Liz Dodge on sun 9 nov 97
Is there actually a difference in the way women and men change as artists and
craftspeople as they (we) get older? My own observations are that I have
changed as a result of practice, life experiences, and physical aging (my
technique has gotten better but I'm inconvenienced by increasing creakiness
in the joints). Just like most everybody. I'd like to open this question to
everyone on the list and see if the XX and XY genotypes really have any big
differences in how increasing age/experience has changed us.
Liz Dodge in Berkeley, CA
Engineer, Pagan, and Potter
joanna on tue 11 nov 97
liz, i'm reading an article even now about what is termed men's mid-life
crisis, so yeah, i wonder too about the changes they see in their work
and how they think about it.
i didn't think there'd be this much interest, but, men? feel free to
respond. your hormone levels change too, just not as obviously! let's
see if it's a wise woman thing or an age thing.
looking forward to seeing the posts!
joanna
--
joanna deFelice
prepress@cyberis.net
Crystal Larson on tue 11 nov 97
In a message dated 97-11-10 00:05:40 EST, you write:
<< My own observations are that I have
changed as a result of practice, life experiences, and physical aging (my
technique has gotten better but I'm inconvenienced by increasing creakiness
in the joints). Just like most everybody. I'd like to open this question
to
everyone on >>
As for this "wise person" the saying "it's not the age but the mileage"
applies. I was not kind to my body when I was younger so it speaks to me
now. I played as hard as I worked, so I have more than just a few places
that are not real happy with me. I refuse to let it stop me from doing
anything - after all - it's just pain!!! I believe that they call it
traumatic arthritis. However, I'm still a firm believer that I'd rather not
sit in my rocking chair when I get "really old" and regret not doing
something or saying "I wish I would have done (this, that, or fill in the
blank)".
I figure as long as I wake up breathing air I can accomplish something, try
new things and play with clay some more!!! I did 20 years in the military,
raised a family while in, retired when my time came, and followed my heart to
became an art student much to the confusion of my engineer husband. Earned
my A.A. in Art Illustration - haven't gone for the M.A. yet, but someday I'll
do it. Discovered clay while in my 2nd semester of school. Been doing clay
for a couple years now and love doing it more all the time. I'm a grandma
now and life just keeps getting better all the time. I don't care that my
hair is silver, that my eyes don't focus as well as they use to, or any of
the other things that come with aging. If other people have a problem with
my aging, they'll get over it. after all It's just another stage and in time
that too will pass. As long as I can keep a sense of humor about it, I'm ok.
Crystal Larson
woosblue@aol.com
Clayphil on tue 11 nov 97
>My own observations are that I have
>changed as a result of practice, life experiences, and physical aging (my
>technique has gotten better but I'm inconvenienced by increasing creakiness
>in the joints).
I would agree with the above and would guess that it is about the same for
either sex. Well, male and female life experiences are different but ,
hopefully, both go thru similar maturational processes. My own priorities at
20 were vastly different than they were at 30 and at 40 and now at 50 they are
different again. Thank goodness we continue to evolve as individuals.
To me, art is a language which more accurately than words, describes for one's
inner, private self and personal experience. Naturally, our experience of
life and ourselves changes over time so our artistic expression changes to.
What continues to be exciting to me now, as it was when I was twenty, is that
when my work seems to ressonnate with someone else, when the visual language
of my art is understood by some one else, that is an interesting, intriguing,
and magical connection between people. It is the real power of art, I think.
And it can happen with a teabowl or an image or elaborate sculpture. It, that
communication, is why I make stuff; it's why I always have; and why I plan to
continue.
Phil in Chicago
Sandy Hensen on wed 12 nov 97
I don't know if there is any genetic differences in the work of men and women
but I do know that my work has changed a great deal since my kids have grown
up!!! I am a post menopausal woman (57) and I have a lot more time to
work now and I am also a lot more creative since I don't have so many family
commitments. Maybe I also have more life experience to put into my
creativity? Anyway I love being a wise old woman!
Sandy from cold , snow and ice in Boulder Co.
Darrol Shillingburg on fri 14 nov 97
> On Sunday, November 09, 1997 9:35 PM: Liz Dodge wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> Is there actually a difference in the way women and men change as artists
and
> craftspeople as they (we) get older? My own observations are that I have
> changed as a result of practice, life experiences, and physical aging (my
> technique has gotten better but I'm inconvenienced by increasing
creakiness
> in the joints). Just like most everybody. I'd like to open this
question to
> everyone on the list and see if the XX and XY genotypes really have any
big
> differences in how increasing age/experience has changed us.
Hi liz,
I think we migrate towards androgony with age. As the need for sexual roles
diminishes we have the opportunity and responsibility to dance with the
rest of our potential. I have experienced it as a gain not a loss, and more
than adaquate compensation for the crankieness of the physical body.
Thanks for opening the discussion.
Darrol in Elephant Butte, NM (and Bay area escapee)
DarrolS@Zianet.com
on the web at http://www.zianet.com/DarrolS
Jaine & George on sat 15 nov 97
My working hours have dramatically decreased, much to my chagrin, as the
creakiness has progressed. I've basically run out of cartilage in my
left hip, and it will be replaced later today. I'm looking forward to
unleashing that aging creativity, helped by experience and observation
if not wisdom, after some recouperation time. Perhaps this thread will
still be going then.
Jaine in Cresskill
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