Retirement a fresh canvas for Baptistcare Riverside artist
Baptistcare Riverside resident self-taught artist John Kik took up painting when he retired 30 years ago, drawing on a lifetime of adventure.
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19 July 2021
News
| Retirement Living
Baptistcare Riverside resident self-taught artist John Kik took up painting when he retired 30 years ago, drawing on a lifetime of travel, adventure and family history.
It wasn’t the bowls, swimming pool or rooftop barbecue that drew 84-year-old artist John Kik to his apartment at Baptistcare Riverside, a stylish retirement living facility in Salter Point.
Among the attractions at Baptistcare Riverside were the lock-and-leave lifestyle, the riverside setting and the natural light on the balcony, where you’ll often find the former mechanical engineer painting in the afternoons.
Dutch-born Mr Kik took up painting when he retired 30 years ago, drawing on a lifetime of travel, adventure and family history.
“Retirement opens new doors and gives you a new outlook on things,” he said.
“In Rotterdam, where I was born, we lived along the harbour and I’d see the ships coming and going and I would dream,” Mr Kik said.
Even at a young age Mr Kik was skilled at drawing and wanted to be an artist, but his father had other plans for him so painting had to wait.
“The passion for art was always there, but not something I had an opportunity to get serious about until I retired,” said Mr Kik who moved to Baptistcare Riverside 10 years ago with his late wife Maria.
“Not only is Riverside close to the river, but Maria’s health was deteriorating, and I could visit her easily when she moved next door into Baptistcare Gracewood Residential Care also in Salter Point, just a short walk away.
“I will always be grateful for the tremendous support I received when Maria died, both from the Baptistcare Riverside community and the team at Baptistcare Gracewood.
“I am very happy where I am, surrounded by good people, and my kids are happy knowing that I’m happy. I still love adventure and can go away without worrying about the apartment,” Mr Kik said.
Sadly, the pandemic scuppered Mr Kik’s plans for a “bucket list” voyage on the Queen Mary to Cape Town, followed by months of travel to Egypt, Israel, the Greek Islands, Croatia, Holland and finally Russia to visit the State Hermitage Museum, the second-largest art museum in the world.
Fortunately, the self-taught artist still has plenty of past travels to draw inspiration from.
In his 20s, Mr Kik travelled through India, Thailand and Afghanistan on a BSA 650 motorcycle then hitchhiked his way to Holland via Iran and Turkey.
“There were a million adventures and not a few hairy moments along the way,” he said.
Both Mr and Mrs Kik had an adventurous spirit. In the 1960s they arrived in Los Angles with nothing but a suitcase and $400. Two years later they returned to Australia to start a family but by 1972 had itchy feet again.
“We travelled the whole of the US again, plus Canada and then on to Europe, all the while with two children, aged two and four,” Mr Kik said.
At the urging of family and friends, Mr Kik finally organised an informal exhibition of his paintings, inviting people to enjoy the artworks that cover the walls of his apartment at Baptistcare Riverside.
Set on the leafy banks of the Canning River, Baptistcare Riverside is one of Perth’s most sought-after retirement villages.
Offering retirement living for people aged over 60, Baptistcare Riverside consists of 81 apartments set in landscaped gardens on the banks of the Swan River.
The facilities at Baptistcare Riverside include secure parking, an emergency call system, air-conditioning, and plenty of room to entertain family and friends without the burden of maintenance, strata fees or gardening.
Follow this link for more information about Retirement Living or contact us on 1300 275 227.