Name/Title
Aspen 19th Ave - Bobby Martin - Chickens in the Backyard - 2019Description
Bobby Martin
“Chickens in the Back Yard”
Aspen Healthcare 19th Avenue
“Chickens in the Backyard,” Bobby’s drawing in colored pencil, is based on photographs of Trixie and Pearl, chickens who belong to Aspen’s activities director, John Suus.
Bobby was encouraged to join the Art with Elders class, and while shy and timid at first, soon found he liked it. Instructor Virginia Jourdan describes Bobby as “passionate, willing to learn, a fast learner.” Art class “gives me something to look forward to,” he says. “I get involved with other people, instead of staying in my room alone watching TV. I enjoy working with all the colors; my favorite is green.”
Bobby, 66, also enjoys reading the newspaper daily, as well as People magazine and National Geographic. “I don’t get too involved with novels,” he explains.
He grew up in a family of six kids in central Florida, 30 miles from Orlando. His parents were from Alabama. He remembers working on his father’s large vegetable garden, learning from his dad. “I like to be outside when I can,” Bobby says. Education and career were the most important things in Bobby’s life. He attended Florida Southern College, and worked hard at his studies. During school, a teacher’s aide position at a private Catholic elementary school gave him the inspiration to become an elementary school reading instructor. “I learned a lot from the nuns,“ he says. He taught for 15 years in Florida, Daytona Beach, and Los Angeles until health challenges forced him to retire.
“I try to think positively all the way through,” Bobby reflects.
ART WITH ELDERS
2019 27th Annual Art With Elders Exhibit
