These 10 Winning Artworks Prove That Talent Has No Expiration Date

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The winning works from Artists Magazine‘s 2020 Over 60 Competition prove that age is nothing but a number.

**Staircase** (acrylic on canvas, 24×30) by Carol Loeb

“Age is just a number.” That adage is especially true in the vocation of art. There’s no expiration date on talent, and one’s output has the potential of getting all the better with time, experience, and miles of canvas. The 10 winners of Artists Magazine’s 2020 Over 60 Competition range in age from their 60s to 90s. Together, they prove that artists can be in the prime of their creativity at any age. As many of them attest, it’s never too late to devote more time to your passion (or to enter an art competition).

Take a look at their winning artwork below, and then check out the March/April 2021 issue of Artists Magazine to learn even more about each artist’s story, creative process, and advice to other creators.

Staircase by Carol Loeb

Carol Loeb’s Art Story

“After completing art school, as a single parent, I decided to teach art, which provided a stable schedule and income. Over the next 30 years I taught in Canada and in international schools throughout the world. After returning to Canada in 2007, I began to paint for myself during the summer holidays and, eventually, most weekends. By 2012, I was spending increased time painting and becoming more serious in my approach. I began successfully entering shows in 2013, and for the next five years I continued gaining confidence and momentum. I took the plunge and retired from teaching last year in order to concentrate on my art full time. This allowed me to paint without interruption for the first time since art school, and I am loving it!”

Learn more about Carol Loeb at carolloeb.weebly.com.

Connie III by Diana De Santis

*Connie III* (pastel on board, 30×22) by Diana De Santis

Diana De Santis’s Art Story

“I’m a graduate of the Parsons School of Design and also attended Traphagen School of Design, but I didn’t paint seriously until after my four children were grown. In 1989, at the age of 62, I started attending the Art Students League of New York, where I studied under David Leffel and Harvey Dinnerstein. Since then I’ve exhibited my work world- wide and won many awards. Now in my 90s, I’m still painting.”

Learn more about Diana De Santis at dianadesantis.com.

The Guardians by Helen K. Beacham

***The Guardians*** (watercolor on paper, 22×22) by Helen K Beacham

Helen K Beacham’s Art Story

“I was in my late 20s when I chose art to be a part of my life and watercolor as my medium. Two years later I entered a local show and won second place, which gave me reassurance that I was on the right path. For years, while working a day job, I spent my vacations either taking a workshop or participating in outdoor art festivals around the country. I painted nights and weekends. Three years ago, I set new challenges for myself and decided to enter not only national but also international competitions. I found myself leaning more toward narrative subjects, which have garnered me recognition and awards.”

Learn more about Helen K Beacham at helenkbeacham.com.

Fabric of My Shell by Tracy Frein

**Fabric of My Shell** (colored pencil on drafting film, 38×31) by Tracy Frein

Tracy Frein’s Art Story

“I learned the creative process of fleshing out ideas in the package-design field, in which I worked for more than 35 years. In 2013, I realized that my color portraits were lacking emotion and depth, and I decided to decrease the colors in my palette. Color, or the lack of it, possesses emotion without the need to tell a story. For me, drawing with a limited palette helps put things into a new perspective. It can literally put specific aspects of life into focus.”

Learn more about Tracy Frein at tfrein.artspan.com.

Dionysus by JuliAnne Jonker

***Dionysus*** (oil and wax on art board, 30×22) by JuliAnne Jonker

JuliAnne Jonker’s Art Story

“I raised four children with my husband, and I’ve also had a thriving portrait photography studio for the last 26 years, so for a long time, I had to put my love of painting on hold. Over the last nine years, I’ve been slowly transitioning to full- time painting. I still have photography clients, but many have transitioned with me from my mixed-media portraits (photos combined with various art media) to my freehand painted portraits. I’m so grateful to have the time and freedom at this point in my life.”

Learn more about JuliAnne Jonker at juliannejonker.com.

