At 90 years old, Roy Allaire spends his days cruising the halls of the California Veterans Home in Fresno, surrounded by familiar sights, including many of his own paintings.<\/p>\n
“I can’t imagine living without being able to paint,” Allaire said.<\/p>\n
Allaire began painting as a child, developing what he describes as a lifelong love of art and artists. Over the years, he has worked in a variety of styles and mediums, including acrylics.<\/p>\n
“With this kind of medium, I’m using acrylic, you can use it like watercolor,” he said.<\/p>\n
Allaire joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1953 at the age of 16 and eventually rose to the rank of staff sergeant.<\/p>\n
RELATED: 34th Central Valley Honor Flight taking veterans to Washington, DC<\/a><\/p>\n Reflecting on his service, he spoke proudly about his time in uniform.<\/p>\n “Pardon the expression, but I was a bad ass Marine when I was in the Marine Corps,” Allaire said. “And I loved the Marine Corps.”<\/p>\n His commanding officers soon noticed his artistic talent, assigning him to paint everything from signs to footlockers while stationed in Japan.<\/p>\n “The officers knew I knew how to paint, so I spent a lot of time painting footlockers with pagodas and bridges,” he said.<\/p>\n Allaire spent 13 years in the Marines, traveling and taking in scenes that later inspired his artwork.<\/p>\n He eventually returned home to Atascadero, though his painting slowed over the decades.<\/p>\n Two years ago, after moving into the Fresno Veterans Home, Allaire rekindled his passion for art.<\/p>\n “It’s like the Lord’s given me this blessing and finally I’m getting to use it,” he said.<\/p>\n His private room is filled with his paintings and Western artwork. One corner serves as his art studio, stocked with brushes, canvases, oil paints and an easel.<\/p>\n Using those tools, Allaire created a large painting of the Veterans Home that will soon be displayed inside the facility.<\/p>\n “That took me, oh, what, couple months?,” he said.<\/p>\n Despite his age and fading eyesight, Allaire says he remains committed to painting and sharing his work with others.<\/p>\n “The Lord didn’t start me painting again to make money off my paintings. He made to give joy to other people and that’s what I try to do,” he said.<\/p>\n For news updates, follow Warren Armstrong on Facebook<\/a> and X<\/a>.<\/p>\n