“I’m in my happy place,” said Gene O’Hara, describing how he feels when painting. He also used those words to describe living at Cape Albeon Retirement Community. After his wife of 58 years passed away, Gene wanted to find a place where he could meet people his own age and be inspired to paint. The 84-year-old mused, “I’m actually young compared to many people here.” Gene’s intricate watercolor paintings hang on the walls throughout Cape Albeon. “I’m inspired by the lakes and the beautiful trees here,” said the self-taught artist, whose work has been admired by both the St. Louis Watercolor Society and the executive team at Barnes Hospital. "There is no better place to be than watching someone smile when they see one of my paintings."
Article by Lucy Rogers
Photography by Cape Albeon
Originally published in Kirkwood City Lifestyle