Disapproval by Pam Wenger

***Disapproval*** (watercolor on paper 16 1⁄2x 21 1⁄2) by Pam Wenger

Pam Wenger’s Art Story

“I didn’t start painting until 2013, after I retired from a career in public education. Drawing people has always been a passion of mine, but it wasn’t until I stopped working that I took an introductory class at a local art association to learn the basics of painting in watercolor. After taking a workshop with Ted Nuttall, in 2014, I got hooked on painting portraits in watercolor. I began to take myself more seriously as a painter after being asked to do demonstrations and teach watercolor workshops for various art organizations. Having paintings accepted into competitions has helped as well. I love that I have this new career. I’m busy with my work- shops and competitions, and I enjoy fellowship with other artists who are on this same journey. I feel so lucky to have discovered this passion for watercolor at this stage of life.”

Learn more about Pam Wenger at pamwenger.com.

Mirror, Mirror by Ginger Gehres

***Mirror, Mirror*** (scratchboard with colored inks, 30×30) by Ginger Gehres

Ginger Gehres’s Art Story

“My grandmother taught me to draw and paint as soon as I could hold a crayon, and I’ve been creating ever since. After high school I became a commercial graphic artist, eventually working at various media companies and in corporate web design. When I was in my early 40s, I had a medical event that took away the majority of control of my left side (I’m left-handed) as well as my speech. It took two years of intense therapy to get back most of my abilities. Surprisingly, art was one of the main therapies that helped me reacquire coordination. Ever since that medical mishap, I’ve been out of the corporate world, creating and teaching art. It’s my joy to share with others.”

Learn more about Ginger Gehres at gingergehres.com.

Family Dynamics by Marla Thirsk

***Family Dynamics*** (acrylic on canvas, 48×36) by Marla Thirsk

Marla Thirsk’s Art Story

“My father used to quip that he thought I must have been born with a paintbrush in my hand as I was always drawing and painting. Not until I was in my 40s, however, did I believe in myself enough to take the art life seriously. That’s when I began entering art shows and contests. When I started winning awards, I got the nerve to approach galleries. I found an audience slowly and began to gain recognition as an artist. Originally I painted figures, then I moved on to landscapes, and it wasn’t until about 2016 that the style of the painting seen in Family Dynamics began to emerge. Now it’s my recognized technique — but I’m eclectic, and I keep moving back and forth. I think this comes from never having received formal training; I was never pigeon-holed artistically, so I paint however I want.”

Learn more about Marla Thirsk on Facebook and her Instagram page, @marlathirskartist.

Rush Hour 1 by Kathie George

**Rush Hour 1** (watercolor batik on rice paper, 22×17) by Kathie George

Kathie George’s Art Story

“I’d always dreamed of being an artist. Art wasn’t offered in my high school, but my husband signed me up for a college art class. I painted all the time after that. That’s not to say I considered myself an artist. I had many doubts, but I kept working and believing that I could do it if only I didn’t give up. I don’t think that doubt ever leaves you as an artist, but it’s something we learn to live with. It almost seems that one day I woke up and happily thought to myself, I’m an artist!”

Learn more about Kathie George at kathiegeorge.com.

NYC Distance by Kathryn Wedge

**NYC Distance** (watercolor on paper, 22×15) by Kathryn Wedge

Kathryn Wedge’s Art Story

“I went to college to study art, took a detour for a year to study architecture and then landed back in the arts, earning a BFA with an emphasis in commercial art. I started painting seriously about 20 years ago when I began entering juried shows, exhibiting at art fairs and taking commissions. I think my background as a graphic designer influenced my desire to take on a variety of subjects and media. I feel I found my voice around 2008, when I decided it was acceptable to paint what I love rather than staying in one lane.”

Learn more about Kathryn Wedge at kathrynwedge.com.

Check out March/April 2021 issue of Artists Magazine to learn even more about each artist’s story, creative process, and advice to other creators. And if you’re interested in submitting your work to one of our upcoming art competitions, take a look at the entry guidelines here.