FITCHBURG — It was clear to see that Sonny Brisebois-Day was feeling a range of emotions at the opening of the exhibit showcasing his paintings at The Highlands assisted living facility.
The 64-year-old self-taught artist was born and raised in the city, graduated from Fitchburg High School (FHS) in the 1970s, and has called the skilled nursing and rehabilitation center on Nichols road home for four years. When Mayor Sam Squailia presented him with a proclamation at the Sept. 28 launch celebrating his art that depicts scenic spots around his beloved city, he was visibly moved.
“It’s all beautiful and it really reflects the city you love,” The Highlands Special Care Unit Program Director Kristi Mendoza said at the Monday afternoon gathering that honored him as the September resident spotlight.
Brisebois-Day had a bright smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye as he spoke about his passion for painting that blossomed in high school and said he looks forward to returning to his creative roots once he is able to.
“I’m waiting until I can really dive into it,” he said of painting again one day.
He paints with acrylics — “oils take so long to dry” — and is particularly fond of creating works of art centered on Coggshall Park, which holds many happy childhood memories for him, “one of his greatest inspirations,” Mendoza said. Brisebois-Day’s paintings currently on display at The Highlands depict various areas at the scenic spot including the Stone House and the gazebo on Mirror Lake.
When asked what he enjoys most about painting, Brisebois-Day quipped “the end,” but he loves doing it and the process. He estimates he has dozens of paintings under his belt and when Friends of Coggshall Park board member Debbie Jeffries came over to take a look at the ones on display and chat with him, she said, “this is amazing.”
Jeffries’ own mother stayed at The Highlands, and she relayed that through the friends group she is part of they have had residents plant daffodils at Coggshall and hosted them there for picnic lunches and other things.
“We are looking forward to seeing that relationship continue,” Jeffries said of the partnership between The Highlands and Friends of Coggshall Park.
Brisebois-Day is the fifth of eight siblings and his brother Billy, sister-in-law Jan, and sister Jackie — also an FHS alum— all live in the area. He said they take good care of him at The Highlands and “do wonderful things” for the people who live there.
A piece in The Highlands September newsletter that Mendoza read explained that his enthusiasm for painting truly grew during his time at FHS. In Mr. Lucas’s art class, he was encouraged to “paint what you see, not what it could be,” and that encouragement he received from his teachers, classmates, and family inspired him to continue developing his gift.
When Mendoza was sharing information about the artist and his background with the group of staff, residents, and others gathered on Monday, she noted “Fitchburg is his muse” and that Brisebois-Day’s mother “shared his love of still life art.” His grandfather was an opera singer in New York City and Brisebois-Day carried on that creative family legacy as a theater actor, singer, and artist.
“He has accomplished so much in the world of art,” said Mendoza, who called his artwork “lovely.”
Brisebois-Day proudly displays his paintings in his room and some of his art can be at The Highlands reception desk where residents, families, and visitors can enjoy his work. He especially loves hearing the compliments people share about his paintings, saying it brings him “great joy and fills my heart.”
He likes sharing his paintings with family and friends and hopes that one day he can share his art with the greater community and at the Fitchburg Art Museum.
Before a group photo was taken with Squailia, Mendoza, Jeffries, and The Highlands Executive Director Mark Ailinger, everyone praised Brisebois-Day for his talents and thanked him for sharing his artwork.
“It’s all beautiful and it really reflects the city you love,” Mendoza said.
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