Though Leonard Giknis doesn’t think too much of his own art, it has been a constant companion throughout his life.
http://www.ydr.com/living/ci_22355694/91-year-old-york-county-man-has-painted
In fact, one painting in particular helped him through the grieving process after he lost his wife, Jean.
“I miss her voice,” he said. “She was a real lady.” After his wife died, Giknis devoted himself to researching and creating a large painting on wood depicting a historical bridge, along with the surrounding landscape and animals and figures crossing it. Focusing on the painting helped him cope with his loss, and the 91-year-old won a competition he entered the painting in.
Giknis’ children attribute their own love of art to their father. “He experiments, which you should do,” said Lorann Jacobs, Giknis’ daughter, on her father’s interest in trying out different artistic techniques. “He makes a lot of his own picture frames out of old barn wood.” Giknis uses everything from paint to markers in his artwork, and once enjoyed splicing together photos as a part of his masterpieces.
Hobbies can be a great comfort to anyone and painting is no different. Sign up for an acrylic painting class today. Once students learn the basic skills necessary to succeed in the medium, they can use their creativity to explore different themes and projects for their artwork. Informative sessions will focus on perspectives, mixing colors for realistic hues and shades, and exploring painting different subject matters, including still life, landscape, portrait, and more. Instruction can be easily adapted to beginning students or advanced pupils.