ɔːlðˈoʊ hɪz lˈʌv fɔːɹ ˈɑːɹt hɐdbɪn lˈaɪflɔŋ ænd hiː hɐdbɪn ɪnvˈɑːlvd ɪnðə mək lˈiːn mjˈʊɹɹəl kˈɑːntɹəvˌɜːsi dˈʊɹɹɪŋ hɪz jˈɪɹz æt stˈeɪt, wˈɛlz bɪɡˈæn tˈiːtʃɪŋ hɪmsˈɛlf tə pˈeɪnt ɪn hɪz sˈɛvənti z.
Although his love for art had been lifelong and he had been involved in the McLean Mural controversy during his years at State, Wells began teaching himself to paint in his 70s.