Chico Enterprise-Record
09/21/2006

A Home and Garden Television crew films and interviews artist Norm Dillinger (left) at his Chico...

A TV crew from cable network Home & Garden Television was in Chico Monday to film Norm Dillinger's artsy home for its "Offbeat America" series.

The producer of the show, which "takes a fresh, head-turning look at the lives and creations of some of our nation's most awe-inspiring homeowners," contacted Debra Lucero of Friends of the Arts, Butte County, for ideas on unusual artsy homes and she gave them digital shots of Chicoan Norm Dillinger's house.

A few days later, HGTV contacted Lucero and said they were interested in producing a segment on the Chicoan's unusually arsty home.

"I think it's great," Lucero said in a press release. "My mother owns several of Norm's pieces and I've been to his home and seen his time-consuming art. He sits on a couch, paints perched on the armrest and carefully creates his visions. He is prolific and incredibly interesting."

Dillinger paints in impressionistic and pointillistic styles, using acrylic paints. Varied subject matter includes people, cars and animals, typically in natural settings. He also has created three large paintings of Chico's Friday Night Concerts (which include Chico City Plaza's now removed majestic elms).

Dillinger also drives his own piece of art, a Toyota pickup with camper, festooned with his work.

The air date for Dillinger's appearance on "Offbeat America" has not yet been set.

On the net

• www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_hoba
• www.nav.to/afreshstart1