C’est fini.
It isn’t perfect. Every time I look at it, I see something that I should have tweaked. Then I remind myself that this is a process and I’m learning. At some point, I have to say it’s finished and move on. (Though I don’t mind telling you that I may tweak it a little later today. But just a little.)
This is the Snowberry pattern and this particular vase is on the petite side, much smaller than the others I’ve painted. Don has always referred to it as Mae West, rather voluptuous and sassy. If vases can have a sense of humor, this one certainly does.
Don and I have been talking off and on about the creative process and age. Both of us seem to be in the midst of exploring new-to-us areas of creativity. And that brings me to this thought: Never let a number define you. Never let it define or restrict the possibilities or the potential that lies ahead.
I think it’s so important to keep our minds sharp as we age. I know many of you feel the same way. Reading, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, exercise, learning….all that and more helps to keep us sharp. I know I have to guard against a negative reaction to the numbers; my age, the possible lifespan ahead of me, the years behind me, and all the fears those numbers can generate. I fight it all the time. All the time.
When Don says, “We’re old” I counter immediately, with “We’re older.” That’s as far as I’m willing to go with that line of thinking. I look in the beautiful face of my husband, who will be 70 in two days, and think that he’s more beautiful than ever, that he’s grown into who he really is, that there is an ease with himself I didn’t always see in the past. I watch him explore things, challenge himself, learn new instruments, write beautiful music and lyrics…he’s constantly creating.
I think we inspire each other that way. Sure, there are times when the inspiration to create something new seems to be lacking. So we recharge, read, do chores, meditate, go for a walk. Eventually, something sets off a spark, and we’re back at it.
You never know what new horizons are ahead of you. I’m 68 years old. Even as recently as two months ago, if you had asked me if I could draw or paint, I would have answered NO without hesitation. Absolutely not. I was very clear on that.
But a voice deep inside me kept nudging me toward painting. Here and there, momentary thoughts of “Maybe painting?” came and went. After about two years of these nudges, I began to consider it. Hesitantly, for sure, but I started to give those thoughts time and space, no longer rejecting them out of hand. And as I’ve said before, I eventually confided them to Don, making that tiny possibility more real.
I am not one to talk about faith because I believe it’s a private, sacred thing. It’s my business and not anyone else’s. I have an aversion to what I perceive to be preachiness. Having said that, whatever your belief system, whatever your spirituality, whatever path you follow, there is something deep within us that guides us. Of that I am sure.
Keep those channels open: listen, ponder, take action. Don’t give up or say things like, “I’m too old to try something new.” “I don’t have the talent for (fill in the blank).” We all fall prey to that kind of thinking. I know I do. Instead, respond with “Why not? Why not try?” The worse thing that could happen is the realization that something you’ve tried just isn’t your cup of tea. Okay. Now you know. Move on to something new.
Creativity is ageless. We are all creating, all the time.
New. Possible. Explore. Create. Challenge. Discover.
None of that is limited by age.
Stay safe.
Happy Tuesday.
HI,
What beautiful words that turn into thoughts and then into actions.
Take Care,
Kaye
Park City, UT
Book: “The Stargazer” by Anne Hillerman
thanks so much for your thoughts, Kaye.
Stay safe!
Dearest Claudia:
Your paragraph after c’est fini, applies to life, as well, doesn’t it? In fact, I’ve felt that your recent posts and heartfelt feelings about your latest hobby can all be said about life. It’s a good way to look at living, isn’t it? Thank you for the reminder that living is never finished!
XO
Lori
Absolutely!
Grateful for you sharing those thoughts!
Stay safe, Lori.
You are so spot on with this post. I painted a little bit as a kid — like a whole bunch of kids. But I didn’t start watercolor till I was about 64/65. Before that it was mixed media and before that painting simple shapes on sweatshirts and making jewelry. I was paid to write but to do the other — that was the joy of exploring. It is never too late and the words “I’m not creative” or “I can’t do that” should not be in our vocabulary. It’s just finding the right match.
