Never Give Up!

Last Thursday the La Crosse Pump House was the site for a reception of a very special art exhibit by Jean Hayden, whom I met in a watercolor class about 3 years ago.  What made this exhibit super special is not only was this Jean's first show but it's her age as Jean is 92. 

Jean had initially impressed me with her determination to attend class. You see Jean rode the bus to class. It wasn't just not being able to drive due to age but because Jean suffers from macular degeneration, an eye disease that causes vision loss in folks over 60. 

I remember a couple of classes when Jean's frustration got the best of her and she called it a day before the two hour class was near completion. But that was rare and she came back and she continued coming back ...

(l)Jean Hayden  (r) Pam Lee, water color instructor
 (in background Jean's detailed earlier botanicals)

Hence the name of her show "Never give up!"

Our instructor, Pam Lee, determined to ease Jean's frustration came up with the idea of working with black gesso (a chalk based glue paint) on watercolor paper. 

And Jean's imagination flowed with her brush strokes as seen here on the right and she could also choose to add color once the gesso had dried.

I learned through the exhibit that Jean was originally from Oak Park, Illinois (one of my stomping grounds). She actually was a professional singer who performed all over the U.S. until she had a family ending her career with the Chicago Symphony. For over 25 years Jean taught elementary school music, drama and art. Jean moved to Santa Barbara for retirement and pursued the visual arts, concentrating on botanicals and eventually moved here to La Crosse.

Jean visiting about one of her paintings.

Jean's message couldn't be any clearer with her "hope that this show will give others encouragement to 'Never Give Up.' Get out there, experience life and keep doing what gives you joy."
Thanks for the great advice Jean. I plan on doing just that right here in the End of the Rainbow Valley...