Artwork at John Muir Medical Center, Brentwood Campus

Contra Costa Times

It is wonderful to have a fine health care facility such as Brentwood Medical Center. The John Muir Medical Center provides a variety of outpatient health care services in a convenient location.

As I write, I am sitting in the Medical Time Share Suite. I have had the pleasure of getting to know Kathy Horton. She is the charming and efficient woman who makes sure this department runs smoothly. Bay Area doctors are extending their medical practices by using the examination rooms and resources of this part of the medical center. She is quick to tell me she "does what she does with the help of her wonderful volunteers." The doctors who use this facility are in good hands because of Horton's passion for her job.

I am here because I want to enjoy the beautiful paintings on the walls of the waiting room of this suite. I am captivated by the beautifully framed artwork done by Mary Burke. Horton was able to choose the ones for this suite. I arrived early, so she had the time to take me into the examination rooms so I could see each of them.

Horton and I stopped to enjoy one of her favorites. A woman is hanging out her wash. You can almost see the white sheets blowing in the wind. It is a simple depiction of an ordinary task. For centuries, women have done laundry, and Horton and I could share this moment as we saw it from the eyes of the artist. Horton's warm manner and generous hospitality are representative of all the staff and volunteers who work in the building.

Burke's paintings are all over the three-story building. Her husband, Paul Burke, donated 270 paintings to this facility. After doing some research, I discovered Paul lives near me in Summerset. I was able to walk to his home, sit down in his living room and learn more about the artist and her collection.

Mary was born in 1916 and died in 2004. As a child she lived on the lower East Side of New York and was one of eight children. She and Paul were married for 61 years and had two children, Bob and Lorraine. She also had a distinguished career as assistant to the superintendent of Edgemont School District. Paul credits her for being a good mother, and the family has many memories of gathering around her table enjoying holiday meals.

Paul describes Mary as "the fastest drawer in the West." It's interesting he would say the West when she began her art training in her native New York while studying with Dale Meyer and Mario Cooper at the Art Students League of New York City. After she won several awards in several local shows, she was chosen artist-of-the month in a Westchester County art show in 1974 and again in 1975. She had three one-woman shows prior to moving to Walnut Creek where she continued to paint. Her son, Bob Burke, shared with me about his mother. He believes it was "her way to express her creative side."

He also said she especially needed to paint when she moved to California. She missed her friends, and it was then she became the "fastest drawer in the West." Bob describes his mother as "a character" in the best sense of the word. "She was one of a kind."

Mary's work continued to be noticed as she won top awards in juried shows in the Bay Area, including the San Francisco Art Festival. A reviewer classified her as one of the "county's most outstanding artists." Her versatility is indicated also by membership in Contemporary Artists of the Bay Area and the National League of American Pen Women. Other critics have said of Mary's work that her wet-on-wet technique creates startlingly beautiful effects and her work reflects her joy in painting and her zest for living. Her floral and landscape painting and beautiful use of colors are inspiring.

Lynda Dann hung most of Mary's hallway paintings. Dann, who did the murals for the building, is both a painter and muralist. She describes Mary's work as "stunning."

"I am floored by her diversity and range of subject and water color technique," she said.

We both agree her pictures help to provide a magnificent art gallery in an unexpected place -- a medical facility.

If you want to check out Mary's art, visit the Brentwood Medical Center at 2400 Balfour Road.

Donna Foster is a Brentwood resident. Her column publishes every Wednesday. Reach her by e-mail at dfosterd@sbcglobal.net

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(Posted March 17, 2006)