A 91原创 senior proved to herself that it鈥檚 never too late in life to start something new.

started painting professionally six years ago, and is displaying her artwork at the upcoming West Fine Arts Show from Friday, March 8 to Sunday, March 10 at Yorkson Creek Middle School.

While on the verge of retirement, Sykes took up a painting class after her friend gave her some important life advice.

鈥淎 very good friend said don鈥檛 retire unless you have a reason to get up in the morning. So I kept not retiring, and then I joined an art class and discovered that I could paint. It gave me a reason to get up and I retired,鈥� Sykes explained.

For most of her life, Sykes worked as the director of operations for a social services agency in Vancouver, a job she referred to as 鈥渓eft-brained.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檝e always had paints, but only because somebody gave them to me. I didn鈥檛 know I could do anything with them. I had no idea there was art in me. It鈥檚 amazing what you can discover by accident.鈥�

And since retiring in 2014, Sykes paints for hours each day, and her specialty is 鈥渦ltra-realistic, representational鈥� paintings.

鈥淐olours seemed to come naturally,鈥� she said of her bright paintings of flowers, birds, and scenery.

Sykes keeps busy as she鈥檚 a foster-parent to teenagers, and is a member of the Port Kells Art Club and the Federation of Canadian Artists.

鈥淩etirement is the world鈥檚 best kept secret. I鈥檓 so grateful to the friend who said 鈥榙on鈥檛 retire unless you have a reason to get up in the morning.鈥� For those who follow that rule and retire properly 鈥� you don鈥檛 have to have a ton of money, you just need something that gives you a reason to get up. Retirement is not the end of anything. It鈥檚 the beginning of something new if you do it right,鈥� she added.

Although she鈥檚 been to various art shows in the past, Sykes said the West Fine Arts Show was one she鈥檚 always 鈥渁spired鈥� to be in.

Much of Sykes鈥� inspiration comes from her own backyard where she lives on five acres of property with a creek and a flower garden.

Although she鈥檚 established herself in the realm of painting blossoms, flowers, and other realistic subjects, Sykes said she is still working on 鈥渇inding herself.鈥�

鈥淚 haven鈥檛 found myself. I can paint blossoms, I know I can do that, but now that鈥檚 become commonplace. I want to see what else I can do. I鈥檓 so new I haven鈥檛 found what I can do, so it鈥檚 all a journey,鈥� she explained.

One of her favourite and most popular paintings is titled Fuchsia Bouquet.

鈥淧eople like it. I don鈥檛 know what it is about it. It鈥檚 kind of soft and delicate,鈥� Sykes explained.

And the senior artist said there鈥檚 no stopping her newfound passion.

鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 imagine not doing it [painting] and putting it away.鈥�

, said the show has been around for 10 years.

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He explained it evolved from an idea to put up a few panels of local artwork, to the prestigious show it is today with 23 artists, a team of board members and volunteers, equipment, and live music.

The show has been partnered with the 91原创 School District Foundation for two years, and proceeds from art sales go directly to the foundation.

Student art will also be on display, and local guitar player John Gilliat be performing.

Croft explained there will also be a special display remembering Nancy Crawford 鈥� a 91原创 artist and teacher at 91原创 Fine Arts School, who passed away last September.

The show runs until Sunday, March 10 at Yorkson Creek Middle School at 20686 84th Ave.

Admission and parking are free, and hours and more information can be found here: