Valley Stream woman’s artwork on display

An 89-year-old Valley Streamer’s artwork is on display at the Henry Waldinger Memorial Library until December, which she created, with joy, with the help of her son.

“She is excited that she’s able to inspire other people to do what she does, and that there is no limitation to what a person can do when putting their mind to it,” Tom Avallone said of his mother, Pauline.

She never painted before she lost her sight to macular degeneration. Tom grew up in Valley Stream and returned 10 years ago after years in Aruba, where he was a restaurateur and tourism director. He moved into his mother’s home on Ormonde Boulevard to look after her, and started looking for ways to keep her active. He suggested painting last year, and she took it up.

“What I do is I put a paintbrush in her hand, I take a canvas, I put it in front of her, I ask her the colors she wants, she picks out the colors and we decide to do a montage of colors,” Tom told the Herald in May. “Every time we dip the brush into the paint, I spin [the canvas] 45 degrees and she paints and she brushes until she’s satisfied. Then she says enough is enough.”

Pauline has produced more than 30 abstract paintings, mostly on 4-inch-by-4-inch canvasses. She has also decorated a collection of margarita glasses.

With no formal training — or any real background in art — Pauline manages to create pieces that catch the eye. Be sure to check out Pauline’s artwork and let us know what you think.