Henry Harson has been painting his entire life, from his days as a young man at Brooklyn's Pratt Institute, through his 25 years doing book covers for McGraw Hill, to his life as a retiree at the Chelsea At Tinton Falls assisted living residence at One Hartford Drive.

"I'll paint any time, any day," he said recently as he sat at the easel in his apartment, acrylic paint tubes open and ready for the brush. "I'm not sure what this one will be yet."

Mr. Harson is a prolific artist who paints, from memory, the people, places and things he remembers throughout his life. Hanging on a prominent place on his wall is a portrait of his late wife. Next to it are portraits of a young man and young woman, people he simply imagined.

Originally from Vermont, his life as an artist and designer took him from the Pratt Institute to Street and Smith, publishers of what used to be called dime novels and pulp fiction. He designed covers and promotional items as he later did for McGraw Hill until he retired in 1987.

A resident of the Chelsea since 2009, Mr. Harson enjoys frequent visits from his daughter, Sherri Rao, who lives in nearby Shrewsbury. He also has one grand daughter.

An exhibit of Mr. Harson's works is currently on display at the Chelsea in the hallway just outside his room. Visitors may view his art with an appointment.