The walls of artist John’s room at Enliven’s Brightwater Home in Palmerston North are adorned with many of his watercolour paintings.
John has created art ever since he attended the Harrow School of Art in the UK as a young man.
“I have sold quite a lot of my paintings,” he says. “I must’ve painted in the upper hundreds in my lifetime.”
In past years his work has been on display as part of exhibitions in galleries in Palmerston North.
John has been able to continue his passion since moving into Brightwater Home. Staff at the home set up a space to work at in the main lounge area, where he will usually spend time painting in the mornings.
“I can usually get quite a bit done in one sitting,” John says. “The other residents say ‘I don’t know how you’re able to do that’, but they do things I can’t – like knitting!”
John says he now prefers to paint in watercolour and adds a special touch where he turns the water colour paper upside-down and tips it when the paint is still wet to make the colours run slightly.
He has a number of books in his room and a clear file packed with photos from around the world to inspire him for future paintings.
While John is talented at painting beautiful scenes from faraway countries, he says his favourite objects to paint are fishing boats and steam engines.
Brightwater Home and Village is operated by Enliven, part of the not-for-profit organisation Presbyterian Support Central. It offers independent retirement living, hospital, dementia, health recovery and palliative care.
