We’re never too old to learn something new

By Dr. Heather Bozant Witcher
Clarion Herald

Beginning in December, I signed up for classes to learn watercolor. It was on a bit of a whim, but it has evolved into something I really enjoy and look forward to each week.

My recent research project involves a group of poet-artists called the Pre–Raphaelites. Long have I admired the movement’s sumptuous paintings and use of color. Lately, though, I’ve been looking at their sketches and studies for the paintings because, often, they’ll scribble poetic lines or fragments in the margins.

As I’ve been analyzing these works, I thought about my own art classes. I never considered myself very good, especially not with drawing. But, I’ve always enjoyed crafts and admired painting. 

One of my most vivid memories of art was in grade school. I think it was sixth or seventh grade, and we had to hole-punch construction paper. Using the tiny paper circles, we covered an entire page to create the image: tiny paper-like scales in the shape of a penguin or bear or whatever it was that I created. I don’t remember the result, but I do remember the laborious process of hole-punching and gluing.

And, of course, I remember during my undergraduate studies that I took ceramics as part of my fine arts requirement. I was excited about that class, and I have about four different-sized ceramic ducks, an ongoing project throughout the class. The ducks are somewhat of a joke – they are lopsided – but there is progress that is visible across the differently sized animals.

So, while I’ve always enjoyed art, I never actually enrolled in something to learn and develop the craft. Around Christmas, I started seeing advertisements on social media for watercolor classes, and the rest is a relatively short-lived history.

The class focuses on botanical watercolors, and I’ve been pretty pleased with the coneflowers and wildflowers that I’ve created. In addition, I’ve painted some ladybugs and seashells for the kids, at their request.

In the past six months, then, I’ve been surprised about how much I’ve learned. It’s also reminded me of how frustrating and slow-going learning a new motor skill can be. Everything – from posture and holding the paintbrush to pushing water and color around on the paper – has been a learning curve.

Some weeks, I can easily see the progress I’m making; other weeks, though, I’m frustrated by how easy something looked during class and how difficult or downright ugly my attempt is. In those moments, it’s like I’m a kid again.

As I’ve been learning watercolor, my twins are learning how to write their alphabet. Gripping the pencil, they trace their letters. Often, they’re frustrated by their attempts. Sometimes, there’s a glimmer of excitement. And frequently I’m reminding them to pause, take a breath and try again. I show them how nice their “P-I-P” and “O-L-L-I-E” letters are coming along, and they’re ecstatic to recognize their names in their own hands.

We’re always learning, I remind them, as I show them my own frustrating attempts. And we’re never too old to remind ourselves: pause, breathe and try again.

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