Artist brings wax technique to library exhibit

Joyce Fries-Brune is the artist of the month at the Mountain Road Community Library.

Originally from Minnesota, she has degrees in architecture and environmental design from North Dakota State University. She moved to Maryland 10 years ago and has lived in Pasadena for the past nine. An architect by trade, she loves spending time working on her art.

Fries-Brune decided by the fifth grade she wanted to be an artist. Her favorite medium is water colors.

"Water color is way faster; it can take me from a one day to one week to finish," she said.

But it was at North Dakota State that she discovered a technique that may be new to many library patrons: encaustic painting.

With encaustic painting she cuts up big blocks of beeswax and places them into a muffin tin. She then heats them up and adds color to each tin.

Then, using a paint brush or a knife, she works the wax onto a wooden surface where she's drawn an image. She uses a torch to burn it in so it grabs the grain. Depending on the size and the subject matter, it takes her a month or longer to finish a work using the technique.

"I love to do scenery pictures and I like to do people, but they are very hard to do," she said.

Her exhibit will include 17 pieces of her artwork, along with a display case full of silver jewelry.

Fries-Brune has won three national awards for three different pieces of encaustic artwork, including an image of blue crabs in a bushel basket called "Maryland's Bounty."

The library, at 4730 Mountain Road, will hold a reception at 7 p.m.Jan. 15. All of Fries-Brune's artwork can be seen on her Facebook page, JFB Creations She also sells most of her work on her Etsy page.

The opportunity is open to all ages in the Pasadena community to share their artwork during its monthly artist showcase. If you are interested in having your art on display, contact the library at 410- 222-6699.

Fruit sale

The East Anne Arundel Lions Club will be holding its Florida fresh fruit sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Jan. 10 at Community United Methodist Church, 8680 Fort Smallwood Road. Orders need to be placed by Saturday.

They will offer honeybells in half cases and quarter bags, navel oranges, Ruby Red Grapefruit in full cases, half cases and quarter bags and Benson fruit cakes from Georgia, and a wide variety of one- pound nut products including pistachios, cashews, pecans, pecan pieces, walnuts, almonds, mixed nuts, mixed fruit and nuts.

Proceeds benefit the club's vision and hearing projects in the community.

For details, call Cheryl Gifford at 410-255-1128 or Al Kellner at 410-218-6598.

St. Jane happenings

St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church, 8499 Virginia Ave., will hold its drop in high school youth program from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at the parish center.

The group will gather for food, fun and prayer. All high school students are welcome, and parents are invited to stay.

Knights of Columbus will hold its bingo at 7 p.m. Monday in the school hall. Doors open at 6 p.m., and food will be sold.

Catholic Men's fellowship will be held from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the parish center.

For details, call Dave Horvath at 301-213-1197 or Ken Hess at 410- 360-1076.

Library happenings

The Mountain Road Community Library, 4730 Mountain Road, will hold Babies in Bloom at 10 a.m. Monday. This event is for babies from birth to 18 months with their caring adult to enjoy songs, action rhymes and playtime while building early literacy skills.

Toddler time will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday for children ages 18 to 36 months. They will enjoy a variety of developmentally appropriate stories, songs, rhymes and movement activities while building early literacy skills.

Preschool storytime will held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday for children ages 3 through 5. They will build the early literacy skills needed for school readiness through engaging books, songs and activities.

Movie time with Disney's "Ratatouille" will be at 10 a.m.Jan. 10. Come share some popcorn and enjoy this rated-G movie.

For details, call the library at 410-222-6699.

The Riviera Beach Community Library, 1130 Duvall Highway, will hold its first Tuesday family night movie with "Despicable Me 2" at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Toddler time will be held at 10 a.m. Monday for children ages 18 to 36 months. They will enjoy a variety of developmentally appropriate stories, songs, rhymes and movement activities while building early literacy skills.

Preschool storytime will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday for children ages 3 through 5. They will build the early literacy skills needed for school readiness through engaging books, songs and activities.

Babies in Bloom at 10 a.m. Thursday is for ages birth to 18 months with their caring adult to enjoy songs, action rhymes and playtime while building early literacy skills.

Manga Mania from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday is for fans, both new and old, that love the Japanese comics and animation.

For details, call the library at 410-222-6285.

Senior activities

Pasadena Senior Center, 4103 Mountain Road, will hold a free seminar at 10 a.m. Tuesday on life insurance, long-term care, Medicare and information on final expenses conducted by Transamerica Life Insurance Company. Light refreshments will be served.

AARP smart driver course - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesdays. Tune up your driving skills with the nation's first and largest refresher course designed specifically for older drivers. The cost is $15 for AARP members or $20 for nonmembers.

Bingo - 12:30 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. Thursday. Bring a donation for the prize table.

Therapeutic massages - 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday. Receive a mini massage of the neck, back and hands.

Anne Arundel County Literacy Council - 10 a.m. Wednesday. The council is seeking volunteers to work one-on-one with adults who want to learn to read. They will conduct a presentation on the program Wednesday.

Keeping your new year's resolution - 10 a.m. Thursday.

Book Club - 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Friday.

Intermediate bridge - 12:30 p.m. Friday.

Tribute to Elvis performances by Jed Duvall - 12:30 p.m. Friday.

For details, call 410-222-0030.

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