Why Retirees Paint

Written by Paulette Lee

I’m a cliché. When I was widowed, and then after retiring from 40 years in journalism and public relations, and with no experience nor perceived talent in the field, I started to paint. It was even more cliché than that: I did a horrid copy of Waterlilies at a “wine and paint” event (with deep apologies to Monet), and then seven years ago started attending sessions in the “active senior” community where I was living. The housing community wasn’t right for me, but painting was.

In painting, I found a totally new form of self-expression and I wondered if I could at least learn some techniques, even if I didn’t have “talent”. I found I could, and I continued to learn, and to paint. I get better all the time, though it’s arguable as to whether I have “talent”. Former U.S. President George W. Bush did the same thing; he started painting after retirement and got better and better. The point is — we can change directions when we have the time and inclination. And as we seniors have learned in life, the more we work at it, the better we become at it, whatever “it” may be.

There are studies that suggest that creative activities help slow down or may even eliminate the development of memory and mental disorders, as does learning a new skill. As retirees, we have the time to pursue activities we weren’t able to during our working and family-raising years. But why do so many seniors choose painting, in particular? The benefits are many, such as improving motor skills, coordination and concentration, and painting in a group provides camaraderie. However, those aren’t necessarily the traits that draw someone to painting (pardon the pun).

I think one reason is that it’s a creative endeavor that really doesn’t need to be learned, nor does it entail some kind of struggle. Anyone who puts paint to canvas is painting, so there’s no innate barrier to starting. It’s relaxing and absorbing. I think another reason is – color. Color appeals to our emotions, so we can use it to express a mood or an atmosphere. I loved learning how to mix colors, but no matter in what medium you work – oils, acrylics, watercolor, pastels, etc. – there is an enormous array of pre-mixed colors that can help you express whatever emotion you want; working with color is extremely satisfying.

Yes, to pursue painting one should learn how to draw (and it can be learned!), how to mix colors, how to use them, how to apply them, and a host of other techniques; but it’s not necessary in order to have a satisfying experience. In my opinion, the most important achievement in pursuing painting, is learning how to see. And perhaps in retirement, when the rush of life has ended, we have the time, the desire – indeed the need – to do exactly that.

Paulette Lee is a former award-winning broadcast journalist and retired nonprofit and international development communications consultant. She lives in Hagerstown, Md., and hosts the audio podcast, “WomanWorthy: Real Talk About Real Issues for Women Over 60” online at womanworthy.podbean. com, or on most podcast apps.

Leisure time is well-spent at Conococheague Institute