THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 7, 1995 TAG: 9505060116
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Janelle La Bouve
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
The sunburn on her neck didn't bother Mary Pepe. But when the wind blew her ladder over and left her stranded on a 5-foot scaffold, Pepe was a bit frustrated. She didn't want to jump and risk injury, so she began waving her arms to attract passers-by on Battlefield Boulevard.
A man walking past the restaurant stopped and set her ladder back in place, so she was able to get down.
When the incident occurred, she was painting a mural on the North side of Andrea's Restaurant in Great Bridge.
Although she teaches full-time at Moyock Elementary School, Pepe was delighted to accept the commission to paint a Sicilian scene on the restaurant's wall. So, during spring break, the first-grade teacher donned her painterly duds and set to work.
Hours of research went into the project.
``I had a lot of nights of anxiety over this,'' said Pepe. ``I could visualize it.''
The project took about 50 hours.
The festival scene includes a procession of revelers in brightly colored Sicilian costumes. The sky is summer-day blue. Tall brilliant green grasses blow in the breeze. A dark-haired woman waves a tambourine above her head. A man is playing an accordion. A black lamppost stands in stark contrast to the bright hues. Tiny sailing vessels in red, green, yellow, orange, blue and hot pink sit idly on a clear blue-green sea.
Olive trees with purplish leaves cover the hillside near a church. In the distance, a shepherd leads his sheep.
When she was satisfied with her design, Pepe sketched out the scene on paper.
``She wanted to see if we'd like it,'' said Binicio Fabbrizi. He and his wife, Vincenza, own the restaurant.
``We came from Sicily. The scene is typical Sicilian,'' he said. ``Inside the restaurant, we have a small carriage like the one she painted. Mary got the details from that. We like it and hope it lasts. We are going to add some lights so it can be seen at night.''
Full name: Mary E. Pepe
Hometown: Long Island, N.Y.
Fond childhood memories: ``Growing up near the beach on Long Island. I have always been interested in art. As a child at Christmas, I always asked for a sketch pad and paint set.''
Spouse: William Pepe
Children: Billie, who works on Wall Street in New York City; Julianne, an optometric assistant; and Brett, a student at Great Bridge Middle School
Occupation: Teacher at Moyock Elementary School
Hobbies: ``Anything to do with painting. I do pastels, portraits and murals. And I sing at my church, Prince of Peace.''
Last book read: ``Grace''
Favorite song: ``All I Ask of You''
Favorite movie: `` `Gone With the Wind.' I've seen it so many times.''
Can't resist: Strawberries dipped in chocolate.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``There are a lot of things. I'd like to be better at saving money. I'm not too good at that.''
Greatest accomplishment: ``Going back to school while working full-time to become a teacher. I had always wanted to be a teacher. It was a tough road while working full-time with three children in school. But my husband did it all. He was a godsend.''
Favorite TV program: `` `Jeopardy!' I'm an addict.''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: Andrea's for hot wings and pizza
Favorite way to spend a day off: ``Going to the beach at Sandbridge.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by L. TODD SPENCER
by CNB