Redefining Retirement Through the Arts | Arts & Culture

Baby boomers are redefining what “retirement” means, abandoning the traditional idea of a retirement of leisure, and pursuing careers that are more creative and artistic. Cheryl Waale is one such baby-boomer. After retiring from a corporate job four years ago, Waale has created several bodies of work, and will be painting one of the largest works yet beginning August 7—a mural on the outside wall of A Very Taki Tiki Bar and Grill, 518 Main Street, in downtown Edmond’s.

A recent retirement survey by Merrill Lynch found that while 76% of baby boomers intend to keep working and earning in retirement, on average they expect to "retire" from their current career at around age 64, and then launch into an entirely new job or career(1). Waale’s story is similar to many baby boomers who have used retirement as an opportunity to pursue their passions with greater vitality. Waale left the corporate life to return fulltime to something she left 30 years earlier—painting. She always dreamed of being an artist but took a more traditional path to provide a steady income to support a family. Much of her career involved teaching and coaching others how to follow their dreams. She has come full circle—applying a lifetime of experience into a full-time career in fine art.
 
 “As a career coach, I watched how fulfilled people could be when they aligned their natural gifts with the work they did. Once we look at our options through a wide-angle lens, a world of opportunity opens up. I never felt as vulnerable in corporate life as I do as an artist. Starting anew can be very humbling, but every time I sell a painting, I feel validated. Even through the poor economy, I’ve been fortunate to have made several sales. It keeps me going.”

Waale has had several local exhibits, including the new Shoreline City Hall. Her work can be seen regularly at HouseWares in Edmonds. She will also be featured at the Edmonds Studio Tour Sept. 18-19. She can be reached through her website.