Dixie Lee's World of Art: August 2008

Friday, August 29, 2008

Gallery View of some of Dixie Lee's work

Dixie posing for portrait at Al Waterman's studio

Welcome to the life, in brief, of Dixie Lee Waligora, Raymond, Maine

DIXIE LEE WALIGORA
1942 - 2003
Local Artist, Painted in vivid Primary
Colors - "Outside the Lines"
Crusader of Humanity
RAYMOND- Dixie Lee Waligora, 61, died Tuesday afternoon at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.
She was born in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., the daughter of George Christopher and Virginia Lee Kelly who divorced in 1965. She was educated in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. earning her GED. She graduated from beauty culture school in Newburgh, N.Y. and worked as a beautician until she married.
Since moving to Raymond 16 years ago, she has been a local artist. She studied with Al Waterman, a renowned artist, who has said "When she paints, there is an excitement. She's in a world of her own. Don't stand too close. She'll splash on you!".
Dixie was quoted in the Casco Bay Weekly as saying, "I paint anything I want and I paint with feeling. When I'm determined and I feel strong, it comes out beautiful. I don't ask anybody's opinion. If they don't like this, that's too bad. I paint to make myself happy."
For many years, she operated a picture gallery in the Old Port section of Portland.
Surviving her is her husband of thirty-eight years, James M. Waligora and mother, Virginia Kelley of Raymond. The survisors also include a daughter, Jennifer Lee Quimby and grandson, Mitchell of Richmond, Va.: a son Joseph J. Waligora; granddaughter, Alicia of Portland andAmanda of Saco; and another son, Theodore J. Waligora; and granddaughters, Sonya andSamantha Waligora of Casco. Additional survivors are a sister, Georgia Lee Arnt of Ridgewood, N.J.; and nieces, Laura and Cheryl: nephew, Christopher; grand niece, Jackie and grand nephew, Sean.
Dixie had many friends from all walks of life and loved her animals. If you ever met her, you would never forget her.
Visiting hours will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 21st at Hall's Funeral Home, on Quaker Ridge Road, Casco. Funeral will be Friday at 10 a.m. Webb's Mills Church, Route 85, Casco. Officiating will be Rev. Walter Ray.