At 60 How Insignicant In The World One Can Feel ,such Wonderous Artist Just Amazing.

Well, I am a mere 56 but I can tell you a few things. First what you do is impressive and you do not need to be in awe of any work on this site or anywhere else. Second it is not really a competition, it is about expressing who you are. No one can do that better than you. So take a chill pill and relax, enjoy the ride!

Ronald ,what a nice thing to say.. im chilled..lol..just an observation and I know it isn't a competition.. but im just overwhelmed sometimes.. just blown away would be more the words for it.. It is funny even up to the time I was 55 I felt immortal and never worried about much.. and just breezed through life and was probably just a little narcissistic I would suppose but as I started creeping towards the big 6 0 .. I found things breaking down in my body like an old car , and well it shouldn't be such a surprise it happens to most everyone but it hit me like a ton of bricks.
I never gave the past much thoughts other than various things I felt persecuted for.. just kidding but was what I thought was easy going and could achieve anything..then becoming disabled really gives you a better observation and chance to really see the world for the world.. and well SHOCK...!!! loll.. At least I can still use my mind .. a little lol.. but anyway no worries,all just observations and wanting to know if anyone would tell me they felt the same way sometimes and or would admit to it anyway lol...thanks Ronald..you are my hero.. again.. Jean

Wow that is wonderful that everyone's ego on here is secure and unfloundered lol ok..well it was just an observation anyway and thanks again Ronald for making me feel better.,you are very kind. Jean

Jean,
Probably a lot of this feeling is our cultural attitude to (hate this word) elderly. There is no doubt that simply our culture decides that old people aren't relevant. That believes your time is up and that there is not going to be something else you're going to contribute. It's natural, God knows I'm not the woman I was 30 years ago, and society not going to be dependent on people that soon will be gone. But living this reality is tough.

Even if you use to be significant, culture and age are working against you.

-- mary ellen anderson

Jean, your intuition is right on. I was invincible until 60, secure,happy,useful,healthy. After 60, it's just different. I became invisible, and was shocked.
Make the most of your time now.
At 77, I can't turn back time even in my dreams,lol.
Stay creative. Stay kind. Stay generous.

Jean, I will be 62 soon, and I am determined to let the world know that it's the older folks who know much at all, and that it is not popularity that determines anything, but insight and wisdom. We have the power to communicate to the entire WORLD as artists. Always see yourself as just that...never anything less.

I understand your feelings perfectly, been there and I have to remind myself I need to trust a higher power for favor with others and helping me out a lot! Lol In and of myself I am not that clever so I need help! I don't fear old age or anything else because of this. If you would like to discuss this vein further you may e-mail me.

Mary and Viva, Im not feeling anything other than overwhelmed at and amazement of the amount of fantastic creative people..and I said envious..not really just amazed.. For being 60.. lol..I had my time being young and if anyone is ignoring me because im old... I am laughing.. because one day they will look back and say "what the hell happened' just like the famous Arnold Swartznagger. lol.. just take a look see at him... did he let anyone stop him from making new movies and doing what he wanted..I think not.. but no.. the old thing isn't a biggy..I just remember being on top..so to speak at least in my view but then perception is a weird thing isnt it?

Its all good..I still get free coffee and goodies here and there and people smile and open the door thinking to themselves old geezer lol.. I don't care, just laugh to myself and think ,yeah well it will be here sooner than you think ,,you young fool.. its ok.. no matter if people answer here or not based on my age I will keep posting and then when you see my post disappear one day you will know what happened... No I won't be dead ,I would have just quit posting lol....gottcha.. geez starting to sound like the stereotypical people in movies when they are old..I will quit for a bit now and let someone else post.. but "i'll Be back ! " lol ...its all good..

61 here my friend. What I know for sure is that God gave artists a gift. Our art is our gift back to Him. One of the most important things I'm learning about being an artist is that of finding my niche. You must too. My niche is developing and it seems to be about softness and gentleness. I do produce work in vibrant colors, but my heart feels most fulfilled when I follow a soft leaning. Photography is another part of my niche. I wish I could do watercolor painting, but I can't, so I modify my photography in that direction. But I CAN admire the work of other artists who work in a different medium than I do. Your mom was right. There will always be artists better than you and I - artists who work in mediums we don't. I'd like to share with you what works for me - perhaps it will work for you too. Go spiritual in your work. Ask what your Creator gifted you with and then run with it. Experiment till you find what fills your heart and then do not deviate from it. That will be your gift. That will be your path. That will sustain you on down days. Discover the real gifts within you and then share them with the world. When you do, you will never have to feel insignificant again. Blessings, Kathi

I had the realization last year at 35 that youth won't last forever and that now is my time to act. That is where my art pursuits began in full force. My initial confidence has definitely been shaken since then. As you said, there is so much creative talent in this world and it is very easy to feel lost in the noise. I'm really not sure how to proceed other than putting one foot in front of the other...

