‘Dream come true’

The ‘Dream Come True’ exhibit.

Pearl Chiang, RN, a nurse on Matheny’s adult red zone, is also an accomplished artist. Her artwork is currently on exhibit at the Bridgewater Township, NJ, Library through August 30. Chiang became a nurse after her son was diagnosed with diabetes 13 years ago. Her art, she says, helps relieve stress and helps her find inspiration in ways she didn’t know were possible.

Chiang, who has enjoyed painting since she was a child, always starts with a pencil sketch, followed by a watercolor pencil. “Then, after the watercolor pencil,” she says, “I try to use some material such as oil paint or a special effect like embroidery or a pearl to make it come to life.” Chiang’s paintings are always colorful and often depict beautiful women. This exhibit, the third at the Bridgewater Library, also includes paintings of animals and birds. And it’s anchored by a large-scale 3D painting she calls “Mermaid.”

The library is located at 1 Vogt Drive in Bridgewater. Hours are Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Beautiful success

From left, nursing staff members Tammy Culp, Lexie McKevitt, Pearl Chiang, Janice Lori and Nancy Bonello.

Matheny nurse Pearl Chiang’s October art exhibit, “Life is Beautiful,” at The Bridgewater, NJ, library has ended, but the memories of it will linger for those who attended. As previously reported, the display consisted of 30 paintings, which were rotated because the space available could only hold 10.

The exhibit was supported by Chiang’s many coworkers among the Matheny nursing staff and was highlighted by visits from her parents and other relatives from her native Taiwan. Chiang moved to the United States from Taiwan 22 years ago.

In the fall of 2011, she had a 38-painting exhibit at the Art Yards Café in Taipei. And she recently enlisted a group of high school students to assist her in completing a mural, “Paradise,” in the children’s dining room at Matheny.

Pearl’s paradise

Volunteer painters in front of the new kitchen mural, from left: Christian Cook, son of Matheny adult services instructor Claire Torsiello; Audrey Lee; Chiang; Amy Ho; Nicole Schroeder, daughter of Matheny personal care assistant Imelda Schroeder; and Brian Ho.

When Matheny’s dining room committee decided the children’s dining room needed a new look, they called on Pearl Chiang, a nurse at Matheny, who is also a professional artist.

Chiang created a concept called “Paradise” and then recruited young volunteers — including her son and daughter, Amy and Brian Ho — to transform the idea into a mural, using her sketch as a guide. The five teenage volunteers finished the mural in three days.