Agawam Community Artists and Artisans spotlight Arnie Paye

Sept. 15, 2021 | Lauren LeBel
llebel@thereminder.com

Arnie Paye sits with one of his paintings.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo

AGAWAM – Each month, the Agawam Community Artists and Artisans (ACAA) spotlights one of its members. For the entirety of September, the Spotlight on Art is Arnie Paye, a Westfield resident and painter who solely uses watercolors.

According to ACAA’s Facebook page, “ACAA provides an opportunity to meet and discuss art related subjects and learn. We have a very congenial group.”

Paye has been a member of the ACAA for over two years. He began painting about five years ago, through the teaching of his neighbor. At the time, he said his friend gave him some watercolors as he was getting out of the practice. On the weekends, Paye took classes with Cathy Guidetti and Marie Flahive in Westfield, along with attending multiple in-person and Zoom workshops.

Prior to his relatively new found passion, Paye worked in aviation. “I retired from a lifelong career in aviation in 2010, after 20 years as a maintenance technician, followed by 24 years in the Federal Aviation Administration as an aviation safety inspector.” Due to retirement, Paye finally found the time to take up art.

His preferences in painting include landscapes and florals. From time to time, he may paint a sailboat or even a horse, but he claimed there are only a few of those.

“Watercolor is a most humbling medium; for as soon as I think I am beginning to understand it, and paint a successful picture, the next project humbles me as a complete failure,” said Paye.

Aside from painting, Paye enjoys scroll saw woodworking. “I’ve done that for about 30 years. It’s a way of relieving pressure,” he told Reminder Publishing. Paye even found a similarity between woodwork and painting: they both require a need to focus.
“[For] how long I’ve been doing this, I’m not an expert… [but] I’m not a beginner. I’m always learning,” added Paye.

Ceil Rossi of the ACAA is responsible for selecting the members for the Spotlight on Art. This form of recognition was created this year, by Rossi, “in order to get them feeling good” and “boost their ego.”

She continued, “If they’re pumped up and they put a lot of time and effort into their art,” then they are selected.

As members of the ACAA continue to grow, Rossi hopes that they can remain in the public's eye and do whatever possible to keep the beauty of art flowing.

For further information about Spotlight on Art or the ACAA, contact Ceil Rossi by phone 207-1247 or email tocarefree2@hotmail.com.

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