20 March 2025
Two FirstPort residents from Northallerton, North Yorkshire, have found a new passion for art in retirement, producing impressive artwork that has drawn admiration from their community.
Gerald Catton and Alan Usher, both residents at the FirstPort-managed Arden Court independent-living retirement development, have embraced their creative sides in recent years, with Gerald focusing on oil painting and Alan on drawing.
Gerald, who only began painting after retiring to Spain, recently completed a striking oil painting of a mountain scene set in North Wales. His work has drawn attention from fellow residents, and he is now considering holding an exhibition at Arden Court.
“I was never interested in painting before, but I decided to give it a try,” Gerald said. “I started with watercolours, but I wasn’t very good at it, so I switched to oils and really enjoyed it. My wife and I love the outdoors – hiking mountains and the moors – and my paintings reflect those landscapes. I take inspiration from artists like Ashley Jackson and Charles Wyatt Warren.”
Meanwhile, Alan has been focussing on drawing and has compiled a calendar featuring his illustrations.
“I started drawing cartoons as a youngster and later added colour to them for friends and family. But I now prefer working in black pencil,” Alan said.
The pair’s talents have been widely praised and FirstPort Development Manager, Yvonne Mulholland, highlighted the impact of their work. “Despite their modesty about their abilities, their work speaks for itself, bringing inspiration to their fellow residents and beyond,” she said. “We are really looking forward to seeing how their artistic journey continues.”
