Well, I am well-qualified to write some comments here. 86 and I continue on my art path because it is my purpose in life and my joy. I hardly know which I like better, teaching art or doing my own work. It pulls me forward. Finding the next image that wants me to tell the story I see embedded there.....helping someone understand how to accomplish a certain effect in their work....listening to favorite music as I work in the studio.
Right now I am recovering from a fall. Nothing broken, but still have needed over two months to get back my mojo. And it has been a very rare opportunity for me to see what my life would be like and how I would feel about aging if I didn't have all that. I can think about it, but it is the DOING, the total immersion in the work, in the instruction, in the decision making - that lifts me totally out of any consideration of age at all. When I think about my body age, I am always amazed. Because my truth is that I'm ageless.
So sorry you had a fall and equally as happy that you are getting back to your mojo. Yes we are ageless. These wake-up calls do help us pay attention so that we can keep going strong. Stay strong, be well.
I am 75 and love photography and ceramics! Your post is inspiring to me as I negotiate being a widow since August and trying to feel like being creative again. Thank you for stirring up those feelings in me again! Blessings, Suzanne Gaff
Thank you, Lesley. I feel that I am up for the challenge. Afterall, life is a series of adventures, isn't it... some positive and some not so positive?! Hopefully, more positive than negative. It helps to have creative goals to spur you on and give you a sense of accomplishment. Blessings, Suzanne
Thanks so much for this post. It got me thinking. I got into art quilting, mixed media and stitchery in my mid 70’s. I had no art background whatsoever, not even colouring books as a child. But looking back I realized I had been creating all my life, starting making my own cloth dolls and dolls furniture from matchboxes, in my forties I discovered weaving, and developed a very nontraditional style, then traditional quilting and stitching which morphed into art quilting and Stitchery. About 12 years ago I discovered the sit down machine for free motion quilting but never bought it because I thought I was too old and probably wouldn’t get much use out of it. Well guess what ? I will be entering my 90’s in a week and I ordered my fmq machine and I will enjoy it for as long as I can and keep working out at the gym😊
Yay for starting all this in your 70s! I began my journey back to art with cloth dolls. Sounds like you've been creating all along. You deserve that FMQ machine, especially for such a momentous decade. You go girl. So happy for you. A role model for many.
Lesley, I love this! I’ll be 74 this year and just yesterday questioned myself about buying a new-to-me product to test. Then I felt the excitement in me thinking about experimenting and playing and I was back to that younger self. Wonderful post!
well Lesley...I definitely needed to hear this today. Just yesterday I was wondering the "why bother?" story...I felt everything hurt, discouraged about the world in general, discouraged about family... I paint daily...even if it's just cards...but that time takes me away from everything that hurts...mentally and physically. I sometimes look around at my various projects I've done over the years...and wonder what is going to happen to it all when I'm gone...think, oh well, the important part is that I'm creating and will continue to create until I can no more... <3
I think those "why bother?" moments are part of the cycle. Creating creates the endorphins we need to keep our bodies working. It's hard when the weather or other things out of our control exert their influence. Take care and carry on with the painting.
It's true... the important part is the doing, the feeling, the creating, the making... as artists, it is what keeps us alive and growing. Follow that thread and rejoice that you can in fact, make art!
It's also meditation...and constant learning about what works and about myself as well...I've done many types of media over my lifetime and it is just recently that I've been calling myself an artist. And yes, Karen...it is what keeps us alive and growing. <3
Anna Atkins (1799-1871), who in October 1843 became the first person to produce and photographically illustrated a book using cyanotypes. Another woman who studied botanical forms and used art to document her findings comes to mind. I had never heard of this artist. 🙏
Ahhh, Mary Delany and the Paper Garden. She has been an inspiration for several years.
