A lifetime resident of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, except for a 13-year sojourn to Michigan, I only realized the joy of painting and creating art works as a mature adult.  As I was planning for my early retirement, I started some art lessons and quickly found I was immersed.  When I joined the ranks of retired persons and could devote more time to painting, I found that while occupied with my new passion, everyday cares disappeared and ills of the heart were diminished.