Local artists gather for creative inspiration in Baldwin

As Mark Greenberg sat motionless at the front of the Baldwin Park Administration Building room, a group of aspiring artists surrounded him, focusing intently on their drawings as they attempted to replicate his likeness.

This is a typical Friday for the Long Island Portrait Group, which was created in 1984 by Edith Stein, Irv Abrams, and Muriel Wasserman. Eventually, Michael Racanelli from Lynbrook joined the group in 2009 and took it over in 2014.

Artists of all skill levels come together to draw a live model using the materials and tools of their choice. Models are featured for two consecutive weeks, allowing artists to either focus on one piece over the two weeks or to draw in the first week and paint the same subject in the second week.

Patrice Gianaca, 72, of Freeport, has been a member for about three years. Although she has no art background, she found a new hobby after joining.

“When I retired, I decided I was going to reinvent myself,” Gianaca said. “So I started taking classes.”

Although the group is not a class, members do help each other. She said she’s learned a lot from the more experienced artists in the group.

Debbie Hausman, 73, of Lido Beach, also has no formal artistic background but has always appreciated art and even pursued it as a hobby in her 20s and 30s. She joined the group three years ago.

“The group is great, the people are great, and it’s just fun,” Hausman said. “It’s not a teaching class, but everybody’s really helpful. It’s a nice place to experiment.”

Noel Darvie, 74, of Valley Stream, has been in the group for about 13 years. Art was not his profession, but like many in the group, it became a passion. He is a landscape painter but loves to do portraits, too. He studied art in night classes in his 20s, has had some gallery shows, and sold some of his work.

 “I like to work from life, not from photos, to capture the moment,” he said

Greenberg recalled being approached by Racanelli in a restaurant and asked if he wanted to be a model.

“I thought it was a joke, but he was serious,” Greenberg said. “I tried it, and I liked it.”

As Greenberg sat front and center for the September 20 session, he focused on a dot on the wall to maintain his position. While everyone took periodic breaks, he found it challenging to sit still for extended periods.

Over time, he has developed strategies to stay calm and help the artists capture his likeness. His secret to keeping himself occupied is mentally organizing his to-do list.

For more information on how to join, can contact Racanelli at (516) 732-9379.