Bob Barker proves it’s never too late to follow a passion

Country Meadows of Hershey hosts a monthlong exhibit of acrylic paintings by resident Bob Barker from August 30 – September 30, 2024.

Bob Barker spent much of his professional career as a graphic designer in and around New York City. “I had always wanted to be a painter, but never gave myself permission,” he says.

It was only after his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease followed by the passing of his longtime partner that he took up oil painting about three or four years ago. He rented office space, bought some color paints, and “let the paint speak for itself.” For Bob, it is almost a spiritual experience. “What comes out of me, I say I didn’t do that. I just helped it be created.”

Bob came to Country Meadows of Hershey about a year ago so he could receive care for his Parkinson’s. Here, Bob was inspired to transform a large walk-in closet into an art studio. While painting in his apartment has meant changing mediums from oil painting to acrylic because of the odor of oil paint, there is an advantage to being able to bring a piece out day or night to re-evaluate his work.

“Because many times I don’t like what I did, and then I stop,” he says. “And then a voice says to me, ‘Go back and put another layer of paint on.’ And that’s where the magic happens. That’s where I see things that I hadn’t seen before.”

We’re going to have to get you a bigger closet.

Bob had never considered an exhibit of his artwork, but when the idea was suggested to him, he quickly embraced it. He is looking forward to sharing his paintings with his neighbors, Country Meadows co-workers, and visitors.

Now, Bob would like to try painting large-scale pieces, such as 40″x60″ canvases and exhibit in a gallery. “I can’t predict where my art is going to go next. So, I hope it goes someplace that pleases me. I’m a passenger on the train.”

He also dreams of transforming a shed (currently destined to be a woodworking shop) on Country Meadows property into an art studio. “It’s a beautiful space,” he says.

Active Aging Week

Julie Steffen, Director of Dynamic Living at Country Meadows of Hershey, shares that Bob’s exhibit will end on September 30, which also begins national Active Aging Week. “We would like to tie this exhibit and Bob’s experience into showing our residents that it’s never too late to try something new. They still have so much talent to share and to have the confidence to continue to pursue those passions. So, Bob is going to be our poster child for that.”

“I’m glad to be the representative,” he says, “because you learn about old people by being one.” He adds, “One good thing about this stage in life is that I can pretty much do what I want. And there’s a great freedom in that, but this is a phase in life that you kind of wish never happened, but it did. But I look out my window here and it’s a really good experience, a good place to be.”

Besides painting, Bob is active at Country Meadows of Hershey participating in fitness classes and walking every day on campus. He likes to get moving early in the day to “get his engine running.”

Bob offers one more piece of advice

Bob encourages the old and young alike to follow their passions. “There may be something you haven’t tried. Try it and fail. It’s okay. It’s no fun to fail, but there’s no telling what might pop up in your world if you give it a try. I always tell people, it’s not what you think it’s going to be. It’ll be something else. And be open to the something else. That’s my story and I’m sticking with it.”

On Friday, August 30 at 3:30 p.m., Bob will open his exhibit with a slide presentation in the Rose Room at Country Meadows, 451 Sand Hill Road, Hershey. His paintings will be displayed in the lobby (and for sale) throughout the month of September. The public is welcome to attend the event. For more information, contact Hershey@CountryMeadows.com.