Pauline showcases the power of art at Coasthaven

Pauline Tilley has magic in her fingertips. She knits, does cross-stitch and paints. Her work is a highlight of the Artist In Residence exhibition at Baptcare Coasthaven Aged Care Community.

She is also a great supporter of her fellow creatives. In a speech to welcome Baptcare CEO Geraldine Lannon to the art show, Pauline said, “Art can be described as vibrant, vivid, dramatic, animated, stimulative and evocative.

“When the concept of this was originally put to us, little did we know what ideas would germinate from those first thoughts. From behind closed doors came an incredible array of artistic talents. People have been beavering away in their rooms creating their amazing works of art. We have painters of all genres, woodcarvers, knitters, crocheters, pen and ink artists, needleworkers, diamond painters, and those who just love to colour in.”

Pauline has lived at Coasthaven since 2020. Her life story includes growing up on a dairy farm near Apollo Bay, working in a frock salon, training as a woollen fabric mender, working for the railways, in catering and family assistance in the social welfare sector. No matter what work occupied her days, she always made time for art and craft.

“I get a great sense of satisfaction knowing I can do these things,” Pauline said. “I do all sorts of knitting, including Fair Isle and Aran. I make dolls.

“One of my latest enthusiasms is diamond painting, where you place tiny dots of colour on a canvas, following a set pattern – it is similar in that regard to cross-stitch. It is very time consuming and tests the eyesight, but I like the result.”

Organising the exhibition as part of the resident-led art committee was an eye-opener. “The amount of artistic talent we have here at Coasthaven I simply didn’t know about before. It has given us a sense of achievement and a sense of belonging.”

Pauline regularly attends nearby Cloverdale Community Centre for art lessons. So far she has learned acrylic and oil painting, and she is looking forward to starting with watercolours soon. Her bigger goal is to take an online course through the Royal School of Needlework, based at Hampton Court in England.

“Pauline is absolutely amazing,” Coasthaven Lifestyle Coordinator Nora Wee said. “Her talent is incredible, and we are so proud to be able to nurture her interest in art, and the work she has done to help stage the exhibition has been a real gift to her fellow residents.”