In many ways I believe age adds to the potential for creativity — we have so much more life experience to work from. We have felt more emotions or learned to better observe. I’m looking out my window and counting at least eight shades of greens on the trees and branches outside. How many more would I add if I looked at our rug or the grass. But most people just see green and not notice that some have more yellow or blue in them. We don’t know how to do this when we are young. I remember in one of my acting classes we had to observe someone, write it down — what they wore, how they moved, the shape of their face or body, their voice if we could hear them — and try to bring that into class. I’m sure every acting class has their version of that. I don’t know that it made me a better actor but it made me a better “observationist,” then writer, then artist. It galls me that we are coming into our prime mentally and creatively and yet our time — our physical time — is more limited.
I love what you both are doing. And, that you are sharing those thoughts of progression with us all.
I agree. I don’t like the fact that our physical time is more limited. And yes, actors have to be observant and most actors I know, including Don and me, are highly observant. It’s absolutely necessary – that being said, I “see” much more detail than I did when I was younger.
Stay safe, Jeanie.
wise words well said. thank you for sharing them (and another beautiful painting … you’re on a roll). as you encourage(d) us … keep on keeping on!
i agree. i am 63. looking back over 40-plus years, i can see in myself what you see in don … an increased ease-of-self that sped up even more once i reached about 50 (something my teenage self would have not thought possible) … a wonderful gift from getting older. :)
claudia, i have mentioned my faith several times here, including yesterday. if i have upset you or anyone else, i am sorry … because that is not my intent. i have shared about my faith for several reasons … because it is part of my life. because we are called to share the good news (so i can’t apologize for that) and because God has been/is so good to my family and me and His promises are so comforting and i want those blessings for everyone. thank you for allowing my comments when i’ve mentioned God.
:)
though we need rain (we’re about eight inches below average), it only reached the 70s, was sunny, breezy and beautiful yesterday and i enjoyed that, especially on a walk. hope you have comfy weather, too.
i haven’t worn the hard clam-shell back brace for several weeks, been wearing instead a softer brace since then and now, as of last weekend, nothing … no brace at all (with medical approval). i feel it … more aches, ongoing shooting-stabbing pains with certain movements in particular and more tiredness without that support; also feel both more hopeful and very vulnerable physically … but i accept it all as progress. been a long haul.
hope you are having a good, easy day.
thanks again.
kathy in iowa
Wonderful news about the brace, though I know it makes you feel more vulnerable – to be expected.
We had a huge thunderstorm last night. Seemed to go on for hours, with continuous lightning everywhere.
You’re welcome to share here.
Stay safe, Kathy!
thanks, claudia. there is a community of such kind, wonderful people here, led by your example. :) thank you.
wish we’d get such long storms! other than last august’s derecho, we seem to get minutes of rain.
not hours, but minutes. and sprinkles, not a soaker. and for years it seems we get less than half the precipitation forecasted … sad and scary thought/reality.
anyway, enjoy the day if not the weather, huh?!
xo
kathy in iowa
xoxo
This was a very timely blog post for me! I will be 70 in two days as well. Birthdays always make me a bit too introspective. You offered very good advice! And happy birthday to Don.
As usual, well said Claudia. I too believe you are never too old to have a new dream. Thanks for all you share and your ability to motivate as you do it. Have a wonderful day. 😊
You’re welcome!
Stay safe, Janet.
Glad to have been of help. Happy Birthday, Judy!
Stay safe!
happy 70th birthday, judy!
i hope you are enjoying a wonderful day that will lead to a wonderful year ahead for you! and cake, too. i hope you’re having cake or whatever treat you like best.
kathy in iowa
“Mae West’s” portrait turned out nice. I especially like the pink background too!
Life flies by so enjoy the moments you can!
Exactly!
Stay safe, Ellen!
When I was thinking about going back to college and finishing my degree, I whined to a friend, “I’m going to be 40 living in a dorm!” She nonchalantly said, “You’re going to be 40 anyway”. That just stopped me in my tracks and was the best advice I’ve ever gotten. The years keep on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’ into the future…
BTW, I LOVE the pink background. I think it makes the blue pop.
