ART : Secretary Eu Has Outside Interests

A fixture on the California political scene through five terms as secretary of state, March Fong Eu has in the past few years started to build a reputation in an entirely different arena.

Eu practices the arts of Chinese brush painting and calligraphy. Monday, she will be at the Golden West College Fine Arts Gallery in Huntington Beach for a reception opening an exhibit of 45 of her works.

A third-generation Chinese-American, Eu started painting in the past decade and “only intermittently,” she said by telephone. “I just try to squeeze in my painting whenever I can.”

Although she has only limited time to work on the craft, she has also had the opportunity to study with masters in Taiwan and in the United States. “I have a lot of friends in the Chinese art world,” Eu said. “I paint, and then they critique me.”

“I’ve known March Fong Eu for probably 15 years,” said Brian Conley, chairman of the Golden West College art department. “Her paintings have a great deal of energy. Her calligraphy is also beautifully done. She’s a renaissance sort of person, I guess.”

Eu published a book of her works in 1990 and has had exhibits at the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena and at private galleries. An exhibit being planned will travel to Tokyo, Hong Kong and Atlanta.

“I’ve had quite a few shows, considering I’m just a beginner,” said Eu, who added that she has been surprised by her own “knack” for painting.

“I guess I enjoy most the thrill of creating an art piece,” she said. “I surprised myself by doing something I never thought I could do. . . . I stand back and look in amazement, because it’s hard for me to imagine that I did them.”

Eu will execute calligraphy for guests at Monday’s reception, which will be open to the public. The exhibit continues through July 2.