msjacksonpei@gmail.com
There’s a piece of artwork that stands out in Nora MacLeod’s memory.
“One time I painted a picture of a rooster. You know with the big tail - all colourful,” said the 92-year-old resident of Colville Manor. “I was proud of that one.”
As a child growing up on the Line of Lot Road in Fortune, Mrs MacLeod had very few supplies for expressing her creative side.
She owned just a few small bottles of paint and had only one brush to paint with. And anytime she wanted to switch colours she had to wash the brush out.
“We didn’t have the things to work with that they’ve got today,” Mrs MacLeod said.
Although Mrs MacLeod’s creativity later turned to more practical crafts, such as knitting mittens and afghans, she had the opportunity to renew her interest in painting this past January when she was introduced to the LEAP program.
The Learning Elders Arts Program gives seniors the chance to learn various arts and crafts under the guidance of local artists and with the support of loved ones.
“The objective was for the residents to experience creating art while interacting with one another and a family member or a helper,” said Carol Anne Matheson, Activity Director at the manor.
Mrs MacLeod said she liked “working with the girls,” referring to some of the manor’s workers who helped the residents with their paintings, in case their hand trembled a bit or their eyesight was poor.
“They’ll help you, and show you how it’s done,” Mrs MacLeod said.
Mrs MacLeod also has a brother in the manor, Billy Jackson. Mr Jackson is 93 and a lifelong horse lover.
As part of the LEAP program, he painted a picture of a Clydesdale horse with help from his niece Claudette Ward, who is Mrs MacLeod’s granddaughter.
“It was nice, sitting around a big table - all of us mingling and talking,” Mrs Ward said. “Everyone helped out.”
The program, which receives its funding from the PEI Seniors Federation as well as the Department of Tourism & Culture, is in its third year of programming at the manor.
Lorraine Hennessey, a local artist from Souris, led the eight week program this year.
Mrs Hennessey outlined various scenes on small canvasses - such as a seagull perched on the bow of a boat and an image of the Souris lighthouse. The participants then painted in the images with a palette of colours pre-arranged by Mrs Hennessey.
“We went with a Seaside Art theme,” said Ms Hennessey, who has artwork on display within the manor as well as on the walls of the Souris Hospital.
She said she wanted to choose scenes that would resonate with the residents and remind them of familiar sights from the community.
Mrs MacLeod said Mrs Hennessey showed them how to mix
paints and blend colours.
paints and blend colours.
“It’s not all that hard once you get started,” Mrs MacLeod said.
Mrs MacLeod attended two sessions and completed two paintings, one entitled ‘From the Wheelhouse Window’ and one of a holly hock growing up the side of a barn.
“It was a lot of fun and I’d like to get a little better at it ... although my hands are a little on the shaky side,” Mrs MacLeod said. “But what can you expect at 92?”
Photo: Lorraine Hennessey (right) holds one of the paintings she helped Colville Manor resident Nora MacLeod paint as part of the LEAP program. Mrs Hennessey is an artist from Souris who led the eight week program at the manor this year. Melanie Jackson photo
First appeared in The Eastern Graphic April 24, 2013
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