Like many artists, Ron Beatty enjoys applying paint to a canvas to create a 2D impression of a 3D scene, whether it’s a lighthouse, a wharf, harvesters or a barn. But for several years Beatty’s canvas has also been the city of Brentwood itself, which he has helped beautify as a city arts commissioner and a cofounder of the Brentwood Art Society.

Since moving to Brentwood nine years ago after retiring from a job in southern California building nuclear submarines, bombers and fighter jets, Beatty and his artistic cohorts have worked to secure funding from new development and held their own fundraisers to provide public art in city parks, art displays at the Brentwood Tech Center, poetry readings at Gabby’s Grind, art education and supplies in local schools and the annual Art, Wine & Jazz Festival.

Now 77, Beatty decided it was time to retire from the art society board. “I was on it for seven years and figured that was long enough and we need new people to get in there and do the job,” he said in a phone interview. “I still go to meetings, and I can speak my mind and make comments, but can’t vote on any issues – and that’s fine with me.”

Society members celebrated him last week at Sweeney’s restaurant with a plaque, proclamation and presents, including a drawing of a young Bob Dylan.

“On behalf of the Brentwood Arts Commission, a heartfelt thanks for all you have done for Brentwood and the arts in Brentwood,” said Commissioner Barbie Koncher. “You have been an advocate of art for children. Many of your contributions continue to this day and are enjoyed and appreciated throughout the community. We just want to say thanks for making this a more beautiful place.”

Beatty said he’s been a longtime Sunday afternoon painter and decided to apply for an opening on the Brentwood Arts Commission after his wife died and he had time on his hands. He’s proudest of having written the arts ordinance in 2003 that secured a percentage of the fee on every new house built in the city for public art projects. He believes there’s still about $400,000-$500,000 in that fund.

He’s enjoyed his stint as an art director. “It’s a great town,” he said. “Working with the commission has been wonderful, it really has. I got more out of than I think I gave.”

But even in his second retirement, Beatty is working on his next project: some kind of public commemoration for Bill Bristow, a longtime Brentwood educator who died recently. “I will keep busy and keep painting, doing those kinds of things,” he said. “(But) when you start pushing 80, you have got to slow down.”

The Brentwood Art Society is seeking new members as it embarks on plans to determine its course for the next five years – a plan that might include providing an arts center in Brentwood. Annual membership costs $10 for students and seniors, $25 for adults and $50 for families. For more information, go online to www.ci.brentwood.ca.us, click on Arts Commission and then click on Art Society, or call Society President Jan Melloni at 925-516-2565.