Exactly! Wise advice from your friend. I went back at 31, moved away, and pursued my master’s degree. Why not? Good for you, old friend!
Stay safe!
Interesting comments on creativity and aging. I’ve always been creative. But, I’ve found there are different components of creativity. Art classes while I was in school, showed me I had a certain artistic creativity, And as a young wife and mother, I learned to be creative in other ways to stretch the dollars, or to make something out of bits and bobs. Now that I’m older and am no longer chasing my kiddos around, I have time for other creative activities. For the last 20 years, I’ve been able to express that creativity in my gardens. And, all my “landscaping endeavors” have never looked better.
You and Don are creative on a whole other level….painting, and words come easy to you it appears. While writing music comes easily to Don, as well as acting. I feel we all have some component of creativity within us. Sometimes we just have to take the time to figure out what it is.
And you are absolutely correct in stating that we are not too old to try! Never. Anyway…age is just a number. It should not define what you do, or give one the feeling that you might be too old for that. Try whatever it is that you want….you might just like it!
Enjoy your day! ;)
Of course! I call all those things creative. Finding spaces for things in our tiny cottage is creative. Making my gardens from nothing is creative. Working within a tight budget and creating meals for a family of 6 like my mom did is creative. I used my painting as a springboard for this post, but as I said in the post, we are all creative. We can’t help it. Creativity is in our nature.
Don and I work in the arts, but that doesn’t make us special. Far from it!
Stay safe, Donna!
Dear Claudia — your words are beautiful, I do believe each one of them, but some of us are not even a tiny bit creative w/paint, drawing, etc, I am one of those. lol!! But I can make great meals, desserts, breads that my children/grands crave/insist upon having time after time. AND I do enjoy all of that immensely. Maybe it equals out in the end. Hoping Don has a great time in his new decade. Happy Birthday to him. BTW, when I first saw your new painting — I immediately said “it’s Mae West” !!! stay safe and healthy
Making meals, cooking are also creative. Creativity doesn’t just refer to the arts! When Don concocts something from scratch in the kitchen, he’s creating something.
I meant what I said. We are all creative.
Stay safe, Linda!
Thank-you Claudia!!!
You have an angelic presence here for sure!
Such a supportive and inspirational tribute for all us creative beings,which of course we all are. And yes,as in life to continually be picking up, learning,responding and living in the flow of unknowns….and creating however that may be. Much gratitude as I am kind of hovering in that ‘not really knowing much ‘ space from the whole 2020 personal drama as well as collective experiences.
It’s interesting to ponder how different people see themselves as they age. Both my mother in law and my mother have died in the last few years, both in their 90s. My mother kept on learning new things, including how to use an IPad (she was also a keen user of a Kindle, cell phone and a computer) right up until the last few weeks, while my mother in law was too frightened to even attempt to use a CD player in her late 60s, saying she was too old to learn and might break it. She kept in insisting she was too old for anything new right up to the end, which was both frustrating and sad.
Claudia, just had to comment on your last few blogs. They helped me focus on being in the moment. Today, before the heavy rain, Doug and I went to the boat early to check it out and do some measuring. I could see all the hard work he has done fixing it up and how just showing some encouragement and enthusiasm made him happy.
We even went to store to buy some sailing shoes (been four years since I have been sailing with him). I figure that I can overcome my fears after living thru Covid. I am 74 and married 49 years but it still is an adventure. Keep painting, keep blogging and letting us share in your discoveries.
Good for you, Maria! Love that you’re going sailing again and that life is still an adventure!
Stay safe.
Thanks for such a beautiful, life-affirming, encouraging post today, Claudia; one of your best!
You’re most welcome, Vicki.
Stay safe.
Had to read this one again. Think I will pull it up again from time to time. It helps a lot to read this, as well as others comments.
I’m so glad.
Stay safe, Martha.