With an empty canvas, some people see things that other people do not. Hoisington resident Deb Reif takes that canvas and turns it into something beautiful.
Hoisington Public Library, 169 S. Walnut, has a display of her artwork, ranging from acrylic to charcoal, pencil drawings, and Zen Tangles.
Reif is a life-long resident of Hoisington. Mac and Mayette Keith, her parents, moved to Hoisington in 1945 because her father got a job with the railroad.
The artist has one particular painting that hung in her parent’s house and now hangs in her house, and one day, will hang in her son Shane’s house. The Keiths didn’t have any wedding photos as the photographer failed to produce any from the ceremony when they married mid-twentieth century. Mac was sent to World War II shortly after the wedding. So, Reif gathered old photos and drew a charcoal portrait of their wedding day for their 50th wedding anniversary.
“They didn’t know in advance,” Reif said. “I know they appreciated it, although my mother didn’t think it looked like her.”
Reif started art in high school with teacher Jordan Murray, who motivated her more than anybody to pursue her talent. She still stays in touch with him.
“I learned art from him,“ Reif said. “Ninety percent of what I know I learned from him.”
A senior art student, Reif even did some painting restoration. As a teacher, Reif feels Murray touched her life forever.
Her skill at art became well-known in Hoisington, and for many years, Reif painted windows all over Hoisington, mixing powered tempura paint with water. She started with a witch at Halloween, and moved on to Christmas murals.
“It’s a lot easier now,” she said. Acrylic paint comes in so many colors and is surprisingly easy to get off with a bit of window spray and scraper
She also gave private lessons and still stays in touch with some of the students.
Reif planned to be an art teacher and went to Barton for a couple of years. Life intervened and now art is her hobby.
What she enjoys most is, “the peace that comes with art is very relaxing and fun.”
Besides art, the Reif family is known throughout the area for their work with Kans for Kids. The organization started in October 1994 by her and her husband Duane’s children, Sarah and Shane in 1994. The project was to help with the medical expenses of their 10-month-old cousin, Katie. The project continued and has assisted 45 children, according to the Kans for Kids website.
