"Horse Leanings With Gratefulness"

An abstract art exhibition beginning this Saturday, March 10, at the Ridgway Library with an opening reception from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. of the paintings of Alice Billings, featuring two dozen of her works, and of her father's, the late Jack Ornstein.

Alice Billings has, since the age of four, spent her entire life studying the art world, and living her life empowering others, including, but not limited to, the late actor and humanitarian Dennis Weaver. When Weaver passed away a year ago, ending 32 years of association and support in her capacity as his administrative assistant, Billings asked herself this question: to dedicate or not dedicate herself for the rest of her life, fully as an artist? Plain and simple, with no "buts" or "ifs" or looking back.

"This year I've had to dig deep into my soul. The job situation and all really made me try to figure out what to do with the rest of my life. Over the years, I had used artwork whenever I felt creatively depleted. And in recent years, I have really developed a passion for horses. I use what I know." Billings owns five horses and purchased her first one, a 14 year old named Thunder, in 1994.

"A horse to me is a gift from God," says Alice. That unconditional love and gratefulness from horses is what has been moving Alice Billings in a new direction of late, namely abstract horse paintings.

Born and bred as an artist's daughter, she learned the basics beginning at age 16 at the Art Student's League in Manhattan. Her father, Jack Ornstein, a sculptor, painter, draftsman, and cartoonist, was a source of influence and encouragement. Later on, with an Art Degree from New Paltz of the State University of New York (SUNY) in her back pocket, she taught art a New York elementary school. She had owned an art gallery in Ridgway, which she closed several years ago. "It was a very creative and prolific time," recalls Alice.

"In declaring myself an artist, I want to make my life full. And I learn so much from horses. They're geniuses at non-verbal communication." And now you can experience Alice's own form of communication from March 10 through April 6. Enjoy!