SUMMERSIDE, P.E.I. — Carin Jetté is not like most retirees that plan to step down from work, as she smooths a foot made from terra cotta clay.
Making eclectic art, owning a small guesthouse business and gearing up to be a yoga instructor has brought excitement and new purpose into her life.
She claims “it’s never too late” to rekindle a passion.
“I never had a career that lasted more than 30 years, because I never lived in one place for very long. Part of this movement was because of my dad, so I took that quality from him,” says Jetté, 65, who moved to Summerside with her husband John Callender, 78, in June 2019.
The couple retired from Victoria B.C. and decided to relocate to Mexico for a change in lifestyle, before finding their forever home in P.E.I.
“I worked for a developer selling property in the Baja California peninsula, so I was introduced to the culture, warm weather and friendly people living a simpler life,” says Jetté, who lived in the region for five years while rediscovering her interests that were pushed aside years ago.
“I graduated from Victoria College of Art in 1998 with a diploma, but the responsibilities of a full-time career and family took over. When I retired, I realized now this is my time, and there is nothing to stop me from pursuing past passions. My art is inspired by things that surround my life, such as yoga,” she says, acknowledging her art has been critiqued for not “fitting in the box” of a signature style.
Jetté transforms blank canvases into abstract art with wax, realistic acrylic paintings, mandala cards, pencil and charcoal drawings.
Her home is a tribute to her creativity and travel experiences, with splashes of colour, handmade décor and terra cotta clay sculptures of people.
“Carin can internalize depth and position when it comes to her sculptures. Her hands are magical. In terms of her art, what is extraordinary is she is very eclectic. Some artists find something that sells, or they like, while Carin likes to experiment,” says Callender, a retired architect (designer and builder).
Jetté owns the Windsong Studio’s Guestroom, located on Central Street, licensed under the Tourism Industry Act and regulations made thereunder to operate.
“My yoga, art and running the guestroom is about keeping the body and mind healthy. I’ve always loved fitness, and I think it’s really important as we get older to occupy our minds. I was an aerobics teacher many years ago, as well as a runner," she said.
“In a couple of weeks, I plan to return to Mexico to get a 26-day certification in yoga, so that I can bring that back and teach people in the community, hopefully at the Credit Union Place.”
And as for Callender, he plans to soon open a handyman store in a property located on their grounds.
To learn more about Windsong Studio's Guestroom or art, visit the Facebook page.
