BLOOMINGTON - Louise Bellas is back. How the 81-year-old Normal resident persevered in the face of pain and life changes to paint again may inspire others.

Bellas, who's had art exhibits throughout Central Illinois, took a year off from painting because of back and hip problems coupled with the hassle of moving to a new home.

However, back surgery and total hip replacement late last year have reinvigorated Bellas, who's taking a watercolor class to revitalize her painting.

Her determination is an inspiration to her husband, Ralph, 82, who thinks others could be inspired as well.

"People need to stay active. They need something to add enrichment to their lives," he said.

For Louise Bellas, this means painting.

Her favorite medium is watercolor, and her favorite subject flowers, which she said "help capture the beauties of nature."

The first step back for Bellas is a watercolor class at the Normal Community Activity Center, One Normal Plaza, where she also attends an art workshop.

The watercolor classes began in mid-July and will continue until early August.

Bellas hopes the classes re-energize her and help her recover some of the skills that eroded during her layoff.

"I feel like I'm starting over," she said.

Starting over won't be a snap. There'll be some changes.

One change will be a new art studio at her new condo on Northpointe Drive.

Art already permeates the atmosphere of the condo, and much of it is her work. The goal of completing a watercolor worthy of framing inspires Bellas, who started painting in her late '60s.

Before that, she taught at the Mennonite School of Nursing.

"I guess (nursing and painting) are very different. Painting is using the other side of the brain," she said.

Painting runs in her family, even if she took it up late. Her mother painted, as does a sister.

Despite all the painting she's done, Bellas doesn't consider herself an artist.

Ralph Bellas, who has displayed photography and poetry along with his wife's watercolors at exhibits, thinks she's being modest. He retired in 1979 from the English department at Illinois State University.

Her hobby yielded one painting a week in her prime. She expects to concentrate on fewer pieces during her comeback.

The Bellases, who have traveled to all 50 states and about 45 countries, also want to travel more.

The native Pennsylvanians moved to Normal in 1965 and served in the Peace Corps in the Fiji Islands from 1986 to 1988.

Bellas drew art inspiration from the Peace Corps experience.

Noriko Coley of Streator, who teaches Bellas at the seniors program, is impressed by her student's persistence. It also inspires Jennifer Engelman, director of the seniors program.

"I'd love to see more like her," Engelman said.