Jack Brandon, a retired middle school teacher from Havre, is now using his teaching skills at the Chinook Senior Center to help seniors learn to paint. For the past few weeks Brandon has been offering a watercolor painting class. The class is open to all, regardless of experience level in painting. Currently the classes are focusing on learning watercolor painting. Brandon says eventually he would like to help seniors learn additional techniques that could be used in other types of painting. It goes without saying his thirty-four years of teaching have equipped him to share his passion for painting.

Brandon says he is strictly "a self-taught painter." Noting he's an avid reader and likes to learn about new things he added, "At some point as an adult I decided to learn to paint." He watched Bob Ross paint on television and read books about painting. He admitted he was intrigued by painting. In addition to his teaching as a career, he taught painting at the Havre Boys and Girls Club.

According to Center Director Ginger Hansen, Jack Brandon "just showed up one day at the Center. I knew him from my time working in Havre." He had lost his wife a few months earlier and after several visits to the Chinook Center he told Hansen, "I'm addicted to this place where we can be silly and have fun." It didn't take long before he stepped up and offered to share his passion for painting with other seniors. Brandon, who grew up in Chinook, still has many connections and acquaintances in the area.

The painting classes at the Chinook Senior Center

The painting classes that Brandon has started are open to anyone regardless of their experience level as a painter. He provides all the brushes, tools, paints and paper for the class. He laughed and said, "I have lots of brushes. Over the years brushes have been kind of a passion with me. I have brushes and tools for most any style and technique related to painting as an art form."

The first classes at the Center are about using watercolors for painting. Jack said he hopes to eventually add other types of painting for the students who stick with the classes. He explained, "Most of my paintings are landscapes but I am willing to help students who want to paint other types of subjects." He shared how at one time he was painting Christmas cards to send to friends and family. He said that over time producing the cards became such a big task he had to stop making them.

For Jack Brandon the social aspects of painting are also important for seniors. He said, "I want the students to enjoy as they learn and to appreciate what they accomplish. There's nothing better than painting around a table, sharing about what we are painting." From his own experience he knows the value of the camaraderie among seniors shared while painting. Many of Jack's family members are in to painting as well. His daughter, Jenny Friede, will be attending the classes with him to paint and share her knowledge of painting with students.

The painting classes meet each Wednesday at 1pm at the Chinook Senior Center. Jack said the typical class "will last about two hours or less." Seniors interested in joining the class are encouraged to come for lunch at noon, before the classes start at 1pm. To reserve a lunch, call the Center at 357-2648. Best to call the day before but even a call before 10am on the day of the class will help with the meal preparations.