March 10, 2014 – There was a time when I truly didn’t think I had any kind of artistic talent. I just couldn’t see the possibility. Me? An artist?

Retirement has offered me the time and opportunity to open my mind and get involved with new and challenging things. Once I took the art class offered at Carroll Lutheran Village, I was hooked.

I never knew that learning to see things from the right side of the brain could make things look any different – but they do! I remember the moment I saw trees in the negative, and I could hardly contain myself. The technique of drawing something upside down – well, what can I say? You have to experience that for yourself to understand the sense of wonderment. It’s like being a little girl discovering something new. I guess that’s what it’s all about: growing, learning and discovering something new.

The art class at Carroll Lutheran Village meets on Monday mornings at 9:00 a.m.  The instructor, Shirley Lippy, also teaches art at Carroll Community College. She is very supportive of each student whether they have been an artist for years or are just getting started. With lots of laughter, experimenting and  sharing, everyone who attends the art class finds their own way to express themselves.

Much of the art displayed along Friendship Way and in the hall across from the Bistro is by Village art class students. The annual resident book Creative Expressions includes works from students in the art class. Go ahead – take a look! It’s pretty good stuff from your friends and neighbors – many of whom never thought they would ever be an artist either.

Is there an artist inside you? Why not allow your left brain to rest for just a moment and join us in the art class to experience your own journey of self-discovery?

Bobbi Vrtacnik is a resident at Carroll Lutheran Village and takes the art class. Her work has been published in the annual resident creative publication Creative Expressions and has been on display in both galleries at the Village.