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| Four Seasons Hemet Herald | June 2017 | 29 Patrick Sweeney, Carving, Cabinet I started wood working projects about 15 years ago. I had a very stressful job working with an Engineering and Construction company in Seattle that built large scale power plants. I needed a way to get my mind off of work and at the same time find something that was enjoyable and I could feel I was accomplishing something. I started by buying a scroll saw and doing small project like jewelry boxes and ornaments. I progressed into larger projects making pendulum clocks. I eventually purchased a small wood lathe and started doing small projects such as pens, salt keepers, and salt and pepper mills. I took a four hour training on the lathe but the rest was self-taught. When we rented at Four Seasons last year before buying our house, I wanted to try Gourd Art. Since one of the best places to buy gourds in the U.S. is in Fallbrook it seemed like a logical time to start some projects. Featured Artists Patrick Sweeney displays his gourd carvings Patt Gilliland, Oils I had no artistic talents in school but finally got the itch to try painting when I retired. Taking classes here at Four Seasons has been so much fun — a great learning experience, plus a super way to meet new friends. I'm from Minnesota. Myrna Schmidt, Oils I moved to Hemet in 2010 after living in Orange County for 50 years. I've been painting in oils since 1971 and took classes for 15 years. I like landscapes better than any other subject matter, especially the trees. Ralph Perdomo, Photographer After retiring as a private investigator for thirty-plus years in Atlanta, GA, where I was known for my surveillance photography, I needed a hobby. With the new digital camera, and all the possibilities that go with digital photography, I had to try my hand. After taking some photographs of the lake that I lived on and selling them at a decent price, I was hooked. At the moment there are seven women here at Season's who have participated or are now participating in Ceramics at San Jacinto College. We have senior classes at the Menifee campus. For those of us who have recently joined the classes there are some great hand building projects. Others of our group "throw" on the wheel. Our work is "high fire" or cone 10 level. Pieces fired at this temperature are usually functional ware and can be microwaved and are food safe. Decorative pieces may be "low" fired but can still be used for planters or garden pieces or small sculpture. There is a lot of creativity in this group. ~ Myrna James Four Seasons Women Create In Clay