Is that all there is?
..Then let's keep dancing(or making art)!
There was a song by Peggy Lee with this title -and as a youth it used to depress me to hear it on the radio . Peggy Lee singing "Is that all there is"
It seems Peggy Lee’s life experiences in reality echoed some of the poignant lyrics in this song!
I was reading a little about this song in Lyrics.com which described the lyrics as “speaking about existentialism and disillusionment”.. So well..No wonder!
I felt the song was morose and disturbing at a time I was seeking optimism!
My mother loved that song-. Now I consider the possibility that she may have identified with the lyrics at her age and stage , feeling a bit trapped as a woman and a housewife in those times .
Peggy Lee 1950 Wikipedia
As an adolescent I sometimes felt a bit let down by adults and their unpredictable ways but somehow always knew that there was “more”.
There was nature, music , art, the outdoors, friends , and later hope for autonomy and new experiences.
The teenagers I knew were modern and open minded - women’s rights were starting to be acknowledged - civil rights and anti war movement visible and fascinating. The hopefulness of the late 60’s and 70’s younger generation, culture, politics and music gave me faith in what was to come.
Sometimes it took determination and courage to rise above the life that I witnessed my parents and other adults living.
Making art seemed to carry me through many up and down life experiences and was just one of a multiple sources of creative options ..
How do we carry our passion for making throughout our life ? When we recognise what it gives back- is that enough?
Do artists ever retire?
I know people who are not comfortable with the concept of retirement mentally, the unstructured time- psychologically or physically.
I have often heard that phrase “I don’t know what I will do with my time” or “I have no interests”. I understand and sympathize with their situation -but recognise that this is not me.
When I first considered this newsletter and the concept of an Ageless Artist I was hoping to explore that making art is a timeless pursuit - only potentially restricted by one’s health and well being.
There are some professions that have a best before date - Fortunately this is not the case with the creative life.
Having a desire or even compulsion to make art certainly keeps us connected to the world even if we work in isolation. The incredible act of making something beautiful and tangible from thoughts in your brain .. or something you observe.
There are so many reasons to banish unhelpful stereotypes of older age from our psyches . There are so many examples of artists of our age and better that continue to create and live with gusto.
Keeping active mentally and physically are integral to health at any age but especially now - learning new skills keeps us vital and excited about life.
I am thinking that if you are reading this newsletter than more than likely you too are a creative and perhaps some of these thoughts resonate for you.
I know (especially now) that making art is as essential to me as drinking water and breathing. Hopefully I will learn how to dance the Salsa one day too .. ;-)
We all make our own paths and sometimes life tests us to forge forward and be the best person we can be. We can defy limitations with our creativity.
With my adult brain and life experience I can understand what Peggy Lee was getting at. Yet I refuse to limit myself
as I know that that is definitely not all there is.
I welcome your feedback, stories and perspective !
My personal Art News
A couple of new paintings I have been working on ..now in my new Big Cartel shop!
The grey February days have more than likely contributed to my rather somber subjects !
I continue to maintain my Etsy shop with quality art prints from popular paintings that are no longer available ! my Etsy shop for prints
A sketch created in Sarah Dyer _illustrator (instagram) zoom fundraising session
on February 28th I participated in A beautiful moving experience in which 100 or so of us sketched live online from references provided by Sarah ,(taken with permission from @hiddenpallestine ) and listened to stirring poetry read by Andrew McMillan . It felt like I was doing something .
this sketch was from a timed 10 minute reference of songbirds of Palestine
if you already received this notice via my artistjetpack.substack.com newsletter my apologies for the repetition .. (I know many of you subscribe to both but some of you subscribe separately ..)
I have decided to offer my own fundraising effort for the people of Gaza. As an artist and human I feel the need to do something personal to contribute to helping in some tangible way .
I will offer 24 original works of art on paper from my studio for 25 dollars Canadian and under . Shipping will be free in North America (and reasonable worldwide $10-15 Canadian .) They are available to preview now at the Big Cartel site -and will go live on Sunday March 3rd at 1 pm EST. All art will be signed and dated by me and shipped with care to you . All funds collected will be directed to UNRA charity to assist the people of Palestine .
a sampling from art available in fundraiser!
Thanks so much for reading Ageless Artist ! Cheers ! Heather
Hi Heather - I really do agree with you completely. My childhood was late 40's/50's a time you'd expect to be awful but it wasn't. A very ordinary working family but we as children has freedom. I went to a girls secondary modern with big classes, scattered around the town in different buildings but we had a Head who taught us occasionally and she knew us by name. I owe so much to her and her staff. I have never forgotten our English teacher telling us each year she chose something new to her, to study, learn about. The same lady who overheard my friend and me talking about opera and soon after took us to Manchester to a performance of Aida. I have always taken up new hobbies, years ago at evening classes that were plentiful and didn't cost a fortune. The demise of these is a great loss, you met people, tackled something different and had fun. The last few years I've got to grips with Photoshop and the opportunities found on-line for research not just Family Tree but anything that puzzles you, catches your attention, when you think what's that? where is that? Why?
Keep writing Heather
Best wishes
Carol
Hi, Heather. Sister Ontarian here and writer of Amazement Seeker. I found you in Debbie Weil’s thread and zipped over here to take a look. Your work intrigues me and I’d like to explore further. From time to time I pair a poem with a visual art work and write about the what they say to each other. For example, Mary Pratt meets Anne Sexton. If I find a piece of yours that cries out for a poem, perhaps we could collaborate on something. Interested?