Senior Artist Finds her Muse in Isabel the Cow

As an English professor at Santa Fe Community College, Valerie D’Ortona was constantly held to a high standard of professionalism. But the always prim, proper and poised D’Ortona now lets it “all hang out” in her paintings.

D’Ortona’s creation, “Isabel’s World,” features a happy cow named Isabel and her farm friends. The original, abstract animal paintings are laid back and fun, which is reflected in D’Ortona’s personality. In fact, she considers Isabel to be the muse of all her paintings, as well as her alter ego.

The casual, free lifestyle Isabel represents is comforting and exemplifies a balancing act, which most people can relate to, D’Ortona, 63, explained. The paintings are inspired by real life events, stories friends share, observations and even some subconscious eavesdropping.

One series of paintings was inspired by two “biker chicks” who stopped by the Gallery Under the Oaks exhibit in Micanopy, where D’Ortona occasionally works. Charmed by her work, they requested she paint a pair of cows that resembled them. Under the broad theme that is Isabel’s World, D’Ortona did.

The bold acrylic and water paints that depict psychedelic images such as purple palm trees and neon frogs have invited room for D’Ortona’s experiments in creativity. Other themes featured in the series of paintings are ice cream, Isabel’s cat friends, mermaids and a wedding. D’Ortona also is hoping to publish a children’s book based on her beach series.

D’Ortona has not been a lifelong painter — far from it. Even a couple years ago she thought doodling was the extent of her artistic ability, she joked. When she moved back to Gainesville in 2003, her son encouraged her to take some art classes to “stay out of trouble,” she said with a laugh.

Soon after signing up for some watercolor and acrylic classes, she began creating works that caught her instructor’s attention. One day an instructor came in with a Hallmark card illustrated with stick cows. D’Ortona remembers the teacher remarking, “This looks like what you draw.” Since then she proudly stuck to drawing cows.

However, D’Ortona has never spent time around farm animals. She did not grow up on a farm and she does not have any pets. “I don’t know where these things come from,” D’Ortona said.
One of the most important things D’Ortona said she has taken from this experience is the ability to take risks. She never would have discovered her artistic ability if she had not put her work out there. With age comes boosted self-confidence, she said, which has helped her success.

“Be bold and go for it!” are the choice words D’Ortona has for Seniors like herself. Through painting she has found a way to relax and lose herself. There is a chance that everyone can find similar happiness through other hobbies, and it beats complaining about being bored, she said.
It has been a great experience since it all started, D’Ortona said. She also feels that the art workshops give people a chance to connect.

“Week after week, we learn about one another's lives; as friendships grow, we form close bonds of care and concern. Sometimes, friendships continue outside the workshops — people meet for lunch or go painting together; they e-mail and phone one another. A genuine sense of community is established,” she said.

Of course, with praise also comes some criticism. Some people look at her paintings and mock them, saying, “Well, my kids can do that.” D’Ortona said she just accepts their viewpoint and replies with, “But they didn’t.”

D’Ortona’s paintings are sold in more than eight venues around the north central Florida area as well as on the Web. The images from Isabel’s World are also available on calendars, mugs and greeting cards.

So many people tend to take themselves too seriously and need to do more laughing, D’Ortona said. With Isabel’s world, she hopes to invite people in to smile a while.
As D’Ortona likes to say, “May the MOO be with YOU!”