Born in 1891 in Columbus, Georgia, Alma Thomas was the first African-American woman to have a solo show mounted at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Even more interestingly, she only began her painting career at the tender ager of 69. Even though at this time Thomas was plagued with painful arthritis and a deteriorating eyesight, she completely dedicated herself and her energy to her art, and emerged to be one of the most prominent abstract expressionist painters of the 1960s and 70s.

In 1924, Thomas was not only the first student to graduate from Howard University with a fine arts degree, but she was possibly the first African-American woman anywhere to hold a bachelors degree in fine arts. Thereafter, Thomas dedicated the majority of her adult life to teaching art in city schools in Washington D.C..

I recently came across Thomas's work this past week, and I am truly inspired by her -- mainly for the fact that age did not hinder her from creating and starting anew, in terms of delving into her passion, which ultimately took the path of a new career. She expanded the boundaries in so many ways, and her work is a true testament to how ageless and timeless creativity is.

When it came to her later works, Alma Thomas looked for inspiration in her home's garden. The way the natural elements were constantly changing, the colors, the seasons... Her paintings reflect the essence of change and movement.

Eclipse, 1970

Evening Glow, 1972

Air View of a Spring Nursery, 1966