It's NEVER too late
Today I could not bring myself to write about me or my work. Instead, I want to write about an inspiration. This weekend, our local dog-friendly coffee house, The Miller Haus, is hosting a small art show of which I am pleased to be a part of. About a week ago, one of the artists asked if there was room for another exhibitor as she has a student that was interested in displaying. Of course, we said the more the merrier. However, to me, once I learned the story, this student (of one year mind you) should have the show all to himself--even though he has only about 5 painting.
You see, this student, Edward, is a 98 years old World War 2 veteran and only began painting last year and his story was told to me as such: With the help of his instructor, Elizabeth Moreland, he creates these paintings in oil and acrylic. He puts a great deal of thought into each painting, researching the history and often repainting areas of the painting until he is satisfied. What is amazing is that he is 98 years old and has macular degeneration. While his instructor Elizabeth mixes the color, the paintings are carefully created by Edward. Every brushstroke is painstakingly applied, and often “rehearsed” on the palette before he feels ready to paint. He had a creative childhood, building model airplanes, trying to make each model truly representative. He also loved playing the piano, and was proficient with playing Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue after just a few years of instruction. But then, war struck, and, he noted wryly “I couldn’t carry my piano with me!” What he loves about painting is working with color and design. For Edward, the airplane is a vehicle of creative expression, a harmony of line, shape and color. He has vivid memories of flying in the war, as a transport pilot at the young age of 21. He flew all over the United States and all over the world – less than 2 years out of flying school. He was a transport pilot, flying a C 47, over Australia and the Pacific ocean. He was in command and had a crew. He flew to Alaska and trained in Puerto Rico, then was assigned to fly “The Hump” (the Himalayas) and helped support the Chinese effort against the Japanese. He is inspired by these memories of the green Himalayan Mountains, with fiery sunsets and grand vistas that etched themselves on his memory. Edward is truly a hero, and he wants people to know that it is truly never too late to reinvent yourself!
This story makes my heart absolutely soar. For those of us who so very often say "I can't", please use Edward as your inspiration--because he proves to us, so many times over, that you most certainly can.
For those of you in the area, please stop by and see Edward's work. I am not sure if he will be in attendance, but I want him to know that people have seen and felt his work and life.