On a cool October evening, life and joy were celebrated in the art of the Simic gallery in La Jolla. Actress and artist Jane Seymour presented many of her works, all reflecting the beauty of moments in everyday life.
As the evening began, there were some last-minute preparations, and then the moment came. What can you expect when an accomplished actress of stage and screen enters into the room? What do you say to a person who examines her own talents like a seasoned appraiser to see how they can be used to improve life around her? Around 10 years ago, Seymour began her artistic talents as a way of getting through a difficult time in her life. Today she continues to use her talents painting with oil and watercolors to inspire others with her heart, and to help others through various charities. She was more than happy to speak with me about any artwork. Without hesitation, I asked her personal feelings about a limited edition print portraying the first kiss with Christopher Reeve, from the film “Somewhere in Time.”
Seymour painted “The Kiss” in a manner that captures feeling that can not be expressed in words. More than just a moment on film, this painting captures the memory of a special person in life. Christopher Reeve, who became paralyzed after a horrific horse-riding accident and died last year, earned a place in her heart through the genuine way he lived and the way he became a true friend. As her life was touched by Christopher Reeve, she continues to touch other lives by donating proceeds from these prints to the Christopher Reeve foundation, which supports research into healing of spinal injuries.
All of Seymour’s work appears to have a common theme of joy for the beauty in ordinary life. Much of this can be seen in her paintings of children that were inspired by time spent with her own. One image is of her son as a child, dressed and ready to play football. Seymour proudly commented about his current achievements in college football. Another shows her twins, as babies, intently looking for bugs in a flower garden. She spoke about how they were always looking for colorful bugs, and were constantly bringing them home. Today they are both 10 years old. She described how a gentleman showed up to work at her current filming location and said that he had found two stray cats and did not know what to do with them. She brought them home to her twins, who promptly named them after themselves. With a smile she confided how she is now concerned that when she calls her twins to dinner, she will turn to find two cats sitting in their chairs!
In art or in conversation, I could easily see Seymour exercise her abilities to touch the lives around us. In our workplaces, in our communities, and in our homes; she reminds that we each have different ways to give something of ourselves to others. For many, this evening was a gift from Jane Seymour that will always be remembered.
I will always remember that we can travel the world in search of beauty and truth, only to find what we seek is back home in our regular lives with the people we love. It is within this beauty that life is eternal.
Jane Seymour’s work can regularly be seen at the Simic Gallery, 1205 Prospect St. For information, call (858) 456-5255.