Artists in residence - Chesterfield, that is
By Susan Nienow CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Michael Bollinger describes his artistic style as surreal abstract.

While Chesterfield isn't known for its arts and culture, the county is home to its share of artists and a growing creative community.

Artists in Chesterfield take art classes, go on retreats with well-known artists, and regularly display their work during regional shows. But they also go to their day jobs. Few can survive on their artists' income alone.

For the following Chesterfield artists, nursing, teaching and dental technology may pay the bills, but their art pays their souls.

Michael Bollinger Abstract painter/illustrator

Michael Bollinger is a self-taught artist who was inspired by the human form at an early age. He took art in middle and high school, and then went on to receive a degree in dental technology. Though he attended classes through Virginia Commonwealth University's arts program, he works in his family's dental lab with his father and brother.

He feeds his creative side by painting, illustrating and writing. He has published "The Abstract Journal," a collection of essays, illustrations and journal narrative. It can be found at www.trafford.com.

Marti Fann incorporates the mediums of ink, collage and found objects in her watercolor paintings.

Bollinger has had shows at the Richmond Public Library, Visual Arts Studio, Gallery 5, Rower Books and Area 51.

"I like art that makes you think," he explained. "As my life changes, my art changes. I was more frantic and chaotic before [but] am calmer now." He refers to his style as surreal abstract.

When he is not working or painting, he runs or rides his bike. "I like to travel, take road trips and take a sketchbook. I like to draw unsuspecting faces out in public," Bollinger said.

Marti Franks Watercolor artist

Marti Franks, age 63, had never taken any art classes but had always been intrigued with the idea of working with watercolors. About 10 years ago, she decided to explore this interest. It became her passion.

"I devoted a lot of time to it - went to workshops each summer with nationally-known artists, took classes and painted. Watercolor is the most difficult of all mediums. Watercolors have a life of their own. You can't paint over anything - they are transparent."

Marti Franks uses her artistic talents to teach others how to paint with watercolors.

Her subjects are floral arrangements, landscapes and city scenes. She has exhibited at Crossroads Gallery, Joe's Inn and the Art Affair. She won an honorable mention for her painting of sunflowers at the 2007 Maymont Flower and Garden Show.

But it's her teaching that has been most rewarding. She teaches beginner and intermediate/ advanced painting classes to seniors at the Lifelong Learning Institute. Her students include recent widows who tell her painting has "added new meaning to life."

Now she splits her energy between her job as president of the Bon Air Artists Association and her painting. With 140 members, the club is extraordinarily active. They meet regularly from September to June with attendance totaling about 80-90 members per meeting. The club has a yearly show and exhibits paintings at the James Center, SunTrust, the Riverfront Plaza and several restaurants such as Joe's Inn.

Marti Fann Mixed media

Matoaca resident Marti Fann has been painting since she was a child. When she was raising her own children, she took classes - never giving up painting but unable to devote much time to it. She took it seriously when she retired from nursing about 10 years ago.

Fann has taught for the Chesterfield Department of Parks and Recreation through its seniors program and was chairman of the Bon Air Artists Association yearly art show for five years. "I love doing workshops," said Fann.

But she left that behind when she realized she was always working on deadlines instead of putting herself in her art.

She calls her medium "mixed water" - a combination of ink, collage, found objects and watercolor.

"I don't want to paint a flower," she declared. She prefers warm, soft colors and creates abstract landscapes. Her Web site is www.martifann.com.

Want to explore your own creative side? The county's Parks and Recreation Department, the Lifelong Learning Institute and John Tyler Community College all off er art classes. Information on the Bon Air Artists Association is available by visiting www.bonairartists.com.