Ann Elder-Hess is proof that a modest hobby can turn into a lifetime passion. The paintings of the 1952 Ohio State graduate are currently on display at the Ohio State Faculty Club in an exhibition entitled, “Colorworks in Multi-media.” Although water media paintings are now her devotion, it was not always so, she explained.”After my last kid left for college, I knew that I had to do something or go crazy. So, I took a watercolor class,” Elder-Hess said. After a short time, she began entering her works in shows. To her surprise, she began winning. When she felt that she was good enough, she entered and was accepted to an Ohio Watercolor Society show.The Ohio Watercolor Society is a statewide organization of water media artists who have been accepted into two of the society’s shows within a six-year period. Because it is an extremely selective group, membership in the society is considered an honor among water media artists, Elder-Hess said.The society’s mission, according to Jean Deemer, the 1998 society president, is to educate both artists and the public about water media art. She added that the society offers members benefits such as a quarterly newsletter that keeps members informed of scheduled shows as well as the activities of other members.Elder-Hess said she draws her inspiration from memories and feelings about places she has been and the experiences she had. The inspiration for her painting, “County Fair” came from the excitement of past fairs she has been to. “I love busy things like carousels and county fairs and things with a lot of glitter and glitz,” Elder-Hess said.Her current exhibition at the Faculty Club is hard to label in one particular category of subjects, she added. “It’s about things that make me happy. Looking at my work, you would not think that I am a sad person,” she said.The art exhibition program at the Faculty Club showcases the works of Ohio State faculty, staff and alumni. Marion Fisher, the Faculty Club art coordinator, explained that the Faculty Club accepts applications for exhibits along with slides of the artist’s work. An art committee then selects a schedule of exhibitions for the year that offer a wide variety of styles and themes. The exhibitions change every two months, Fisher said. Elder-Hess’ work will be displayed until Aug. 23. “This is an example of a talented alumna,” Fisher said. “There are many styles within the exhibition as well as different techniques.”Elder-Hess’ talent has been recognized by the Ohio Watercolor Society. Several of the paintings on display at the Faculty Club have won awards, including “County Fair,” which recently won Best of Show in the Western Ohio Watercolor Society show in May.Elder-Hess said that people who see her work have varied responses, but none of them are left sad. One man, she recalls, stood and laughed at her painting “Class Reunion,” because it brought back memories. “Everyone in the painting had on those stupid ‘Hello my name is’ labels. The man just laughed and laughed,” she said.The exhibition at the Faculty Club is located in the club lounge and hallway, and is open to the public. The Faculty Club is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays and is closed Saturdays during the summer.