It’s Not too Late

Age is Only a Number

The joy of creating art can start even very late in life. I was in my 60’s when I made a commitment to make art my avocation. My father was a small business owner who worked long hours until he retired at 75. He developed a jack-of-all-trades capability to keep store and home in working order and had little time for hobbies or art. After his late retirement, dad started bird carving lessons. Over the next 10 to 15 years he carved and painted many birds- mostly song birds with the occasional hawk or owl. These birds provided many satisfying hours of labour and creativity.

Art After Four Score Years

As the years passed, my parents moved to an assisted living home. They no longer were able to cook or do yardwork or household chores.

The Garrison Green Seniors’ Home in Calgary is a wonderful place to spend the later years of life. The many in-house concerts by musicians of all genres, provided cultural enrichment of the residents.

This facility had a fully equipped art studio which was open to all residents. The studio provided art instruction on drawing, painting, collage and ceramics. The studio provided paper, canvas, brushes, paint, art books, tables and easels to anyone (residents and guests) who wanted to try art. It was open all day, 7 days a week. An amazing variety of artwork, created by the residents, were displayed in the halls and public areas. The art studio became a vibrant community, alive with inspiration and creative energy.

To learn more about the Garrison Green art studio: https://unitedactiveliving.com/communities/garrison-green/?utm_medium=adwords&utm_campaign=google&utm_source=gmb-listing#t1)

My mother had been a busy housewife and charity volunteer. She was a sewer, but she never showed an inclination to draw or paint. In her 90th year she discovered a new passion in the art studio. She went to the art studio almost every day and created many beautiful paintings. Her landscapes featured the mountains, trees and flowers which she loved. My father, after he stopped carving, also took up painting and continued to make art well after he turned 100.

Some of my most enjoyable visits with my parents were in the art studio, painting together.

Satisfying hours in the Garrison Green art studio.

Legacy

Art doesn’t have to be professional to be meaningful. Art satisfies the creator, and if the work is heartfelt, it provides meaning and value to the viewer.

Sadly mum and dad passed away during (but not due to) the COVID pandemic. It is a comfort that I have a few artworks that remind me of their creative spirits.