Drawing (your breath) at Carlyle Gardens

The residents at Carlyle Gardens Retirement Village are discovering that when it comes to creative drawing, they are not too old to learn a few new tricks.
Every week, resident Alan Almond tutors the residents and encourages them to seek inspiration from their beautiful surrounds.
“In nearly all cases, the residents on the course have never had any art classes or they have not drawn since their primary school days,” Alan says.
The art classes cover different genres with popular subjects including family (grandchildren especially), friends and people in the news.
“As well as drawing faces, we draw animals, buildings, landscapes – anything that captures our interests.”
“Most people deep down would love to be able to draw so I tell them ‘if you can draw your breath you’ll be okay’ and they reluctantly sign up.”
Alan says that after the course, many of the residents continue to draw, or try different mediums or enroll in local U3A courses to take their skills to a higher level.
“Some residents just enjoy drawing and the social aspect of a being in a group who share a common interest.”
The art lessons are free for residents and they only pay for materials such as pencils, drawing books and erasers.