Painting holds a special place for many Baby Boomers because it intersects with our values, life experiences and evolving needs as we age. Boomers were shaped by powerful visual movements with artists like Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock and Salvador Dali. Because we value personal expression, painting offers a canvas-literally-for exploring identity, beliefs and Emotions. Painting as a hobby provides cognitive stimulation by boosting memory and slowing cognitive decline. The act of creating art is therapeutic, helping process emotions and reduce Stress. Our Experts in this area of the site explore not only these topics but how painting in group settings can foster social interaction, combat loneliness and help to connect with younger generations.
As the Baby Boomer Generation transitions out of the workforce, painting becomes a meaningful way to explore new passions and maintain a sense of purpose. Painting is more than just putting color on canvas-it is a powerful tool for emotional healing, cognitive Growth, and self-discovery.
On this week's Goalchat, Debra Eckerling talks about how to "go be creative" with intuitive artist Heather Eck (who has synesthesia - the ability to see color), content creator Holly Homer (founder of Pagewheel and Kids Activities Blog), and author/publisher Brenda Knight (Books that Save …
On this week's Goalchat, Debra Eckerling talks about how to "go be creative" with intuitive artist Heather Eck (who has synesthesia - the ability to see color), content creator Holly Homer (…
On this week's Goalchat, Debra Eckerling talks about how to "go be creative" with intuitive artist Heather Eck (who has synesthesia - the ability to see color), content creator Holly Homer (founder of Pagewheel and Kids Activities Blog), and author/publisher Brenda Knight (Books that Save Lives aka BTSL).
All three are featured in "52 Secrets for Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting" - a BTSL book, championed by Brenda. They are also champions of creativity, who constantly juggle multiple endeavors.
Heather, Holly, and Brenda share their 52 Secrets secrets, their backstories, a…
Ever notice how it seems like everyone’s grandparents either live in Florida or plan to? It’s not your imagination. There’s a genuine, almost magnetic draw that pulls older adults to the Sunshine State — and it’s not just about the weather, although that certainly helps. Every year, thousa…
Ever notice how it seems like everyone’s grandparents either live in Florida or plan to? It’s not your imagination. There’s a genuine, almost magnetic draw that pulls older adults to the Sunshin…
Ever notice how it seems like everyone’s grandparents either live in Florida or plan to? It’s not your imagination. There’s a genuine, almost magnetic draw that pulls older adults to the Sunshine State — and it’s not just about the weather, although that certainly helps. Every year, thousands of retirees make the migration south into what feels like a rite of passage, trading snow shovels for sunglasses and chilly holidays for year-round warmth. But what’s really behind this massive senior migration? Is it the beaches? The tax breaks? The shuffleboard? Or is there something deeper …
One phrase has quietly become the heartbeat of everything I create:
The future must always have a place in the room.
It reminds me that healing is not simply about where we have been. It is not only about understanding our stories or releasing what no longer serves us. True transformation begins whe…
One phrase has quietly become the heartbeat of everything I create:
The future must always have a place in the room.
It reminds me that healing is not simply about where we have been. It is not only a…
One phrase has quietly become the heartbeat of everything I create:
The future must always have a place in the room.
It reminds me that healing is not simply about where we have been. It is not only about understanding our stories or releasing what no longer serves us. True transformation begins when we create space for who we are becoming.
That is exactly what the Artfilled Wellness Retreat is designed to do.
This retreat is not about escaping your everyday life. It is about returning home with a renewed relationship to it.
Over eight unforgettable days on the beautiful west coast of Cape Bre…
One of the hardest questions after losing a partner is not
“What happened?” It is “Who am I now?”
For decades, your identity was wrapped up in “we.” We go to
the market. We visit the grandkids. We argue about the thermostat. Then
suddenly it is just “I.” And “I” feels like a str…
One of the hardest questions after losing a partner is not
“What happened?” It is “Who am I now?”
For decades, your identity was wrapped up in “we.” We go to
the market. We visit the gran…
One of the hardest questions after losing a partner is not
“What happened?” It is “Who am I now?”
For decades, your identity was wrapped up in “we.” We go to
the market. We visit the grandkids. We argue about the thermostat. Then
suddenly it is just “I.” And “I” feels like a stranger.
What helps? Slowly, gently, trying on new versions
of yourself. Not replacing your partner. Not forgetting. Just
discovering what is still there.
Go to
a movie alone. It will feel strange. That is okay.
Join a
group where no one knows you were part of a couple. A painting cla…
“Health is not built through one extraordinary moment. It is cultivated through a series of intentional experiences that gently reconnect us to ourselves, to one another, and to the world around us.”
When people first hear about the Artfilled Wellness Retreat, they often ask a practical quest…
“Health is not built through one extraordinary moment. It is cultivated through a series of intentional experiences that gently reconnect us to ourselves, to one another, and to the world around us.…
“Health is not built through one extraordinary moment. It is cultivated through a series of intentional experiences that gently reconnect us to ourselves, to one another, and to the world around us.”
