EngAGE Stories

BSAC resident Walter Hurlburt is an accomplished painter. He was a self-taught artist but is now cultivating his portrait skills by studying with EngAGE art instructor Eric Hoag. Walter moved from his Boston area roots to Los Angeles in 1969. When his wife passed away six years ago, he began to search for an apartment and settled at BSAC in 2008. “It’s inspiring to live here because of the facilities,” Walter says. “It’s wonderful to be able to take advantage of them.” He visits the BSAC art studios a minimum of four times a week. Walter also has the distinction of being part of a family who was featured in the 2/22/10 Time magazine cover story, “The Science of Living Longer,” which examined families who produce members who live into their 80s, 90s and even 100s. But Walter’s current claim to fame around BSAC is from his portrayal of “The Boyfriend” in the short film of that name, developed as a collaborative improvisation between BSAC actors and David Slater’s London acting group at Entelechy Arts.

Walter’s artist’s statement:

I had a thirty year career as a sign painter and a seven year mini-career as a technical illustrator at the Lockheed Corporation. I began to paint with oils in 1995. I like to paint portraits, figures, and landscapes in a realistic manner. I am currently painting a series of grain elevators. There are many grain elevators in the provinces in Canada and in the United States. They are imposing structures and are great subjects to paint.

I am a member of the Valley Artists Guild, the San Fernando Art Club, the Burbank Art Association, and the Fine Arts Federation of Burbank. Many of my paintings are in private collections in California, New Hampshire, Arizona, and Boston, MA.

Grain Elevator #6

Grain Elevator #6 – Detail 1

Grain Elevator #6 – Detail 2

Philip Seymour Hoffman

Portrait of a Lady – 1

Rodeo