'Grandpa' a colorful component of Auraria Library
Eveline Yang, left, poses with "Grandpa" Jack Suzuki between two of his paintings. The painting on the right is one of his favorites.
Jack Suzuki’s 5-foot 2-inches of smiles and sass seem contrary to his 92 years of age. In much the same way, his oil paintings in dramatic hues of red yellow and blue counter the dreary walls of the Auraria Library.
Delightful, inspirational and ever-evolving are all adjectives used to describe “Grandpa Suzuki” by library staff and patrons, faculty and fellow students . . . that’s right, fellow students. Not only is Suzuki the library’s unofficial artist in residence, he’s a student at the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center’s College of Arts & Media.
“I should be in a wheelchair instead, eh?” he chuckles as he walks through the library eyeing the new placement of his paintings. Instead, Grandpa Suzuki is on a roll.
“I’ve known him for seven years,” explains UCDHSC painting instructor Vivian George. “He’s a perpetual student. He’s such a sweet man; he’s been a student of all of ours in our department.” 
Grandpa Suzuki began oil painting at 70-something, after his wife died. As he’s gained experience, he’s adopted new styles and techniques, moving from mirroring the greats, such as Monet and Picasso, to Kandinsky, to creating his own style.
More than 40 paintings currently housed in the library took Suzuki about eight days each to create and more than a month to dry . . . eventually. “You get paint all over your clothes,” he shakes his head.
“This is my favorite!” proclaims Suzuki at one of the colorful abstracts. After accumulating 20 years and a library full of works, Grandpa Suzuki looks upon his art as if seeing it for the first time.
“This one’s cute!” he says of a lyrical piece on the north side of the first floor. “Look at the ballerina! Look at her hair!”
Over the years, George and her colleagues have watched Suzuki progress as he audits classes through the university’s senior program. “He’s remarkable. He’s a good presence,” she says. “He’s tenacious, he works hard and his paintings are an inspiration.”
Eveline Yang, coordinator of library grants and development, has known Suzuki for three years; she calls him a godsend. She and Peggy Lore, student services, suggested he hang his works in the library when he reported he’d run out of room at home.
“The natural light in the library is just perfect to show off the works,” Yang says. “Imagine if we didn’t have Mr. Suzuki’s paintings. The library would be drab and boring; we really appreciate him.”
Grandpa Suzuki has displayed his art at the Denver Press Club and the Courtyard Marriott on the 16th Street Mall, but he’s never sold any of it despite the fact that “painting is expensive. He wouldn’t mind a sale, and to that end George has recently helped Suzuki access his student e-mail account for inquiries. Those interested can contact him 303-861-0345.
As the tour winds down, Suzuki stands before a painting of three Picasso-esque people. “This is my favorite,” he once again proclaims.
All of his works are untitled. “I don’t know what to call them,” he says.
“He truly is a treasure,” Yang says, as Suzuki turns the corner to greet another of his works. “Come look at this one,” he calls, “It’s my favorite!”