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There's an oil painting exhibit on display at the new Vitalize Wellness Center in Chisago City that stretches along the curved wall opposite the elevator, as you step out onto the second floor. The exhibit opened at the end of November and closes the end of this month. The Vitalize Center venue is an ideal location to showcase this collection for obvious reasons; the artist resides just across the parking lot, at Lakeview Apartments and the works are visible reminders that the ethereal components of one's "vitality" things like passion and creative expression, matter.

Artist David Hopkins explains that he chooses his painting subjects mostly for their character and place in history but the scene also must evoke "stories." His paintings capture simpler times he recalls either straight from memory as a youngster growing up around this area, or from photos he often uses as the basis for his works. "I like moments in time, I feel like I'm preserving history," he shared.

Hopkins' paintings are subtly quirky and complex. They are uncluttered and bright. They are a lot like the artist himself.

Hopkins-- whose hands are paralyzed also relies on a motorized wheelchair to get around. He got introduced to oil painting by Gail Karcher. She was working with Parmly Lakeview Apartments residents in a ceramics class and she suggested that Hopkins might want to give oils a try.

"I decided I liked putting my thoughts out there in a painting," he said.

Hopkins earned a living as a carpenter before a vehicle crash put him onto a different life course decades ago. He says he found pursuing art "kept me busy" and he enjoyed attending shows, meeting other artists. "It's kept me going."

A couple of Hopkins' paintings have been reproduced for a Snyders Drugstore calendar and the Smead Corp. also featured his art on its corporate holiday greeting card. One is scheduled to be on display soon at the Spinal Cord Clinic in the Twin Cities Veterans Administration facility. He has painted many portraits by request and his latest project underway in his apartment is an oil painting of his niece and her soon-to-be husband, a wedding gift. He also has painted pets for friends and family and he nails animal expressions, wild or domestic. One painting that's especially sweet; a Monarch butterly sits atop the huge head of a grumpy-looking long haired orange cat. Hopkins said he decided the pesky butterfly would help to explain the cat's demeanor.

He estimates he's done 200 some paintings, he knows where about 100 of them are. Many hang in the hallways at Parmly Lakeview Apartments. He also enjoys locating the frames for his paintings. Criteria is that they need to be suited to the subject matter and tone of the image.

To paint, Hopkins braces the paintbrush between his two fists, with the brush resting in the valley between his thumb and index finger. He can change directions and angles using his teeth to transfer the brush to another position. "It's about balance," he states. He signs with his first and last name.

Hopkins' well-rounded life includes physical activities. He participates in Chisago Lakes Lanes' adaptive bowling sessions, plays table tennis and he's hoping to get really good at a recent hobby-- air rifle sports. (The specialized rifle is fired with a mouth activated trigger.) He is tentatively planning (health permitting) to go to Spokane, Wash. in several months to participate in the Paralyzed Veterans Games.

A chance to learn more

Parmly LifePointes is working in collaboration with the Minnesota Creative Arts and Aging Network to facilitate discussion and action involving older citizens in artistic endeavors. The topic "The Creative Power of Aging" is the theme for a program at the Vitalize Wellness Center Wednesday, January 28. The MnCAAN will make a presentation and invites any interested people to attend, free of charge. The session is scheduled from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hopkins plans to be there.

Parmly is one of 12 sites in the state that are involved with the network promoting this initiative to expand creativity for older Minnesotans. Seating is limited so call Vitalize Center by Jan. 26 at 257-7957 to save a spot.

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