When people first hear about the Artfilled Wellness Retreat, they often ask a practical question.
“What are we doing each day?”
It’s a natural question.
But perhaps the more important question is:
“Why is each day designed the way it is?”
The answer is simple.
Every experience has been intentionally chosen.
Nothing is random.
Nothing is included simply beca…
This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Parks & Arts” Show features Tanya Ortega, founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), in a fascinating conversation about Gettysburg National Military Park, its enduring artistic legacy, and the vital role artists play in preserving…
This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Parks & Arts” Show features Tanya Ortega, founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), in a fascinating conversation about Gettysburg…
This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Parks & Arts” Show features Tanya Ortega, founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), in a fascinating conversation about Gettysburg National Military Park, its enduring artistic legacy, and the vital role artists play in preserving America's history.As part of the ongoing Big Blend Radio NPAF Retrospective, Tanya explores how artist residencies help interpret the stories, landscapes, and emotions that make Gettysburg one of America's most significant historic places. From the iconic Gettysburg Cyclorama painting and inspiring…
This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Parks & Arts” Show features Tanya Ortega, founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), in a fascinating conversation about Gettysburg National Military Park, its enduring artistic legacy, and the vital role artists play in preserving…
This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Parks & Arts” Show features Tanya Ortega, founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), in a fascinating conversation about Gettysburg…
This episode of Big Blend Radio’s “Toast to The Parks & Arts” Show features Tanya Ortega, founder of the National Parks Arts Foundation (NPAF), in a fascinating conversation about Gettysburg National Military Park, its enduring artistic legacy, and the vital role artists play in preserving America's history.
As part of the ongoing Big Blend Radio NPAF Retrospective, Tanya explores how artist residencies help interpret the stories, landscapes, and emotions that make Gettysburg one of America's most significant historic places. From the iconic Gettysburg Cyclorama painting and inspirin…
Passion is one of those deceptively simple words that points to something deep, human, and powerful. Passion is sustained emotional energy directed toward something that feels meaningful. It’s not just excitement or enthusiasm — those come and go. Passion is the thing that keeps pulling you back…
Passion is one of those deceptively simple words that points to something deep, human, and powerful. Passion is sustained emotional energy directed toward something that feels meaningful. It’s not j…
Passion is one of those deceptively simple words that points to something deep, human, and powerful. Passion is sustained emotional energy directed toward something that feels meaningful. It’s not just excitement or enthusiasm — those come and go. Passion is the thing that keeps pulling you back, even when it’s hard, inconvenient, or uncertain. Passion is a compass that points you toward what feels purposeful, even if you can’t fully explain why. It’s the inner “lean” toward something — art, teaching, service, building, learning. It’s tied to who you feel you are or who you�…
On Being a Rural Police Officer: Trauma Still Exists Despite the Quiet Small-Town Life. Death and Injury, the Things Police See, and Why Rural Officers Carry Invisible Scars. The Podcast is available for free on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website, also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify…
On Being a Rural Police Officer: Trauma Still Exists Despite the Quiet Small-Town Life. Death and Injury, the Things Police See, and Why Rural Officers Carry Invisible Scars. The Podcast is available …
On Being a Rural Police Officer: Trauma Still Exists Despite the Quiet Small-Town Life. Death and Injury, the Things Police See, and Why Rural Officers Carry Invisible Scars. The Podcast is available for free on the Law Enforcement Talk Radio Show and Podcast website, also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, iHeartradio and most major podcast platforms. #LawEnforcementTalk #Free #Podcast #Radio
When most people picture a rural police officer, they often imagine something straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Neighbors know each other's names. Kids ride bicycles through quiet neighborhoo…
Talent is often described as a natural aptitude or skill — a kind of built-in ability that someone seems to possess from an early age. We say things like “She has a talent for music” or “He’s a natural at sports.” But what does that really mean? Is talent something you’re born with, or…
Talent is often described as a natural aptitude or skill — a kind of built-in ability that someone seems to possess from an early age. We say things like “She has a talent for music” or “He’…
Talent is often described as a natural aptitude or skill — a kind of built-in ability that someone seems to possess from an early age. We say things like “She has a talent for music” or “He’s a natural at sports.” But what does that really mean? Is talent something you’re born with, or can it be developed? At its core, talent is the potential to do something well. It might show up in physical activities like running, dancing, or drawing, or in mental skills like problem-solving, emotional understanding, or inventiveness. Some talents show up early in life, almost like magic. A ch…
Debra Eckerling
July 21, 2026
Nicole H. 
Michelle Greenwell 
Royce Shook 
Lisa Smith 
Olivia L. 
John Jay Wiley 