Article written by retired criminal defense attorney and current art student Mike Taheri.
In the late summer of 2025, while deeply considering taking Professor Kyle Butler’s Drawing 101 class, yet looking for valid excuses not to, I explained to him my concern about being embarrassed by my lack of drawing skills. Among other lame excuses, I magnanimously informed him that I did not want to hold the class back due to my lack of experience. Deep down, I wanted to avoid drawing “stick men” that would be on daily display to art students for their critiques. His response: “Age is no limit to creativity. You will be fine.” Reluctantly, this 67-year-old student agreed with the talented 40-year-old artist/ instructor, and I signed up for my first ever drawing class.
As Villa Maria’s most senior student, I realized mastery of basic drawing skills was not my goal. Yes, I wanted to learn a few basics about drawing, but I had different objectives in taking the class. I wanted to experience something new and explore a subject where I had no expectations or knowledge. I wanted to take some new risks. And unlike in my previous career as a criminal defense lawyer, if my output was not very good, no one went to jail.
I experienced a strong sense of making myself vulnerable and what that could mean to me as I enter a new stage of life- the life of a senior citizen. I had no formal education in drawing, and no experience in this area that “qualified” me take this class with committed art students. I was going in “naked,” blind and with no expectations of any latent talent. (But I also had no interest in going to lunch at a senior citizen center on Wednesdays for meatloaf…at least not yet.)
I wanted to be around young people, hear their ideas and learn from them. How did they see art? What were they trying to achieve in their careers? Why and how did they end up at Villa? How did they see the world, and what is important to them?
For most of us, telling jokes and singing in public is scary stuff. Drawing is also one of those scary first world experiences. No one wants to hear that their “horse” looks like a giraffe or their “cube” looks more like a cylinder.
Having a drawing critiqued is hard to take, but that’s the fun part of drawing classes at Villa. The students are honest yet very kind and helpful. Nothing they said to me during a critique was mean spirited or disheartening. From the very start of class, I felt welcomed and included. One of the most telling and funny experiences was when a student told me in a kind way that my drawing from scene in a horror movie- we were working on shading – had a robot with arms “that looked like noodles.” He was right. When I looked at my robot’s arms, they were noodle like. The student was serious about making the comment and wanted me to improve my skills.
The students were raw and candid in their comments, but they make their suggestions in a spirit of support, kindness and for each student’s improvement. What a great experience for a senior citizen to experience that type of exchange with a freshman college student.
If a person is interested in having this type of meaningful student critique and exchange, the “senior student” needs to be seen as authentic by the students. By authentic, the senior needs to be seen as a real student. I came to every class – 30 in total. I did every homework assignment, every drawing exercise, and participated in every student critique. I also “suffered” through a midterm critique with Professor Kyle where he reviews all of your work. By going deep into the class, the students saw me as a fellow student, not an old guy. Simply stated, I had skin in the game and students knew I was serious. That’s when the class opens up to you. The students saw me as one of them.
Professor Butler’s Drawing class was a total joy for all the right reasons. True, I did not master drawing, nor did I discover a hidden talent that was delayed in manifesting itself. My drawing skills did improve greatly, and I am not ashamed to tackle drawing a plant or a landscape. I was blessed to learn how to draw basic and recognizable objects.
Most importantly, I was around young talented students who welcomed me into the classroom and educated me about drawing including how to improve. I also had a wonderful and encouraging instructor in Professor Butler, who always – and this is his gift – had something positive to say about my drawing. (How the hell he managed to say so many nice things remains a mystery.)
What’s next? I signed up to take the next class, titled Figurative Drawing, with Professor Kate Gaudy. Before making a final decision, she reviewed my modest “portfolio of drawings” – both of my sketch pads. Another humbling experience as her review was the first time anyone outside of the drawing class had seen these sketch pads. Again, like Professor Butler, she had kind words and told me I could handle the course. But in Figure Drawing, she informed me, the models wear undergarments – they are not naked. So, in the Spring of 2026 I will enter new territory and meet more talented students who will critique and share their thoughts about my figure drawing skills.
Villa Maria College is a hidden jewel in our community.
Beginning with President Matt Giordino, to the faculty, to the administration, to its maintenance crew, everything “works” at this small college with a gentle heart. It has developed a community that welcomes everyone and supports their aspirations. We are blessed to have this college, and I would strongly encourage anyone to at least visit the college and consider taking a class in an area of interest. It’s ok to feel “naked” in the classroom at Villa Maria.
