Senior finds satisfaction painting for fellow residents

Ronald Garland, a resident of Columbus Oaks Healthcare Community, paints numerous bright, colorful paintings to decorate the facility walls and to share art with other residents.

Garland is a self-taught artist who began about six years ago. He previously worked as a building contractor, which he said inspired him. Garland said he “finds a great deal of satisfaction” from painting. Garland most recently constructed a lighthouse out of cardboard and usually paints about two canvases a week.

“[My favorite thing to paint] is wildlife, animals, the sky, birds, leopards,” Garland said.

His artwork started to gain positive attention from other residents and visitors after being posted on a bulletin board. Garland frequently offers to teach other residents to paint or to paint artwork for them. However, he said many residents prefer to watch him paint.

“I think if a lot of people tested the waters [with art] a bit, they would start to realize just how much they can reach a depth into other people and themselves, and that’s what I like about [art] the most,” Garland said.