Retirement! It had arrived so quickly. It was 2005 and I was retired, not that I wasn’t looking forward to it, but what to do with all those hours you filled with work? I was looking for something to do to keep my mind, body and soul together and alert. Then I spotted an article about Frankston U3A (University of the Third Age) in our local paper. It talked about teaching and learning new skills in your later life, and I decided this might be the way to go.
U3A is an organisation that is run by over fifty-fives, for the over fifty-fives. People from all walks of life join together, some teaching and some learning new skills; it can be anything from History to Art and from Art to Belly Dancing. The choice is yours; you can take on some in-depth learning like history or you can have fun learning to play Canasta.
There were many courses I could have chosen from; I opted for the Beginner’s Water colour class where I met my teacher and mentor Jeannie Laine. Over the past six years she has taken me on a journey from an eager, but totally unsure artist, to what I am now. She managed to give me confidence, nurture my skills, and goaded and cajoled me on to better things, suggesting challenges and new things to expand my knowledge. Although the class is for water colours, we are encouraged to try our hand at drawing, pastels and acrylics. Here we learn to get all things into perspective. I enjoyed the water colours, but as time went on I found I was drawing more than painting. It had become my first love. I have kept up my water colours and with time and effort I have become accomplished at that also. Sometimes I draw and then apply a light colour wash to give more life and mood to my drawings.
This story is from the Issue 37 edition of Artists Drawing and Inspiration.
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This story is from the Issue 37 edition of Artists Drawing and Inspiration.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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Pelicans To Portraits
This lady has painted everything from pelicans to portraits. She has completed commissions including cats, dogs, horses, possums, numerous beach scenes… and even a Scottish piper.
“I Cannot Imagine Life Without Art”
Throughout her story you can feel the delight and joy that radiates from this artist as she describes her passion for art.
The Noble Equine
Coloured pastel papers have been used to create this beautiful horse.
To Be at One With Nature
“My art is who I truly am, and it has given me a freedom to become ‘just me’,” claims this talented lady.
Making The Picture Sing
Using her fine attention to detail, this artist creates a loving tribute to her subject.
Thanks to Da Vinci
Wicked classroom caricatures and tattoos fired up the passion for this self taught artist to strive to produce the perfect drawing.
My Story
Sharing her passion for art has become a way of life for this determined and talented artist.
Link to Life
This artist adores pastels … a medium which she believes can fall between painting and drawing. Her art is truly her link to life.
Don't Rock the Boat
What comes first … the title or the painting? For this colourful artist, it can be either – and experimenting can lead to accidentally creating individual techniques.
Art for Steven
Some years ago, this man was inspired to make the transition from cartooning to painting. He had always wanted to express himself in this way, and he dedicates every painting to his late brother Steven who inspired him.