I'm 77, and I must say it's a creatively rich and fertile season of my life. Slow-stitching, writing, and book crafts are my current passions. There seems to be no shortage of ideas and I'm always on the hunt for new inspiration. Poetry inspires me, as well as, walks in nature, my morning cup of coffee, the moody music of Erik Satie, the painting of Hilma af Klint, and countless other bits of joy that appear unexpectedly. I pray to be a creator/maker until the very last bit of me is used up.
Thank you for your posts, Lesley. You are among those who continue to inspire and uplift my creative spirit. May the blessings continue to flow to you and through you.
So good to hear from you Sibyl! And happy to hear you are still in the thick of your rich and fertile creativity. Thank you for continuing to read my words. That means so much to me, especially as it relates to how we met.
Your writing really touched me. I’m 81 and after a lifelong love of knitting and sewing, I discovered felting on a trip to New Zealand and Australia. It’s been my passion ever since and has allowed me to create and call myself an artist without choking on the word. I had never considered myself an artist because I always followed directions or a pattern, but now I make my own designs and use a variety of embellishments on my creations.
As you were talking about the book “The Paper Garden” something felt familiar to me and I checked my bookcase and, sure enough, there was the book. I had purchased it in a small bookstore on Vancouver Island, but I had never read it. I grew up in Vancouver Canada but have lived most of my life in the States. I was visiting my brother at the time. This feels a bit like synchronicity and I think it’s time for me to read this book! Something had compelled me to buy it, and I think it was the artist’s age. The cover of the book has an addition to the title-An Artist Begins her Life Work at 72. I was about that age when I discovered the book. Age is not a deterrent to personal growth and creativity, but sometimes there have to be changes to accommodate our aging bodies. I plan to to be active and creative as much as possible until my earthly life ends.
So happy for you. Wool is so tactile, warm and rewarding. I have done some felting but it's been too hard on my hands for years. So glad Mary Delaney has been in your collection for so long. I'm sure it will add to your creative life. The plan is good. Keep creating.
Art at any age is fun and good for our mental health. At ninety I find that making cards and little books is motivating and seems to infuse more life in me!
All I can say is , keep writing these posts. As you can see from the comments, you are inspiring all of us all over again. And if anyone reads THIS comment, read all the others as they are also inspirational. I will be 82 in January and I also have further to fly. I sew, quilt, have done jewelry making, paper crafting, etc. I now primarily sew and quilt and taking a certification course so I can begin teaching in the Spring. I have 2 very creative granddaughters, one of whom I am teaching to sew so I can pass it on.
You are so inspiring. Your readers are also so inspiring. Thank you.
I won't stop writing, Kathy, but hearing encouragement is always good. Thank you. And kudos on the teaching certification. You'll be a role model for so my, as you are for your granddaughters.
There was a time, some years ago, when the "why bother" mantra all but drowned me. (Depression at its worst). I managed to drown it instead, and it was my art and commitment to a valuable creative life that saved me. At 71 I'm feeling more committed than ever to living my best creative (solo) life because honestly, what else is there? Currently I've put my professional art life on hold as I'm taking my writing seriously for the first time. However, I know that I have my paints, brushes and talent to tap into again when I feel the urge, at some point. Thanks for this inspiring post, Lesley-- I ordered the book!!
So happy to hear you overcame the difficulties. I love the "more committed than ever" comment and hearing that you are writing now, too. I juggle both because it seems one inspires the other and vice versa. I don't bounce back and forth; I just have concentrated "sessions" of each. Enjoy your writing and "art breaks."
There’s nothing more fun than discovering a new favorite artist (Mary Delany). . . especially if she’s a woman with years of life experience who loves Mother Nature! Who knows. . . I may have to buy a new pair of sharp, very pointy scissors! (Thanks, Lesley! ❤️)
Well, I am well-qualified to write some comments here. 86 and I continue on my art path because it is my purpose in life and my joy. I hardly know which I like better, teaching art or doing my own work. It pulls me forward. Finding the next image that wants me to tell the story I see embedded there.....helping someone understand how to accomplish a certain effect in their work....listening to favorite music as I work in the studio.