Take solace in the fact that we can never know what effect we've truly had, as it is not measured in personal success but in small waves and echos that travel throughout the collective. The butterfly effect. This thread you've started here could become fuel for another's masterpiece...

Keep honesty in your heart, and that is the true measure of success. Best of luck to you, Jean.

Joe Burgess
jb-imagery.com

Thanks Kathi, nice thoughts , appreciated .Jean

Jean,
I think many of us experience some of what you are feeling. The technology availablie today has resulted in an abundance of images and they are easy to view. The more art there is, the less each piece's impact in some ways. There is sort of deflation of value overall due to the sheer amount of images available. . A cup a cream will rise tot he top of milk, but if the milk is the size of a football field it's a bit hard to see. For me I just create through any feelings or thoughts. To feel insignificant or significant is a choice. Brains have thoughts, that's what they do...I just let them flow through me, try not to attach to any judgements, and create.

Thank you Joseph, something to think about.. Jean

Hiya Jean,

I will be 73 years old in 2 weeks and I can tell you that in my senior years I have been loosing my sight but I can feel God's beauty better now which I feel makes me a better painter. Sometimes we put roadblocks in front of us such as money, pride, and desires that blind us from seeing with our hearts. I may not see all the details now but that's all right because I can't see my mistakes only my triumphs.

I don't think age matters with artists. Artists can enjoy a certain anonymity - they can hide behind their canvas - and I don't think anyone cares how old they are as long as they do good work.

Recently there have been articles about people who start second careers at 60.

Hi Jean!

I'll be 65 next Sunday and didn't really find my way as an artist (photographer) until a few years ago now. I never had any confidence in my artistic abilities at all thoough others saw them and commented on them. These have been the happiest years of my life (except for a tragic personal loss last October) as I commit myself to being an artist and continue to grow. However, I have learned that the fear which used to almost debilitate my efforts is simply part of what I will term the "artistic condition." The doubt will never disappear so long as we seek to create. Facing it and creating anyway is the only answer.

What Kathi said resonates with me a lot. My art brought me the final way out of a severe bipolar disordered way of life to something approaching normalcy. All that I create which is successful in the eyes of others is only so because God has used me as a channel for it. That is my personal belief, my opinion.

As for all the creativity around us, I rejoice in it (along the lines of "Make love, not war" turned "Make art, not misery"). Besides, I am not in competition with anyone but myself...

PS: Turning 60 was the best birthday of my life as I no longer gave two cents about what any other human being thought of me. And, one more besides -- my 7 year old granddaughter thinks I am an amazing artist! Who could ask for more?

I believe not to focus on how many are better than you, but to remember how many you have touched.

What positive comments.. thank you all so much.. your kindness and your wisdom has touched me.. although I wasn't really unnerved about being 60 that much as I was overwhelmed at the amount of awesome incredible artist.. you have all made wonderful contributions to this discussion and positive thoughts and inspirations to me. Thank you for that.. Jean

Jean Gabriel, I have always felt insignificant. I have no desire to be famous or wealthy, but just able to paint in my backyard with my pets frolicking about and pawing at my "ungreat" work. There are paw prints on every painting. Still your words are very haunting. I'm okay with not selling too much and I'm okay with others being seriously more talented as well, but the lottery concept is scary...if tomorrow my work became famous, I think it would be a nightmare for myself and my family. Everyone loves me as an unknown and insignificant painter and I doubt that love would continue. So maybe it's great to be insignificant. On that note, I only know a few artists within fifty miles of where I live, so I'm special in my neighborhood and workplace...and that is good enough for me. Now, I would be thrilled to get famous after I die but it won't matter to me, after I pass. I only hope that I gave a lot of joy to those who have put my paintings on their walls.

