SERVICE ABOVE SELF


NOVEMBER 2019: ISSUE 127


ON Tuesday 29th October, member James Yule introduced speaker George Finley, a well known artist who is also a member of the St Andrews Rotary Club. George began his career as a military artist during his time as a cadet at the US West Point Military Academy. He went on to undertake hundreds of


caricature-style paintings, landscapes and portraits from his postings in Vietnam, Germany and other locations before retiring from active service in 1983. He now divides his time between St Andrews and Germany, where his children and grandchildren now reside. A master of many different artistic styles and techniques George devised a unique method of putting his works on card, board, canvas, murals on walls and friezes which occupy the entire length of four walls. He explained that all of his works encapsulate his lifelong theme and passion, that of inspiring people to talk, live and work together to make the world a better place. This new technique, known as ‘The New Line’, was shown to the audience in a comprehensive slide show and presentation of original paintings and prints. Briefly, it involves the use of G e o r g e ’ s o w n invention – a glue gun converted to stream paint and resin into a white line - with which he then paint s a complete picture, of whatever size, in one continuous motion. The results are in many cases qui te


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s tunning. Af t e r pr epa r ing the background, George adds his white line work, mainly showing people of all nationalities, creeds and religions in outline, obviously bonding together. As a dedicated Rotarian, George has travelled to many parts of the world to use his art – and often its financial rewards – to set up, fund and support projects in disadvantaged areas. When asked if his self-invented glue gun artistic tool had a name, George referred to an article in a German newspaper which described it as ‘The Weapon for Peace’. Having done some due diligence prior to giving a vote of thanks, President John revealed that George, al though American born and bred, had a great grandfather who hailed from just down the road in Kilconquhar. George’s work, he added, gave an enormously worthwhile message about the need for peace and harmony in mankind.


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