What if the next great adventure didn’t begin with youth, but with wisdom-lined hands and a spark of curiosity?

Patti Vrabel’s Press Start to Continue jolts us into this powerful narrative with an image that is both tender and revolutionary. Selected for the 2nd Annual Passage of Life: Aging 2025 international smart exhibition, this 12×9-inch pastel drawing doesn’t whisper its message—it beams it through texture, symbolism, and astonishing technique.

At the center of Vrabel’s composition, a pair of aged, beautifully detailed hands cradle a modern video game controller. It’s an unexpected pairing that upends stereotypes and invites us to rethink everything we assume about aging. These are not idle hands resting in reflection—they are alive with intention, dexterity, and play. The symbolism is immediate and profound: no matter our age, we can press “start” again.

Vrabel masterfully uses her medium—pastel—to render the folds, veins, and character of the hands with breathtaking precision. The lighting plays like a benediction across the skin, catching the warm undertones of life lived fully, while soft shadows hint at introspection. The realism of the controller offers a striking contrast, its matte plastic surface and iconic button layout anchoring the image in the present. The hands, though aged, are not bound to the past—they are gripping the future.

In the thematic context of Passage of Life: Aging 2025, this work is a standout. The exhibition celebrates transformation and vitality through time, and Vrabel’s drawing encapsulates these themes with poetic clarity. Her concept—that aging is not about slowing down, but about staying curious and embracing new experiences—radiates from the page. The message is universal, yet deeply personal, speaking to viewers across generations.

A Hawaii-based artist inspired by the spiritual beauty of her surroundings, Patti Vrabel brings a sacred attentiveness to everything she creates. Known for her watercolor and pastel works that reflect nature’s divine design, she infuses Press Start to Continue with the same reverence and presence. Her artistic voice is grounded in faith and wonder, drawing viewers into a contemplative stillness—even when depicting something as contemporary and dynamic as a game controller.

This drawing is not simply a study in contrasts—it is a call to action. Vrabel’s hands-on metaphor reminds us that the power to begin again is ageless, and that the lines etched into our skin are not signs of limitation but maps to new worlds.

To discover more of Patti Vrabel’s soulful creations and explore the inspirations behind her art, visit her official website at brushwithgreatness.me. You can also follow her artistic journey and latest works on Instagram @brushwithgreatness61. Additionally, her portfolio is available on her Biafarin profile, offering a deeper look into her evolving works.