‘Paint by Numbers’ for Flo

When Mrs Florence ‘Flo’ Symes moved into Resthaven Paradise four years ago, she didn’t want to ‘waste time sitting around.’

So it was that she turned her hand to the popular ‘paint by numbers’ art activity, creating almost 50 paintings so far – with no sign of slowing down in sight.

Flo discovered painting late in life, having ‘never picked up a paintbrush til I was 80!’

She says, ‘I’d never done painting before, then I went to a freehand painting session with my daughter, one of those group events.’

‘There were 13 of us, and we had a wine and painted.’

However, as Flo explains, ‘I’ve got Parkinson’s, and I’ve got the shakes with this hand.’

‘So, my daughter thought that I could paint between the lines.’

Flo’s new hobby was born, and she set up a mini ‘art studio’ in her room at Resthaven Paradise, with easel, paints, canvas, and spotlight. Here, she works on her paintings ‘almost every day.’

A prolific painter, Flo’s artworks decorate the walls of her room, and others she gives away to family and friends.

‘They make great gifts,’ she says.

‘I gave one to my granddaughter as a wedding present, and to other grandchildren for their birthdays.’

With 13 grandchildren and two great grandchildren in tow, it certainly comes in handy.

Born in Swan Hill, Flo was married in her 20s, and moved to a property near Remark in Victoria, right near the border – ‘We were just through the fence,’ she says.

‘I lived out there with my husband, we were married for 60 years.’

‘He died four years ago, and that’s when I moved to Resthaven.’

As soon as she moved in, Flo set about finding activities, explaining that ‘It’s just a waste of time not having anything to do.’

‘The staff here are all good, and I like the lifestyle program, especially the bingo.’

Flo also attends the fortnightly ‘Art Expression’ sessions held at the home, where she enjoys painting watercolours.

‘Painting takes up a lot of my time; it sort of grows on you!’ she says.

We look forward to seeing the creations that Flo makes next.

Click here to find out more about Resthaven