By Reina Newton Tefs 02/09/2005

Jane Seymour (center) tells the story about "Reflecting in Monet's Garden" to exhibit sponsor PNC Advisors Regional President Robert T. Saltarelli and his wife Janet at the private cocktail reception at von Liebig Art Center on Feb. 2.

Emmy and Golden Globe award winner and OBE (Officer of the British Empire) recipient Jane Seymour turned to painting 14 years ago to work through a difficult time. Since she had children to support, she could not allow herself to fall apart. The more pain and turmoil she felt, the more serene her paintings became.

When I looked at her paintings, I felt like I was looking into her soul. Some paintings vibrate with bold colors. Others emanate tranquillity. She paints in different styles including Impressionism and earned respect from her peers. Seymour's paintings stand on merits independent of her fame as an actor.

At the private cocktail reception at von Liebig Art Center on Feb. 2, Seymour spoke with people in a gracious and straightforward manner. One hundred guests enjoyed champagne and gourmet hors d'oeuvre catered by Pepper's Fine Foods as they viewed her watercolor and oil paintings. Many were from her private collection including Johnny Fireman and Kris Cowboy which are portraits of her 9-year-old twin sons John Stacy and Kristopher Steven Keach when they were younger.

"I started painting by accident," Seymour said and explained how she got into painting.

Divorced and almost destitute, Seymour said she gave her last pennies to charity when she bid on a painting at an event to help abused children. When the artist came to her home and noticed finger paintings she had done with her children, he suggested that she take lessons. She told him she could not afford to purchase supplies, so he gave her lessons for free.

"Painting is magical," Seymour said. "I became addicted and painted my way out of a bad situation."

Actor, author, home fashions and clothing designer for adults and children are among Seymour's accomplishments. But her main priority is her family. She also uses her celebrity status to help children around the world who are victims of abuse or disease.

Wherever she goes, Seymour takes her brushes and paints. Flowers and gardens inspire her. She painted Reflecting in Monet's Garden when she and husband James Keach visited Giverny, France. James dressed as Monet and filmed her while she painted. Lavender ­ and fuchsia ­ colored flowers surrounded Seymour who wore a white period dress and painted herself standing on the turquoise bridge which spanned the lily pond. She gazes into the water reflecting. The garden's beauty and peacefulness draws you in.

In contrast to that serene scene, Monet's Home invites guests to stroll over a path strewn with light and shadow. Flowers in bold complimentary colors border the walkway which leads to the partially secluded home. This strong composition glows with warmth.

PNC Advisors Regional President Robert T. Saltarelli, whose company sponsored the event, said that he wanted PNC to get more involved with art in the community. Naples Art Association (NAA) President Pat Scoville said that NAA had formed a partnership with Galerie du Soleil, which exclusively represents Jane Seymour in Naples, and had worked together before. Galerie du Soleil Executive Director Frank Russen, who escorted Seymour to the reception, said that proceeds will benefit NAA. Seymour, who donated a painting for a raffle, appeared at his gallery on Feb. 3.

Seymour's paintings will be on exhibit at von Liebig Art Center until Feb. 27. For information call 262-6517.

©Naples Sun Times