MANDAN, N.D. (KFYR) – When you reach retirement and end a decades-long career, it may feel like there’s not much left to do.
For Cindy Rostritto, retirement was the beginning of an exciting new journey as a professional artist.
Cindy has loved art all her life.
Two years into college, she told her advisor that she wanted to become an art teacher, but they said she was too late for it.
Instead, she became an early education teacher.
Cindy spends a considerable amount of time at the Mandan Art Workshop. But that wasn’t always her life.
While working as a teacher, Cindy found ways to incorporate her love of nature and art into her lessons. She and her students painted murals and studied owls. She is also an avid bird watcher.
She also plays the cello, gardens, and reads.
However, even though she was always interested in learning to draw, she kept telling herself that she would learn when she retired.
A paint night with her fellow teachers convinced her of this.
“When I picked up a canvas and a paintbrush, I knew I needed to be a painter,” Cindy said.
When she retired about four years ago, she finally pursued that dream. She taught herself how to draw by watching videos and trial and error.
At the age of 69, she participated in her first art exhibition at the Bismarck Museum. One of her paintings was sold there.
“My thought was, ‘I’m an artist!’ and I was like, ‘Wow, who wants to buy what I draw?'” Cindy said.
But she said she’s still learning. She and the other artists in the workshop teach each other different techniques.
And she hasn’t stopped teaching completely, regularly tutoring her granddaughter in art.
While you might think Cindy regrets waiting so long to learn how to paint, she says she’s glad she didn’t start her career in the art world.
“I think it’s much more fun to be able to draw as much as you want, as much as you want, as much as you want. I think that’s a gift, and when that happens,” Cindy said.
She also doesn’t limit herself to a particular style. She paints landscapes, cityscapes, and abstract works and encourages others not to limit themselves.
“People say, ‘Oh, I don’t know, I’m not talented,’ or, ‘I draw stick figures,’ or, yeah, ‘I’m too old,’ but it takes ages to learn.” It’s never too much. It’s something new,” Cindy said.
She said no matter what your age, you have value.
Throughout the month of November, you can see Cindy’s artwork for yourself at Brick Oven Bakery.
She donates 10 percent of her sales to various organizations and charities.
The Art Workshop also operates the nonprofit North Dakota Art Project. The program provides supplies to artists and encourages veterans, individuals with limited income, college students, and others to paint.
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