Patterson Irrigator

December 2, 2008 Patterson, CA

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Strokes of genius

Written by John Saiz / Patterson Irrigator

Friday, 28 March 2008

Work of Patterson artist hangs at MJC

Patterson resident and artist Steven Reece, has spent the past several months painting a mural of John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr that adorns the courtyard between Modesto Junior College’s departments of art and music. Photo by Elias Funez/Patterson Irrigator

Large portraits depicting the four members of the Beatles are portrayed prominently on the Modesto Junior College campus, and a Patterson artist played a big role in making it happen.

Steven Reece, along with a handful of other dedicated students, worked on the murals since September as part of an independent studies class. The artists are on the verge of finishing the project that consumed countless hours over the past half-year.

“I worked at least a little bit on all of them,” Reece said.

He estimates at his peak he was working on the project close to 16 hours a week.

“We were supposed to work four hours but we’d end up working six,” said Frankie Carone, another student who helped make the murals.

Mural of Paul McCartney. Photo by Elias Funez/Patterson Irrigator

Deborah Barr served as the advisor for the class and made special mention of Reece’s efforts.

“His painting experience was at a higher level,” Barr said.

Reece lived in Patterson briefly in his early teens and three years ago returned when he moved in with his grandparents. The 24-year-old attended Modesto Junior College since 2005 in pursuit of an art degree.

He plans to transfer to San Jose State University by next year.

The paintings started as an idea to adorn the art department courtyard with murals. A smaller one already been posted, but the Beatles images are displayed prominently and attract much of the attention.

Barr had been looking at final projects throughout the department to model the mural on. She decided the images of the four famous musicians would be perfect, because the art department shares the courtyard with the music department.

Barr ran it through the administration, got the OK and started asking students if they’d be interested in joining an independent studies class to make it happen.

“She asked, and I happened to be there,” Reece said.

Patterson resident and artist Steven Reece. Photo by Elias Funez/Patterson Irrigator

About seven students signed up, and about five stayed committed.

“They’re coming in onweekends, after classes, whenever they have free time,” Barr said.

Reece said his interest in art was sparked as a young child by relatives. His grandparents — not those he’s living with now — also taught him how to work with wood.

“When I was young, they taught me how to make toys,” he said.

Reece’s dream job would be as a conceptual artist for either video games or movies, he said.

“As long as I’m still painting or doing art,” Reece added.

To reach John Saiz at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it