SKANEATELES - When more than five women in Sara Davenport's life were battling cancer at the same time, she turned to what she has always done to show her support - she painted.
Sam Tenney / The Citizen
Pat Spillman, seated, receives instruction from Sara Davenport on painting a watercolor during an art class at Davenport's home.
Pat Spillman, seated, receives instruction from Sara Davenport on painting a watercolor during an art class at Davenport's home.
The Skaneateles artist created “Strength and Serenity,” which honors women who have battled breast cancer. She will unveil the painting and auction it off at a show of her work this week at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Auburn. The proceeds from the auction will benefit the Syracuse chapter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Davenport said the title refers to important qualities for people struggling against any obstacle.
“For someone to be strong in their fight, but also have the peace of mind to be serene. It's hard to do both those things,” she said.
The idea for the painting came when the minister's wife at her church, Westminster Presbyterian, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Davenport already had planned the upcoming show at the church and it seemed like the perfect fit to support her friend and all the other women in her life who were going through the same thing.
“It's been a lot in the last few years, so it's just been on my mind,” Davenport said of the women in her life diagnosed with breast cancer. “I thought it would be a nice thing to do.”
When she is not working on her own art, Davenport spends her time teaching art classes out of her basement studio, which she opened four years ago.
“The most exciting part about it was that I started teaching classes, which I hadn't done before,” she said of opening the studio. “I find that very rewarding: passing on what I know and also learning from them.”
The classes range from five to 10 students and each student gets to select what subject and medium they would like to use. She accepts students with various levels of experience.
“Sara makes you feel like anyone can do this,” said Maria Rapasadi, one of Davenport's students, while working on an oil painting of a jug and bread. “She just has a way of making you feel like nothing is a big mistake.”
After creating a blue version of her piece that serves as a sketch, Rapasadi realized that she had placed the bottle too far too one side, leaving no room for the bread.
“I panicked,” Rapasadi said. “Sara just said, ‘OK - but we need to move this.'”
Davenport provides free-flowing direction, said Pat Spillmann, another of her students.
“She is inspiring. She helps me see things that my eyes aren't trained to see,” Spillmann said. “But she isn't so opinionated that she pushes you to do things her way.”
“It makes me really happy to see them succeed,” Davenport said. “I'm proud of them.”
If you go
What: Art Show and sale
When: From 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15
Where: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 17 William St., Auburn
Admission: Free
Davenport said the title refers to important qualities for people struggling against any obstacle.
“For someone to be strong in their fight, but also have the peace of mind to be serene. It's hard to do both those things,” she said.
The idea for the painting came when the minister's wife at her church, Westminster Presbyterian, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Davenport already had planned the upcoming show at the church and it seemed like the perfect fit to support her friend and all the other women in her life who were going through the same thing.
“It's been a lot in the last few years, so it's just been on my mind,” Davenport said of the women in her life diagnosed with breast cancer. “I thought it would be a nice thing to do.”
When she is not working on her own art, Davenport spends her time teaching art classes out of her basement studio, which she opened four years ago.
“The most exciting part about it was that I started teaching classes, which I hadn't done before,” she said of opening the studio. “I find that very rewarding: passing on what I know and also learning from them.”
The classes range from five to 10 students and each student gets to select what subject and medium they would like to use. She accepts students with various levels of experience.
“Sara makes you feel like anyone can do this,” said Maria Rapasadi, one of Davenport's students, while working on an oil painting of a jug and bread. “She just has a way of making you feel like nothing is a big mistake.”
After creating a blue version of her piece that serves as a sketch, Rapasadi realized that she had placed the bottle too far too one side, leaving no room for the bread.
“I panicked,” Rapasadi said. “Sara just said, ‘OK - but we need to move this.'”
Davenport provides free-flowing direction, said Pat Spillmann, another of her students.
“She is inspiring. She helps me see things that my eyes aren't trained to see,” Spillmann said. “But she isn't so opinionated that she pushes you to do things her way.”
“It makes me really happy to see them succeed,” Davenport said. “I'm proud of them.”
If you go
What: Art Show and sale
When: From 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15
Where: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 17 William St., Auburn
Admission: Free
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