Late bloomer

Francis Duffield has large hands, weathered from years of handling stones and bricks, building ornate fireplaces, patios and arches in homes.

Duffy, as he likes to be called, never imagined his masculine hands so familiar with blunt objects could so deftly utilize a tiny paintbrush. Nor did his daughter, Florine Duffield, who is a photographer and artist herself.

"My father was certainly an artist with the stone - he made beautiful things out of stone - and he started (painting) a few months ago. I was shocked because he has these big hands of a man who's worked with his hands. He has trouble even adjusting his hearing aid. When he picks up these little brushes ... I never thought he'd choose do anything like this, let alone be really good," she said.

But his colorful paintings tell a different story: a man with enormous talent, who at 83 just realized it a little later than most.

Duffy lives at Willow Creek Assisted Living Community in Youngtown and began taking an art class offered by painters and fellow Youngtown residents Douglas and Carolyn Ward several weeks ago. In the class, which features instruction in various paint mediums, Duffy and three other seniors from Willow Creek including 97-year-old Rose Caparella, as well as several other seniors from nearby communities, are learning how to paint for the first time. The small, finished paintings of everything from beaches to forests and flowers - all completed in the two-hour time frame of each class - and other works of art were the subject of a recent mini-showing at the Willow Creek library.

The Wards said they were amazed at the talent their students demonstrated after just a few weeks.

The elderly newcomers, though, have just what it takes to be successful, Douglas Ward said. They have desire and aren't afraid to try.

"People don't do art because they think they can't draw but once they try it, most people will like it," he said. "People don't paint because they think they can't paint. (But) people can actually learn more than they think they can. People can't be intimidated."

The Wards originally taught their art class with Youngtown's Parks and Recreation Department and recently moved it to Willow Creek. They also teach several other classes, some for children and others in Youngtown and other cities for adults.

"The ones here are doing acrylic painting (but) we can do whatever they want to do," Douglas Ward said.

The benefits of the art classes are paying off for the new artists who said they enjoy the friends they've made and the new skills they are learning, which in Duffy's case, is spreading farther than just a two-hour per week hobby.

"I practice up in my room," Duffield said. " But I've got to change my table around so I can get better light."

Likewise, Caparella said she will continue to attend and expand her knowledge of painting.

"It's wonderful," she said. "Whatever I see, I would like to paint."

The art class is held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays at Willow Creek Assisted Living Community, 12322 N. 113th Ave., Youngtown. Each class is $7 and materials are provided. Anyone is welcome to attend the class. For information about this class or others, the Wards can be reached at 623-933-3578.

Erin Turner may be reached at 623-876-2522 or eturner@yourwestvalley.com.