Artists Barbara Everett, left, and Ginny Mancini (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

Barbara Everett poses with two of her portraits that are part of the “Three for the Road” exhibit at TAG. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

PORT CLINTON – When Barbara Everett was invited to attend an art class at a Mentor senior center, she told the instructor she wasn’t interested because “I can’t draw a straight line, and I can’t do perspective.” Then the instructor told her the class included lunch.

“Lunch – that I can do,” she said.

Everett “went for lunch” and discovered two things: an intense art talent and a new friend, Ginny Mancini. Everett and Mancini began painting together and traveling to different locales for plein art opportunities, including joining “The Group,” a collaboration of artists who gather weekly for plein air painting around Ottawa County. Everett and Mancini created together so often that they named themselves “Two for the Road.” The friends are currently featured, along with local artist Roberta Gedert Meister, in the exhibit “Three for the Road,” at The Arts Garage (TAG) in Port Clinton.

“We clicked right away and started doing things together,” Mancini said. “We drive out here from Cleveland to paint with The Group,” Mancini said. “We found The Group online and fell in love with all the people.”

Both women have several pieces in the exhibit, including portraits, florals, and landscapes. Everett’s oil painting, “Fun at the Zebra Bar,” is a lovely and lively scene inspired by the Zebra Bar in Florida that she frequents with her husband.

“We love to go there. People come from the theater and sing,” Everett said. “I call myself a painter of fun.”

Mancini now teaches the senior center art class that launched Everett’s journey into art. Mancini’s work at the TAG exhibit includes a dreamy portrait of an old friend.

“She was an actress who passed away,” Mancini said.

Ginny Mancini created this pastel painting to honor her late friend, an actress. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

The women’s work has been featured in many exhibits, but they were especially happy to be part of an Ottawa County show.

“This is our favorite place to paint,” Mancini said. “We even do a weeklong retreat on Johnson’s Island. We just have a whole lot of fun.”

The “Three for the Road” exhibit runs through Oct. 4 at TAG, located at 317 W. Perry St. in Port Clinton. For more information, visit www.gpcaac.org.