After the Bell with Staffulty Member Ernie Lamb

Have you ever wondered what teachers and school staff do when they are not at school?  We decided to find out! 

This story is part of our series about some of Central Catholic’s faculty and staff members and what they like to do after the bell rings at the end of the day.  Some have surprising hobbies, others have creative talents.  With this series, we hope to shine a spotlight on the special people who work with our students every day!

From Parking Lot to Painter

Ernie Lamb has been working as Central Catholic’s safety and security officer for 16 years.  You can often see his smiling face directing traffic in the mornings when students are dropped off at school, and again at the end-of-day pickup.  He also monitors the building and school grounds during school hours and special events.

Ernie is retired from the Lucas County Sheriff’s office, where he worked as a detective and as a deputy at the Lucas County jail.  He also served in the Army for three years, stationed in Germany.

Ernie said it’s the people - the students and the friendships he has made at Central Catholic that keep him coming back.

When he is not working, Ernie often chooses to take part in an activity that is far different from his security work.  He enjoys artistic painting.  “Someone gave me a Bob Ross paint set for Christmas in 2008,” he recalled.  “It included paint, palette knives, paper, and a book with step-by-step instructions.  It began as a hobby, and I started practicing, and it turned out that I could really do it.  I still have the first painting I did hanging on my wall at home.”

Ernie started out following the Bob Ross lessons, but he soon discovered his own style.  He has been perfecting his craft and has continued to improve over the years.  His paintings are mostly nature scenes, or as he says, “Something simple that doesn’t require a lot of thought.  I just put up a blank canvas and whatever comes out, comes out.”

When Ernie was younger, he liked to draw.  He often drew football players and action photos.  But he quit working at it and feels that his drawing skills kind of disappeared.  Perhaps his painting skills have taken their place.

Ernie uses 18x24 canvases or paper with oil paints, and he learned how to mix the colors from the Bob Ross kit.  He likes oil better than watercolors or acrylic paint because it takes longer to dry and he can manipulate it more easily.  He likes to paint when no one else is around so he doesn't have any interruptions.  “I have to be in a creative mood,” he said.  “I know it when I feel it.  I have nothing on my mind when I’m painting.  It’s just flowing.”

His daughter has sold a few of his paintings, and Ernie has also donated some to Central Catholic to auction off as part of its annual scholarship fundraiser.  But Ernie doesn’t set up at art shows or sell his paintings online.  He said he doesn’t have the patience for that.  He just paints because he enjoys doing it.

Previous Editions of After the Bell
Kim Bremer (August 1)