Arlene Terdina, known to most Sun City residents for her skilled tennis games and killer serve, has another talent.
Terdina’s art, a reflection of her self-taught journey, is a testament to the beauty of nature. Her watercolor paintings, particularly those of flowers, are a sight. As she puts it, “I have done other paintings, but I always find myself drawn back to the beauty of flowers.”
Terdina once lived in Cannon Beach, Oregon. The city has many art galleries; oceanfront views that spark your imagination and inspire paintings.
Arlene Terdina poses with her favorite watercolor painting. (Photo by Christine Such/My Sun Day News)
“We lived there for eighteen years. It was an artsy community,” she said. “I was doing photography for one of the stores, and they wanted to see my watercolors. One of the gallery owners wanted me to display my paintings. I told him I told him I didn’t want to sell any of my paintings. It’s hard to part with them. He did convince me to part with some of the work and they were displayed and sold in that store.”
Terdina’s art is not just a product of her talent, but also a reflection of her personal connections. She has shared her paintings with family and friends, creating a bond through her art.
As she shares, “They will have to wait to get some of the paintings. One of my neighbors loved my painting, and I couldn’t part with it, but I did paint another.”
Family brought Terdina to the Chicago area.
“I loved living in Oregon, but it was time to move to our next adventure,” Terdina said.
After moving to Sun City, Terdina was enticed by the Clay Ground Charter Club’s work and started exploring and creating in clay.
“I took classes for ten years. I remember what Richard Christie said to me when I first started sculpting. ‘I’ll show you how to make a nose.’ That started it all.”
The Clayground displays the works of the members in display cases around the lodges. A few pieces caught the attention of a resident who wanted to buy them. “I did sell a ballerina, but I had to make another one to keep. My granddaughter has her eye on it,” she said.
Terdina’s home is filled with beautiful watercolors and sculptures. A weather-sculpted face is a sculptural rendition of the fisherman from Ernest Hemingway’s classic work “The Old Man and the Sea.” Other sculpted works catches a visitor’s eyes: prominent sculptures of a Native American, pirate, ballerina, Lincoln, Regan, and Einstein are displayed throughout her home.
Terdina has two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, who inspired her to start drawing again. “When my granddaughter was born, she was so beautiful I had to draw her. I started doing portraits,” she said.
Terdina’s journey in art is not just a personal one but also a testament to its accessibility. She encourages everyone to try their hand at art, whether it’s sculpting, drawing, or painting. Her message is clear: “Everyone can do it. You pick up a pencil, grab a sheet of paper, and start.”