Right now I am recovering from a fall. Nothing broken, but still have needed over two months to get back my mojo. And it has been a very rare opportunity for me to see what my life would be like and how I would feel about aging if I didn't have all that. I can think about it, but it is the DOING, the total immersion in the work, in the instruction, in the decision making - that lifts me totally out of any consideration of age at all. When I think about my body age, I am always amazed. Because my truth is that I'm ageless.
So sorry you had a fall and equally as happy that you are getting back to your mojo. Yes we are ageless. These wake-up calls do help us pay attention so that we can keep going strong. Stay strong, be well.
I am 75 and love photography and ceramics! Your post is inspiring to me as I negotiate being a widow since August and trying to feel like being creative again. Thank you for stirring up those feelings in me again! Blessings, Suzanne Gaff
Navigating a new way of living takes time. I hope that getting back to your creativity brings both joy and blessings.
Thank you, Lesley. I feel that I am up for the challenge. Afterall, life is a series of adventures, isn't it... some positive and some not so positive?! Hopefully, more positive than negative. It helps to have creative goals to spur you on and give you a sense of accomplishment. Blessings, Suzanne
Thanks so much for this post. It got me thinking. I got into art quilting, mixed media and stitchery in my mid 70’s. I had no art background whatsoever, not even colouring books as a child. But looking back I realized I had been creating all my life, starting making my own cloth dolls and dolls furniture from matchboxes, in my forties I discovered weaving, and developed a very nontraditional style, then traditional quilting and stitching which morphed into art quilting and Stitchery. About 12 years ago I discovered the sit down machine for free motion quilting but never bought it because I thought I was too old and probably wouldn’t get much use out of it. Well guess what ? I will be entering my 90’s in a week and I ordered my fmq machine and I will enjoy it for as long as I can and keep working out at the gym😊
This is inspiring! Excited for you with your new "toy", Marilyn. Have much fun creating beautiful quilts with it!
Yay for starting all this in your 70s! I began my journey back to art with cloth dolls. Sounds like you've been creating all along. You deserve that FMQ machine, especially for such a momentous decade. You go girl. So happy for you. A role model for many.
Lesley, I love this! I’ll be 74 this year and just yesterday questioned myself about buying a new-to-me product to test. Then I felt the excitement in me thinking about experimenting and playing and I was back to that younger self. Wonderful post!
I hope you made the investment. It's not just for the things, but for YOU and your creative life. Happy upcoming birthday.
Lesley, I sure did. I just received it yesterday but won't be able to play with it until later next week. Thanks for the birthday wish.
well Lesley...I definitely needed to hear this today. Just yesterday I was wondering the "why bother?" story...I felt everything hurt, discouraged about the world in general, discouraged about family... I paint daily...even if it's just cards...but that time takes me away from everything that hurts...mentally and physically. I sometimes look around at my various projects I've done over the years...and wonder what is going to happen to it all when I'm gone...think, oh well, the important part is that I'm creating and will continue to create until I can no more... <3
I think those "why bother?" moments are part of the cycle. Creating creates the endorphins we need to keep our bodies working. It's hard when the weather or other things out of our control exert their influence. Take care and carry on with the painting.
It's true... the important part is the doing, the feeling, the creating, the making... as artists, it is what keeps us alive and growing. Follow that thread and rejoice that you can in fact, make art!
It's also meditation...and constant learning about what works and about myself as well...I've done many types of media over my lifetime and it is just recently that I've been calling myself an artist. And yes, Karen...it is what keeps us alive and growing. <3
❤︎
Anna Atkins (1799-1871), who in October 1843 became the first person to produce and photographically illustrated a book using cyanotypes. Another woman who studied botanical forms and used art to document her findings comes to mind. I had never heard of this artist. 🙏
Hi Margaret, I had the same response to reading Lesley’s essay. I’m looking forward to learning more about Mary Delany! 🌷
Ah yes, Anna Atkins made a difference in my life as well. I even made a quilt to recognize her contribution to my life - Cyana Anna is the name.
