For Sandra McIntyre, painting isn't just about creating the art. It's about sharing that creative process with others.

The Hilton Head Island resident is a longtime art teacher locally, but she will be having her first solo show at the Society of Bluffton Artists through Oct. 7.

"A Private View" consists of McIntyre's watercolor and acrylic work, ranging from still life to portraiture. She's showed her paintings individually as part of larger exhibits, even winning a blue ribbon at an Art League of Hilton Head show, but this is the first time she's all by herself.

McIntyre, a Florida native, explains how she suddenly started painting again.

Question. How did you first get into art?

Answer. Basically, I was always interested in art. But there were so many artists in my family. It was actually discouraged. In my era, you were a nurse or a teacher. Only after I retired did I start getting into art. My neighbor, Betty, said, "Well, what do you want to do?" I couldn't believe it, I said, "Paint." It just came out. The two of us took lessons together.

Q. Who did you work with?

A. Betty said "I'll find a teacher." We started taking lessons with Peggy Baggett. Peggy went into Seabrook, and we started teaching there, too. We saw some of these people in the last stages of their lives creating these wonderful works of art.

After that I started teaching at (the SHARE senior center). Then I started taking from Ted Jordan (Hilton Head teacher and former Hallmark Cards artist).

Q. This is your first show?

A. I've shown a few individual pieces. This is the first solo show I've ever done. I did a show at the Art Academy and did win a blue ribbon. It was a little girl in a hat. That's my great-granddaughter.

Q. How often are you painting?

A. It's not like I'm painting all the time. I have other things I like to do. I like painting with Ted and other people. I like being around people who like to paint and who think like artists do. You know, we're a little different.

Society of Bluffton Artists

SHARE Senior Center