Although I generally like the way I look, aging and all, I couldn’t stand staring into my face every time I clicked on the blog’s homepage. And then it repeated on all the other pages! It was too much. After tinkering with WordPress for quite some time, I gave up and posted a sample of my pallet art, which is now plastered across all the pages but is infinitely more pleasing to my eye.
Above is Number 32. This time I experimented with the paint and went with something less than opaque. Also, peace! I mean, why can’t we have nice things? I thought I would rotate them as I create new pieces.
There was a guy at work, George, who thought he was all that and a bag of chips. Rising gloriously from behind his desk was a giant and quite excellent painting of his own work, and I thought a guy who would do that has an ego that can’t be killed with a stake through the heart. I actually have a wobbly ego, but art makes me feel good, so I kind of get where he was coming from. Creating art gives you a sense of validation you may not find on the job or in the mirror.
I’m grateful to have discovered artistic passion in retirement. I’m such a beginner, but I confess that recently I got a little cocky and purchased fancy paper and sketching pencils to see if I could broaden my horizons. I’m glad I did it, because I learned that sketching can be fun and helps me with designs for my woodburning art, but it’s the wood that keeps me coming back.
While I’m no great artist, I find joy in taking scraps someone tossed and transforming them into something else. Anything I do to them is an improvement, so I can just let it rip. I have quite a collection now, and my house is like the Island of Misfit Pallets. In a way, we have rescued each other.
My father was a creative dabbler who was always trying to make a buck and repeatedly failed at various entrepreneurial ventures. From importing jewelry to making metal replicas of social security cards, they all flopped. I find it interesting he was most successful at rescuing paper scraps from his job in a bindery and making scratch pads, which he sold at swap meets in Southern California.
Sometimes it’s right there in front of you.
I love your painted boards. There’s a sense of whimsy, fabulous colors, very cool cats, and a feeling about you as a person I think. A friend and I were talking today about how we like the fact that “true art” of all kinds: painting, etchings, fiber, fabric, is something one would never find in a store. We like the imperfections, quirkiness is very much appreciated, anything unique is golden, and if one can get a sense of the artist in the object, priceless.
I’m just learning how to create from whatever it is within me instead of following a pattern. I just wish I had started sooner, so aware of the ticking clock at my age. But perhaps that’s the gift of retirement: time to play, explore and create. Better late than never as the saying goes.
You summed up my thoughts about art exactly! I am also aware of the clock ticking and wish I had started sooner. But I golf with an 87-year-old, so I think, well, 20 years at least if I stay healthy.
I love your art and I don’t think displaying it makes you cocky. It makes you and all of us happy to see it.
Thank you very much!
Love your dad’s making scratch pads from free material. I lift my glass of champagne to him.
It kept him in beer money, but I suspect he would have been thrilled to know you lifted a glass of champagne to him!
I like your artistic wood boards! Isn’t it great that we have the free time in retirement to pick up new hobbies? I retired five years ago, just like you. I just recently decided to take a couple of online art class in Abstact Acrylics and Watercolors. I’m enjoying the freedom of abstract painting. The best part is I can go at my own pace and practice when I want. Hope you continue to have fun and enjoyment with your creative art.
Hi Karen — I agree, all this free time to discover new joys is the best! I need to take some classes — thanks for the reminder.
I’m delighted that we’re going to be getting a rotating selection of your art, as I love it. It’s so bright and uplifting.
Your photo was great, but I do get how you feel having to face yourself. It would positively put me off blogging. I do have pics of myself on my professional site, but they’re small and out of the way.
Love the story about your father. As you say, sometimes it’s under our noses all along 🙂
Hi Debs, thanks for the encouragement. I appreciate it! The photo thing is hard.
I’m glad my dad’s story resonated. There are a million more where that came from. He was quite a character.
Hi, Donna – I finally got back in (I used a different email address to do so)!
I absolute love your art pallet – colourful, fun and whimsical. It allows your readers to connect further with you. I am so glad that you’ll be rotating them from time to time. I can’t wait to see more!
And yes – the answer is so often right there in front of us!
Thank you so much — and I’m delighted to see you’ve resubscribed.