Lyn Semeta - JoAnn Rossi

INSPIRING EACH OTHER ART EXHIBIT AT CENTRAL LIBRARY IN HUNTINGTON BEACH

By Chris MacDonald

What's your inspiration? For some, it's a family member. Lyn Semeta became an artist because of her mother, JoAnn Rossi, 84, who took up painting 25 years ago, after raising 4 children & retiring as a therapist.

"I saw how much fun mom was having & how gifted she was in her paintings," said Semeta, a mother, attorney & Huntington Beach Mayor Pro Tem. "Seeing her create, inspired me to give it a try, and I too, took some art classes."

Both ladies developed into award-winning painters and 70 of their intriguing pieces are featured in the HB Central Library Corner Gallery through August 28th. Their exhibit is appropriately titled, "Inspiring Each Other." It may even be the first mother-daughter art exhibit in library history.

Rossi, a Minnesota native, who ended up in Seal Beach, often features travel. Some of her exhibited works include, "Havana Swing," "Santa Cruz Mission" and "Nova Scotia." Her musical art has titles like, "Brass at Rest," "Havana Club" and "Gershwin Music."

She made a real, cool-looking Mardi Gras mixed media piece, featuring fun, festive, colorful faces, feathers & strategically-placed ping pong balls.

One of her most interesting paintings is "Sinking Boats." It's a fascinating composite, using bits & pieces from some of her other art. She cut and pasted palm trees, buildings & a variety of other items to create an eye-catching piece.

Semeta chose some fascinating titles for her work, such as "Communion," "Contemplation," "Conversation," "Connection." Lyn has become known for her award-winning series of "Faceless Ladies"--water media & watercolor.

One of her earlier "ladies" won First Place at the Sunset Beach Art Festival. The intriguing ladies have blank faces. "You can put your own personality in them," she said. "I love the relationships between women—how they inspire each another."
"I never thought I had any art talent but my mom really inspired me as I watched her work get better and better and better. I started taking classes. My daughter, Lauren, also now paints with me."

One of Semeta's most intriguing pieces is "Flourish," which highlights rice paper and even broken windshield glass that she recycled from the library's parking lot.

The creativity shown by Rossi & Semeta is astounding and appreciated by both art experts & the general public.

Internationally-known watercolorist Bill Anderson of Anderson Art Gallery in Sunset Beach said he was delighted to see the mother & daughter's skills. "I like the individuality of their work and their willingness to take chances to be creative," said the veteran art show judge.
Several people left comments in the library gallery comment book. "If I could, my walls would be covered with your work. Thank You for allowing us to view greatness," wrote W. White. "I love it all," documented Marsha Hindler. Some additional comments were: "Beautiful show!," "Collage is outstanding" and "...We had to see it again!"

May their artwork inspire others to paint.