February 25, 2005

An artist with a purpose

By Donna H. Eliason
Staff writer

The thin, toothless Chinese man slumped in his seat, oblivious to the crowd hustling around the Beijing airport. His deep-lined faced and hunched-over shoulders indicated a difficult life. He sat motionless, watching an artist sketch him.

Ed Eliason, above, is a prolific sketcher and painter, with subjects ranging from windmills in Holland to elephants in Thailand. He painted the work above in China.

Long-time Evergreen resident, Ed Eliason, was waiting for a plane to Xian when he noticed this man. Ed pulled out his pen and art pad from his backpack. “I saw depth and purpose in this man’s face that I wanted to capture on paper.

Before starting, I smiled and showed him my art materials. I wasn’t sure if he understood, but he didn’t object when I started drawing.”

With quick, confident strokes, Ed sketched the man’s outline first, then filled in the details. A group of men gathered around, discussing their observations with animated gestures. Some seemed surprised this man was the chosen subject.

Ed sat at the edge of his seat as he sketched, stopping periodically to study the man. About 30 minutes later, he signed the completed picture. No one could understand Ed’s request for the man’s name until a nearby student intervened.

She wrote the man’s name under the drawing. Ed handed him the picture. The man shook his head “no,” and pushed away the sketch. He seemed to think there was a mistake until someone explained this was a gift. Ed smiled again and handed him the picture.

For several minutes the man didn’t move. Tears glistened in his eyes. He stood up, tucked the sketch under his arm, and placed one hand on top of his other one, to shake Ed’s hand. Even though Ed didn’t know much Mandarin, and the man didn’t know any English, his joy and appreciation were obvious.

“I’ve had many blessings and good things happen throughout my life. Now it gives me great pleasure to give my art away, assuming nothing in return, but the unexpected happiness in someone’s eyes,” says Ed.

New career
Until five years ago, neither sketching nor painting had any part in Ed’s life. For many years he served as a minister in several California churches, and eventually became the founding pastor of Evergreen Valley Church on Yerba Buena Avenue.

“I saw depth and purpose in this man’s face that I wanted to capture on paper. Before starting, I smiled and showed him my art materials. I wasn’t sure if he understood, but he didn’t object when I started drawing.”

After retirement, Ed realized he was spending much time waiting for people or events. There were bank and grocery store lines, waiting time before meetings, dinners and general life. One day he decided to use his time sketching. At first he used blank envelopes, then 3 by 5-inch cards.

“I was frustrated with all the waiting until I started drawing. Then time just flew,” said Ed.

His sketches were so good his family encouraged him to take an art class at the Evergreen Community Center. His instructor, Doug Wright, supported his talents and urged him to use larger paper.

Ed’s art background was limited to a three-year mechanical drawing class at Albany High School in the East Bay. From these classes he learned to use depth and perception in ways that enhance his artwork and extend his creativity.

Now he is a prolific sketcher and painter, with subjects ranging from windmills in Holland to elephants in Thailand to children in San Jose. No day is so busy that Ed can’t squeeze in time for his art.

“I like knowing my art is hanging in many countries, but it’s more important for me to know that my work is an effective bridge that transcends language and cultural barriers.”