Afternoon Dec 19 2021

I always try to make our sessions on theme for the passing season, but was struggling to find something for the upcoming holiday season that was new and fun. While I was poring over the aisles at Michaels I came across some plain glass ornaments that were perfect for painting.

The seniors loved the idea, and many had grandchildren and great-grandchildren to whom they wanted to gift their handmade trinkets. We soon found that it was much easier--and cleaner--to paint the insides of the ornaments and tilt the liquid acrylic to create a marbled effect. The process became quicker and more creative for every senior and did not require control over fine motor skills.

Each senior chose a combination of colours and poured the paint into the ornament. After screwing on the cap, they would shake the balls so the colours intermingle.

Penny loved shaking the ornaments, and despite accidentally leaking paint all over her hands, she was very happy with her snowflake ornament. Later she told me that she hung it on her family's Christmas tree during the holidays and even taught her grandson, Eddie, how to make his own.

Paul has always been our class maverick and likes experimenting with different techniques. He especially favours the spontaneity of abstract art and marvelled at the dynamic visuals of the oozing hues.

Allen has a talent for painting animals. He imagined a small deer curled up and sleeping, nestled against the glass or the delicate ornament. We started with a green base and painted a small deer overtop. He then painted two other ornaments for his great-grandchildren. We decorated them with black hats, carrot noses, and a rendition of his own red scarf.

Jocelyn loved realistic nature scenes so she asked if we could paint a festive holiday branch---"With those gorgeous red birds! Cardinals!"

Their ornaments boasted with personality and inventiveness, the glittering memories ornamented my Christmastime.