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What's Brewing

Seniors discover their inner artist

By SUSAN THURSTON
Published June 23, 2006

I like to believe that it's never too late to take up a new hobby.

I started playing golf at age 38 and still hope to try the piano. My dad became a voracious reader at 63.

But learn to paint in your 90s?

Absolutely, says Karl Balasky.

The 92-year-old picked up a brush for the first time several months ago during Lyla Haggard's painting class at the Barksdale Senior Center. An avid ballroom dancer, his legs were getting tired but he wanted something to "keep the old gray matter working.''

Painting seemed the perfect outlet.

About a dozen paintings later, Balasky is quickly unearthing his talent. His landscapes and underwater scenes are pretty darn good for a beginner in his 90s.

"It takes your mind off your aches and pains, though I don't have that many,'' he says with a sly smile. "I get a little better every month, but I'm never really satisfied.''

Balasky, who lives in Sun Bay South, is among about 10 seniors who take part in Haggard's Thursday afternoon painting classes. Some attend to perfect their craft, while others come to learn something new.

All enjoy putting their creative energies to work in a carefree, supportive environment.

With so much attention given to young artists, it's refreshing to see the older set flexing their skills. Even if their work never reaches a gallery wall.

"I think everybody's born with some ability, but it gets knocked out of you pretty early on,'' said Haggard, a longtime painter and sculptor. "You start to realize that your painting of a cat doesn't look like a cat and you get discouraged. Then you join soccer.''

Haggard's students bring decades worth of life experiences to every canvas.

There's Norah Bigelow, 69, who lived on a 41-foot boat with her husband for about eight years, sailing from Miami to Barcelona. Her paintings reflect her memories from overseas. Her latest shows a boat and the mountainous coast of Greece.

There's Sara Eaves, 74, who took up the art last fall. A retired home health care professional and social worker, her pieces highlight her passion for people.

And there's Doris Kelly, who recently started painting at 80 and looks for inspiration in family snapshots, including a latest from the Isle of Man.

Not every work reflects the sunny side of their lives.

Bruce Houghton, 79, an experienced painter and avid traveler, painted a portrait of his 16-year-old grandson, who was killed in a car accident in August. Creating his loved one on canvas was emotional and considerably more difficult than his other works.

The class looks to each other for criticism and praise. Haggard forces each student to say what they like about their piece before jumping into what they don't.

Students can join the two-hour weekly class at any point. They bring materials; Barksdale supplies the tabletop easels. Every so often, the class does a project, such as paint two apples and a pear on a table in 30 minutes. And fill the entire canvas.

Haggard encourages the group to let their left brain take over whenever possible. Stand back from the canvas. Draw big, sweeping brush strokes. Don't be afraid to try new techniques.

The students say painting keeps their minds sharp and their hands nimble. It's relaxing and peaceful. A nice break from the mundane.

Their abilities far exceeded Haggard's expectations.

"I think there's a lot of hidden artists out there,'' she said. "My theory is the world would be a whole lot better if everyone were artists.''

Even if everyone waited until later in life.

THE LAST DROP: We're a finalist in the bid to land the Republican National Convention in 2008. In fact, all four cities that bid - Tampa, Cleveland, Minneapolis and New York - are finalists. Oh goody. One can only hope one of those cities- other than Tampa - will really impress the GOP judges.

Susan Thurston can be reached at thurston@sptimes.com or 226-3394.

[Last modified June 22, 2006, 12:11:38]