You know Lisa,,, Years ago...when very young.. I had been doing creative art work in all mediums..mostly because I felt the need to express. a desire to create and experiment . I painted, did sculpture ,sketched, photographed everything. lol and did pottery ,worked in stone...you name it and I did it.. Then out of the blue.. some friends that were famous already pushed me.. and said to me ,you are wasting your work throwing it away and not sharing with the world. They without my knowledge hooked me up with some really really connected agents and gallery owners and they made me an offer to do one man shows and promote me.. for a time I was fascinated and did make an abundance of money but it was very very hard work.

I am basically a lazy person that likes things a certain way , I am to some extent ocd.. I would suppose or just like things a certain way.. I did the art, I produced, I was on the road all the time, I met and greeted thousands of people ,went to parties and did all the promotional stuff. and one day I realized the reason I never shared my work with anyone.. It became work..I then became rebellious and stopped touring all over the world at the whelm of an agent or magazine promoter.. I just said no.. and then as quickly as it started I ended all of it. Most of my works I sold as much as I could and still do to this day but I don't regret any of it but I am glad that I pulled out of the lime light when I did. I lost myself and lost my time alone and with my thoughts and my creativity suffered and I felt like a fake... a wanna be artist or something.. just plastic.. so I stopped .For a time I missed it , and then realized it was never what I wanted and the people that pushed me into it did not understand but in some ways I think they felt a little relieved as they felt a pinch of competition from me although they never said so directly they made me feel that way.. Famous no,,,had that been there done that.. make a little money ,yes now and then would be nice... happy to just create what I want.. priceless... I am just happy to be.. for what it is worth .. Until recently my mind has never grasph how many people have the abilities to create and aspire and do fantastic works ,as I said from the homeless to the middle class to the very rich.. creativity is what drives us all. I guess deep down inside I thought there was something special about me.. now I look back even when I had so much going on in the art world and think... who was I kidding.. I was just an average mediocre artist that had great promotional people but as far as being special..not so much.. but im glad just to sit in the shadows with my coffee, take a few photos ,learn a little new software and do what I want ,and not have the pesky agents and promotional people bother me.. Also Lisa,I enjoy so much the social contact with people on here. It is so nice to have people that understand who you are and what you are trying to do and are forgiving of you and what you say and do .. Thank you all for your comforting thoughts and the age I suppose does bother me sometimes.. In my mind I will always be 18 .. living the life of the summer of 73 .. I will post my photo of the days gone by here ,because I can look back at that photo and the world goes back in time to a more simple time when things were not complicated and I felt wonderful and discovery of all that is came into my life in a substantial way ..Looking at that photo brings me back to a time.. that I cannot even begin to describe here. Also it brings back feelings long lost that I also could never describe in my life. Thank you all again for your inspiring thoughts and comments..

Jean Gabriel Poivre ……I love your OP. I think each of us has his/her own corner of feeling insignificant. Depending on the perspective of where we are in a certain time a place in our lives or who we are surrounded by and what is important to us.
I think nobody likes to feel ordinary right? I never felt insignificant in so many field where most people do….yet I feel I am absolutely nothing when it comes to the ability to make money and how a person success is identified by it. As I approach middle age it gets harder.

….. So you see we all have our demons…..

Diana, you are precious and appreciated so much as is everyone contributing here. It gives me a wonderful warm feeling inside of emotional and friendly support . You all are so very kind and its wonderful you are opening up to me to show me that life is what it is and how everyone deals with their own demons and feelings.. I appreciate it so very much..Jean

"yet I feel I am absolutely nothing when it comes to the ability to make money and how a person success is identified by it. As I approach middle age it gets harder. " I totally agree with this diana, although I am far from middle age myself.

Age doesn't really matter in visual art like it does in sports and popular music.

It matters in sports because the body starts to break down and athletes get past their "prime." It matters in Rock and popular music because the vibe and image of "wild and young" that goes with the job starts to disappear as a pop/rock star ages as do the vocal chords sometimes. Of course you have those that have defied the rules like George Foreman becoming the champ in his mid forties and you still see the Rolling Stones still kicking it well into their sixties.

But really it doesn't matter so much in visual arts. In fact, two of my influences Pablo Picasso and Katsushika Hokusai created many of their masterpieces in their senior years.