Ahhh, Mary Delany and the Paper Garden. She has been an inspiration for several years.
I'm 77, and I must say it's a creatively rich and fertile season of my life. Slow-stitching, writing, and book crafts are my current passions. There seems to be no shortage of ideas and I'm always on the hunt for new inspiration. Poetry inspires me, as well as, walks in nature, my morning cup of coffee, the moody music of Erik Satie, the painting of Hilma af Klint, and countless other bits of joy that appear unexpectedly. I pray to be a creator/maker until the very last bit of me is used up.
Thank you for your posts, Lesley. You are among those who continue to inspire and uplift my creative spirit. May the blessings continue to flow to you and through you.
So good to hear from you Sibyl! And happy to hear you are still in the thick of your rich and fertile creativity. Thank you for continuing to read my words. That means so much to me, especially as it relates to how we met.
Your writing really touched me. I’m 81 and after a lifelong love of knitting and sewing, I discovered felting on a trip to New Zealand and Australia. It’s been my passion ever since and has allowed me to create and call myself an artist without choking on the word. I had never considered myself an artist because I always followed directions or a pattern, but now I make my own designs and use a variety of embellishments on my creations.
As you were talking about the book “The Paper Garden” something felt familiar to me and I checked my bookcase and, sure enough, there was the book. I had purchased it in a small bookstore on Vancouver Island, but I had never read it. I grew up in Vancouver Canada but have lived most of my life in the States. I was visiting my brother at the time. This feels a bit like synchronicity and I think it’s time for me to read this book! Something had compelled me to buy it, and I think it was the artist’s age. The cover of the book has an addition to the title-An Artist Begins her Life Work at 72. I was about that age when I discovered the book. Age is not a deterrent to personal growth and creativity, but sometimes there have to be changes to accommodate our aging bodies. I plan to to be active and creative as much as possible until my earthly life ends.
So happy for you. Wool is so tactile, warm and rewarding. I have done some felting but it's been too hard on my hands for years. So glad Mary Delaney has been in your collection for so long. I'm sure it will add to your creative life. The plan is good. Keep creating.
Ailsa Willis 29 October
Art at any age is fun and good for our mental health. At ninety I find that making cards and little books is motivating and seems to infuse more life in me!
All I can say is , keep writing these posts. As you can see from the comments, you are inspiring all of us all over again. And if anyone reads THIS comment, read all the others as they are also inspirational. I will be 82 in January and I also have further to fly. I sew, quilt, have done jewelry making, paper crafting, etc. I now primarily sew and quilt and taking a certification course so I can begin teaching in the Spring. I have 2 very creative granddaughters, one of whom I am teaching to sew so I can pass it on.
You are so inspiring. Your readers are also so inspiring. Thank you.
I won't stop writing, Kathy, but hearing encouragement is always good. Thank you. And kudos on the teaching certification. You'll be a role model for so my, as you are for your granddaughters.
There was a time, some years ago, when the "why bother" mantra all but drowned me. (Depression at its worst). I managed to drown it instead, and it was my art and commitment to a valuable creative life that saved me. At 71 I'm feeling more committed than ever to living my best creative (solo) life because honestly, what else is there? Currently I've put my professional art life on hold as I'm taking my writing seriously for the first time. However, I know that I have my paints, brushes and talent to tap into again when I feel the urge, at some point. Thanks for this inspiring post, Lesley-- I ordered the book!!
So happy to hear you overcame the difficulties. I love the "more committed than ever" comment and hearing that you are writing now, too. I juggle both because it seems one inspires the other and vice versa. I don't bounce back and forth; I just have concentrated "sessions" of each. Enjoy your writing and "art breaks."
There’s nothing more fun than discovering a new favorite artist (Mary Delany). . . especially if she’s a woman with years of life experience who loves Mother Nature! Who knows. . . I may have to buy a new pair of sharp, very pointy scissors! (Thanks, Lesley! ❤️)
Sounds like a plan, Wendy. I think you'll love it.