83-year-old gran creates stunning paintings from hospital bed
For most people confined to bed rest, watching TV, reading books and surfing the web are the go-to activities. But, for one creative 83-year-old, being bedridden isn’t stopping her from letting her artistic skills flourish.
Joan Holland, a resident at an aged care facility in Cranford, New Jersey, took to painting after she stumbled on a painting kit for adults called Paint for Numbers. Since then, she hasn’t stopped.
“You get tired of laying around in bed,” Joan, who has been confined to bed rest for a year, told ABC News. “I tried knitting and was good for a while, and I tried reading. But the Paint by Numbers, the painting is perfect. It was easy to set up, easy to clean up, and didn't make a big mess. And I had good results from it.”
Not only is she no longer bored, but Joan’s granddaughter Jill says she’s never seen her grandma happier than when she’s painting. “Being stuck there, she does get cranky sometimes," she said. “This is her outlet and her getaway. It brings her joy. Being there and seeing her do this, it's an inspiration to me and my family. She doesn't look that happy all the time, but this brings it out in her.”
The paintings take around 10 days to finish, and when she’s done, Joan likes to give them to staff members at the aged care home or to family members. “They've served my purpose, and now someone else can enjoy them.”
See her beautiful creations in the gallery above and tell us in the comments, have you discovered a love for art later in life?
Images: Jill Sobocinski.
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