by Janet Cipolli

Created on: December 11, 2010   Last Updated: December 12, 2010

Art takes on many forms, from innocent doodles while passing time to museum-worthy paintings by renowned masters. Everyone has the ability to express themselves artistically, even 92-year-old women.  I know this from first-hand experience teaching watercolor painting to a group of senior citizens.  My oldest student was a 92-year-old great-grandmother named Alice.

Like the seven other elderly women, aged 65 to 74, Alice had never painted before. The women all loved to knit and crochet but had never attempted drawing or painting. When I formed the class, I encountered some doubt at first. They thought that painting was reserved for the Picassos, Michelangelos and Rembrandts of the world but I convinced them that my approach would be easy to follow and I went out on a limb and guaranteed them each at least one painting they could be proud of.

My own background was of an amateur artist. I enjoyed sketching portraits and watercolor painting, mostly landscapes with barns, lighthouses or churches. I had studied with a professional watercolorist in Westport, Connecticut and had studied "live model" drawing with an accomplished New Haven artist. My experience spanned over 30 years. I was confident I could bring out the artist in these women just as the artist in me had been brought out by my teachers - with patience, guidance and a love for creativity.

We met once a week for approximately two hours - I supplied the watercolor paper, paints and brushes - all they had to do was show up. The first class was a bit shaky as they had never even held a brush before. I guided them through the steps we would be attempting over the next few weeks and focused on getting them to feel comfortable and confident by letting them splash around with random paint colors and childlike play on the paper. They relaxed, had fun and seemed hopeful about the next class which promised to be their first attempt at a real watercolor painting.

The following week, Alice and the others sat down, each with a large piece of watercolor paper in front of them. I handed out pencils and asked them to choose one of the following: a barn scene or a lighthouse scene. The decisions were split down the middle which was fine - they would get the chance to watch each other's progress. I taught them the basics of composition - the sky, the foreground and the main object of their painting (barn or lighthouse). They enjoyed learning the technique of applying water and then paint and in that class

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