INTERFACE GROUP CHOOSES HUENEME ARTIST'S PAINTING FOR 1996 CHRISTMAS CARD : HOW TO HELP.

Byline: Teresa Jimenez Daily News Staff Writer

The watercolor painting, with muted shades of teal, burgundy and rust, depicts a Southwestern Santa Claus with a fuzzy wool cap and a hip sweater.

It's a scene worlds away from the lives of people who seek help from Interface Children, Family Services.

But the painting, to be reproduced on the Interface Christmas card for 1996, is expected to help Interface raise thousands of dollars for programs serving children and families in need.

Painter Eve Riser-Roberts of Port Hueneme worked for several months on the watercolor, giving Interface representatives several options for a Christmas card painting.

Riser-Roberts said she jumped at the chance to help the organization.

``I felt honored to be asked to do it,'' Riser-Roberts said. ``It's a worthwhile organization, and I enjoyed being added to the group of other artists who have done this in the past.''

Camarillo-based Interface helps more than 115,000 area residents with crisis intervention, shelter for abused children and battered women, counseling for pregnant teens and programs such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, according to Chris Rutter, director of community resources for the organization.

The Interface Christmas card is a tradition that started 13 years ago as a simple fund-raiser that sponsors wanted to make more meaningful, Rutter said.

``We thought, why don't we develop our own cards?'' Rutter said.

The organization has used art from children who have stayed in shelters or participated in other Interface programs, she said.

Interface began commissioning art from local painters, Rutter said, in addition to using children's work.

Using cards created locally for Interface ``made it a lot more meaningful for us,'' Rutter said about the fund-raising effort.

Last year, the organization's card sales grossed $58,000. Half of that went toward the organization's programs, Rutter said.

Riser-Roberts has worked with Interface on another fund-raiser.

Studio 83, a group of Ventura County artists, sponsored an auction of members' works to benefit Interface, Riser-Roberts said.

``I invited Interface to join in the art effort,'' Riser-Roberts said. ``When I was thinking of charities, they were the first to come to mind.''

Rutter said Studio 83 members have been consistently helpful. ``There are so many wonderful artists, and we know of them and ask them to (help) us.''

Riser-Roberts said her Santa Claus was inspired by pictures she took while on a trip to Santa Fe, N.M., with her husband.

Interface representatives chose a picture of Santa Claus with just a touch of Southwestern flavor, she said.

``They thought it was more universal,'' Riser-Roberts said.

To receive Interface holiday card brochures or for more information, call Chris Rutter at [phone].

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Photo

Photo: Port Hueneme artist Eve Riser-Roberts shows her watercolor painting for Interface's Christmas cards.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News

Box: HOW TO HELP (Conejo edition only--See text)