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Queens Village seniors display original artwork

By Howard Koplowitz

The artists were enrolled in regular painting classes and are not professionals, according to Elaine Fleischman, the center's director. They were allowed to showcase up to five paintings each, either from live studies or copied from picturesAlthough the works are for sale, one painter said she did not want others to buy her paintings.”I'm not interested in selling because nobody would pay the price I would ask for,” said Margaret Freeman, an 85-year-old Douglaston resident. She mentioned that she only sells on consignment and never felt the need to put them up for sale when she was younger. “I didn't have to make money off my paintings because my husband took care of that,” Freeman said.Painting has been her hobby since she was in her 30s, and she has even recently worked with computer graphics to design invitations for her great granddaughter's christening. Freeman contributed two oil paintings to the showÐ one of a bottle of Benedictine that won second place in a contest from the liquor company, the other of a pumpkin. She also displayed a pencil-drawn portrait of her friend Florence. While the paintings were done by amateurs, Sandy Cohen's impressionist landscape work fooled one of her friends.”My friend said it looked like Van Gogh, but I don't think so,” the Bayside senior citizen said. Cohen went on to say that she took an art class at St. John's University's senior program for four years. “I got a few pointers there,” she said. Cohen worked at the painting at home and at her friend Helen's painting class at the Kew Gardens senior center. “I think it's great to encourage older people to do this,” Freeman said of the exhibit.Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 173