The Roorda family has had painters in our family tree going back 5 generations from Holland, which is from where we immigrated.
In Holland our great grandfather lived in a very picturesque village which was a haunt of artists. So, naturally he wanted to become an artist. Actually, he and his children painted many fine pictures, some of which still adorn our walls. However, his practical-minded father insisted that he learn a trade, and he became a carriage painter! Carriage painting was an art in those days with their striped gleaming black wheel spokes in gold and crimson. Small, but handsome coat-of-arms were painted on the doors of the carriages, which were sent to him by the aristocrats of Holland. He manufactured his own paints and varnishes on hand-operated machines, and would use only the purest ingredients. He swore by white lead, linseed oil and turpentine...quite different than the paints used today.
His painting was continued when the family arrived in the United States. They first arrived in Iowa and then Colorado where they homesteaded. Denver, where we were born, he would paint cars and houses.
My father, Paul Roorda, Sr., was a salesman for a paint manufacturer in Denver for many years.
I, Paul Roorda, Jr., had a paint brush in my hand since a child, and when still a child was the first to help put on a trial of latex paint, then called rubber paint before it hit the market.
I began a painting business in earnest at the age of 25, and now I am in my 70's. I still enjoy painting when I am in Florida during the winter months. The rest of the time we travel and spend our summers in the mountains of North Carolina. In 2005 my wife Ruth and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary with our entire family in Israel. When we are not away, I am on the job with a brush in my hand.
Now sons Paul III and Ted continue the tradition, and we hope painting will be carried on by our next generations, too.
