SHARON, Wis. — Tucked away in the small town of Sharon — near the Wisconsin-Illinois border in Walworth County — Martha Hayden has spent decades perfecting her craft. At 89-years-old, she still works in her Queen Anne-style historic home.

What You Need To Know

  • Martha Hayden is a world-renowned artist. Here in the U.S., her paintings have been featured at more than 450 regional and national museums and art galleries

  • Once a year Hayden opens her Sharon home to showcase her artwork, some of which dates back to the 1950s. After doing so for decades, she’s made up her mind that this year will be her last time doing this

  • Nearly a year ago, Hayden was diagnosed with myopic degeneration, an eye condition that affects the retina and leads to a gradual loss of vision

  • Hayden’s final showcase is set for Oct. 19 and 20 at her home in Sharon, Wis. Details are available, here

Hayden is a world-renowned artist. In her more than 70 years as a painter, her work has been displayed worldwide. Here in the U.S., her paintings have been featured at more than 450 regional and national museums and art galleries.

Once a year Hayden opens her Sharon home to showcase her artwork, some of which dates back to the 1950s. After doing so for decades, she’s made up her mind that this year will be her last time doing this.

"It’s beginning to be too much for me to do," she said. "But I’ll still be painting."

Nearly a year ago, Hayden was diagnosed with myopic degeneration, an eye condition that affects the retina and leads to a gradual loss of vision.

"The doctor I saw in Milwaukee told me to paint what I can see," she explained. "Actually, what you paint—  whether you're seeing it or not — about half of it is [coming from] your brain. It’s what you know."

While her sight is fading, Hayden said she can still distinguish colors and shapes, though the edges blur. She can no longer read, but that hasn’t stopped her from finding ways to adapt.

"Now, I am trying to learn what to do with this disability of mine,” Hayden said. “How do I use it? Make it a center point? There are many things you can do."

For Hayden, art is more than a hobby — it’s a calling. She said she’s approaching her health challenge like she approaches her work.

"I think you need a challenge," she said. "Otherwise, you’re just making another one. You’re furthering whatever your current quest is."

As she faces challenges that would stifle many artists, Hayden’s spirit remains strong.

"I’ve always worked every day, and I think that’s very important,” she said. “If you wait for some kind of muse to sit on your shoulder, you know that’s not going to happen. And if it does, you better have a brush in your hand."

Whether at her kitchen table or in her studio, a brush is never far from her reach. For Hayden, it’s not just a tool but an extension of her very being.

Hayden’s final showcase is set for Oct. 19 and 20 at her home in Sharon, Wis. Details are available, here.