Christine Hazell, 89, Who Started Drawing at 88, Gets Solo Show at Studio Voltaire

At the age of 88, Christine Hazell, an artist from York, England, took up drawing in May 2025, encouraged by her daughter to aid her memory issues. Utilizing colored pencils gifted by her grandchildren, she creates reinterpretations of photographs rather than conventional portraits. Her son, Matthew Higgs, a curator, showcased her artwork on Instagram, attracting thousands of followers. Hazell has completed around 400 drawings featuring family, friends, neighbors, and notable figures like Picasso and David Hockney. In December 2025, she held her inaugural exhibition at the Partisan café in York. This July, 'Different Faces,' featuring 25 of her pieces, will be displayed at London's Studio Voltaire from July 15 to October 18, 2026. Hazell's technique involves intentionally 'spoiling the perfection' to present subjects with a 'different face.' Additionally, she sketched a vase of daffodils from life for the first time. The American Academy of Neurology suggests that engaging in arts and crafts during middle and old age may help mitigate memory decline.