Patsy Kline - News

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Lebanon Daily News Article 7/28/2008 Artist and musician woman on a mission By JOHN LATIMER Staff Writer Lebanon Daily News Article Launched: 07/28/2008 11:56:27 AM EDT PALMYRA — With a name identical to a legendary country singer, it should come as no surprise that much of Patsy Kline’s life revolves around music. As a girl growing up in Wilkes-Barre , she learned jazz piano from her grandmother and, about 15 years ago, learned the mandolin by taking lessons from local bluegrass teacher Nev Jackson. On occasion, you’ll find Kline picking and grinning at a bluegrass jam session or playing for children at Jubilee Ministries’ cafe on North College Street in Palmyra , where she appears each month at the Jumpin’ Jubilee events. But Kline’s relationship with music is not limited to performing. She is also a talented artist who incorporates musical instruments and musicians into her watercolor paintings. She honed her skills under the tutelage of acclaimed Mt. Gretna artist Larry Lombardo. She also enjoys writing poetry. Often, a portion of the proceeds from Kline’s work go to a charity or a nonprofit organization. At the recent Seven Mountains Bluegrass Association festival in Campbelltown — which Kline helped to organize — the money went to the Easter Seals Foundation. Another example of a painting with a higher purpose is a watercolor she created to benefit the Lawn Fire Co. It has the whimsical name “Beautiful Steamers” and depicts company members Lawrence Reynolds and Butch Bechtel slaving away over a bubbling black cauldron of soup. That print and others can be purchased at Old 2 New Furniture Plus on North Railroad Street in Palmyra , where Kline is exhibiting her work for the next month. Her work is also available online at http://www.patsykline.com or by calling her at 964-3797. Kline, 54, lives in Lawn with her husband of 29 years, Jim, an electrical-maintenance technician for The Hershey Co. They have a grown son, Mark, who lives in the area. Kline spent most of her career putting her artistic talents to more practical use as a mechanical draftsperson and cartographer, mapping underground gas pipelines for Texas Eastern. When the company asked her to relocate to Massachusetts in 2003, she declined, preferring to stay in a place she loves and to pursue her artistic passions. “I love bluegrass, and I love Lebanon County ,” she said, her lips breaking into an ever-present smile. “I feel the need to document the feelings, the tastes, the touch, and the scent of what happens around us that is honorable. ... That oneness with people you are trying to benefit is what I’m trying to depict.” When it comes to what Kline enjoys most — playing the mandolin or painting — there is no contest. “You can lose yourself in playing and not feel the pressure of the end result,” she said, gently strumming her mandolin. “When I’m painting, it is always for a purpose. It is never for my own pleasure. I’m on a mission that has been given to me.” JohnLatimer@LDNews.com —————— Each Monday, “Just Folks” tells the stories of ordinary people who live, work and play in the Lebanon Valley .   Front Page Painting in the photo were Wheel's A' Rollin'  , a painting of Roland White and Beautiful Steamers, the Soup Kitchen at Lawn Fire Company.  Pat is playing her F style Elliott, Number 41, Mandolin.  Pat Waybright is the owner of Old 2 New.   She has given Patsy the ability to sell painting through her shop on N. Main St in Palmyra, PA.