'Ageless Art': How some Wauwatosa seniors are learning their creativity doesn't have an expiration date

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- For seniors at Harwood Place in Wauwatosa, age might wrinkle hands, but not passion.

Sitting in an art studio, surrounded by brushes and watercolor paints, is Larry Vande Zande, who's currently working on using blues to create a misty waterfall.

“I always did draw, and I always did some kind of art," Vande Zande recalled. "For me, I do a lot of photorealism so that they can say, well, why didn't you just take a picture?"

Across the table is Donna Cummings, who is using a mix of pinks -- her favorite color -- to paint a floral piece.

"The best part of painting for me is you can be very discouraged, and you can keep trying, trying, trying, and all of a sudden everything falls together!" Cummings said. "It's very relaxing."

While Vande Zande has spent the last two decades creating, Cummings just started on her artistic journey nine months ago -- and it's all thanks to Shari Brzinski, Donna and Larry's art therapist turned teacher.

“Art therapy is a way where we can connect others through those universal feelings, truths, and experiences," Brzinski said. “Art is a window to our soul; it is giving people a piece of ourselves."

Brzinski aims to help seniors express themselves through whichever art medium they choose.

“My goal is always to empower them, to help them find confidence in their identity," Brzinski said. “I think it’s so important to feel like you have a meaningful existence. That doesn’t change as you get older.”

That's why she teaches classes at senior living centers on what she likes to call "ageless art."

“The amount of confidence that I’ve seen grow within the artists has been astounding," Brzinski said. “You’re never too old to make a meaningful piece of art, you’re never too old to learn how to paint, age is irrelevant when it comes to reaching other people in a meaningful way.”

And on July 18, their works entered the public eye at Skylight Theatre as part of the annual Milwaukee Gallery Night -- a free event that encourages people to explore the city, learn about new artists, and support local.

"I'm beyond proud," Brzinski said. “They deserve to be part of the bigger arts community, not just inside our little studio here at Harwood Place, out there where they belong with all these other amazing artists in the community.”