Jim Brownrigg can’t help it.
He’s addicted, and probably will be for the rest of his life.
And he doesn’t mind at all.
Brownrigg’s addiction, he explained, is to art.
“I’ve tried to stop,” he said with a laugh. “But I just can’t. It’s probably how some people feel about smoking.”
Brownrigg has several of his oil and acrylic paintings, wood carvings and pencil and ink drawings on display this month at Works of Art Studio and Gallery in Humboldt.
He’ll greet the public at a reception and artist’s demonstration from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the studio, 103 S. Ninth St.
Brownrigg, 80, is known to most in the area because of his mode of transportation.
He no longer drives, instead opting to ride his bicycle from his home south of Iola.
Brownrigg averages 20 miles or so a day, and stays home in inclement weather.
It’s sitting at home that the ideas start to roll.
“And once I get an idea in my head, it’ll stick there until I draw it out,” he said.
His favorite media remains drawing.
“Drawing is the basis for everything,” Brownrigg said. “Besides, I don’t like the smell of oil.”
He’s especially fond of “capturing junk,” doing still life portraits of random pieces of machinery.
“I love junk,” he said. “It’s fun to try to figoure out how to do things with stuff people throw away.”
He hopes to continue drawing, and riding, for years to come.
Despite his advanced age, Brownrigg remains active as ever.
“I’m reading a book on how to feel 26 years younger,” he said with an other laugh. “At this point, I’ll make it to 150.”
Passion keeps artist going
