Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, just ask 90-year old Anežka (Agnes) Kašpárková. After stories came out about a small village in Poland that was covered in painted flowers, this Czech grandma decided to spread the same kind of joy and beauty in her town.
The village in Poland is called Zalipie, just 90 minutes from Krakow, and is covered in beautiful painted flowers. It first started years ago as a way to cover soot marks from ovens as back then there wasn’t sufficient ventilation. Eventually more and more people began painting their homes and ever since 1948 the village has held a Painted Cottage Competition, or Malowana Chata. The original purpose of this contest was part of a movement to help Poland psychologically recover from the atrocities that the country suffered in World War II
Now Agnes is taking the time to paint her hometown of Louka, Czech Republic in beautiful flowers. With bright blue paint, she works through the spring and summer to brighten up the homes and buildings in her town.
“I am an artist,” she stated to Czech media. “I just enjoy it and I want to help.”
With just a small brush and some paint, Agnes creates intricate floral patterns inspired by traditional Moravian (southern Czech) artwork. As a former agricultural worker, painting was a hobby that quickly became a passion that shows in the dedication and detail of her work.
With a joy for life and all the beauty that it holds, Agnes is more evidence that age is just a number. Never stop doing what you love and you’ll never stop loving it.