--Roz Abellera

Roz, I can't begin to tell you how many famous artist have influenced me.. Although I don't have the ability to create like they did ,I still love looking at their works for hours.. as a matter of fact I have spent a lifetime collecting replica pieces of their art and also photos of it.. so when im here alone and thinking I can drift into a world of creative genius and absorb what possibly they were thinking when they created the pieces but then again I wonder if they were thinking...what is for lunch.. after all they were just human beings just like us.. I know age knows no barrier in art ,as a matter of fact so many start their careers at my age.. im ready to wind my down and be alone with my thoughts but then it is always wonderful to have companions that are artist and share your views and worries and thoughts about the future.. Jean

Rob Abellera Art…..I am an avid athlete and made of fitness my lifestyle I want to say that the age cap placed by the society in sport is moving up constantly. Unfortunately there are still so many misconception about aging…an area under continuous study. The body actually does not break apart as fast as we are lead to believe. We live in a very ageist society unfortunately and some myth are hard to bust. That said I have to agree with you. The thing is that creativity is part of our brain and that is what ages if we do not keep at it. Overall keeping informed helps with brain activity and exercise….this is what spur creativity IMO. There are young kids out there who are already brain dead…in young bodies.

What are you trying to debate?

"The thing is that creativity is part of our brain and that is what ages if we do not keep at it."

The same can be said of the human body; it will break down if it's not exercised.

The fact is, and this is my point: A 60 year old just getting into visual art has a better chance at success than a 60 year old trying to become the Heavyweight Champion.


--Roz Abellera

I went through a crisis of sorts concerning art when I was in my 30's. I had a gallery and was having several fairly successful shows but realized that sells were becoming as important to me as the artwork. I spent quite a lot of time researching art to figure out what the big deal was. Why is art basic to humanity? Why have people risked their lives and even died for art? Why is a single work of art valued so highly that someone would pay a fortune for it? I looked at primitive art, concentration camp art, naive art, outsider art and so on. What I discovered is far to long for this thread but renewed me. The concept of doing art, with money being the motivation vanished and I can say if I never sell another work, I am ok with it. Art is worth doing, each of us has something unique to offer. Wow he/she is really good! That may well be true especially from a technical standpoint but they might be doing themselves a disservice and be creating art that is hollow or shallow, to me artist who are honest with themselves and truly expressive are the ones to envy. Intent is on so many levels the true king.

Wow Ronald ,well spoken.. by the way I love primitive art..have you seen the projectile points that I put in my portfolio at one time? I love the primitive aspect of life.. things seemed more simple then but im sure it was a much harder life.. with that being said.. I like what you had to say ...

How quickly some of these discussions die.. :-(

Jean Gabriel, thank you for responding to all of our written thoughts so very late at night for me. Do you mind explaining your avatar? It's disturbing as I saw it once at my bedside upon waking not long ago. I haven't a clue, maybe it's you. (smile)

late.. ?? its 9.22 am here lol.. im not sure I want to explain it lol.. all I can do is laugh.. you saw it waking not long ago. what?

Sent you an email Lisa

I believe not to focus on how many are better than you, but to remember how many you have touched.

Love this

Yeah me too...really great quote.. Jean

At 70+, significance in the world or the art world becomes a moot point - once - I touched it well enough - now mostly sliding into obscurity.

I truly believe that at the end of my life, there will be no question of how i stacked up next to others,only if I was the best marlene I could be...in all ways.

The preciousness of being is your true specialness...ironically...the specialness one looks for is already the essence of who one is...looks to me like you've already been expressing that special uniqueness for a long time...the older one is, the richer the experience to draw from...just keep on expressing ...ahh the mind/ego..it's another matter altogether...

Being older myself, I haven't read much of what the op said, except for his original post, the long uninterrupted text with no paragraphs is a pain to read.

I need my eyes for painting, so I don't torture them.

Jean Gabriel, thanks for changing the creepy avatar. It should sell well in October. The new avatar is handsome and intelligent looking! Wow!

Age is only one issue on this thread. The second is whether ones artwork measures up as well as expressing a feeling of being impressed by the accomplishments of others. Many artist accomplish amazing things but if I ever come across one who expresses me better than me, I will quit painting. This is not likely to occur so I continue to create art. I would venture to guess this is why many artist work.

At 53, I'm beginning to feel my age. (I'll spare you the list of ailments and changes.) I have noticed one really good thing about getting older: I have so much more confidence in myself than I did when I was younger. Not just with my artwork, but with life in general. I am completely comfortable speaking in front of 100 people, where 20 years ago I would have wet myself! The fact that you are putting yourself "out there" on this site tells me that you have some confidence in yourself. You should be very proud of your photography.

p.s. I agree with Lisa about your head shot. Your current photo represents you well.

I guess if your head shot is scaring people away that may not be good, but I liked the first one. Reminded me of a sage on a mountain type of thing!

I'm not quite 50 yet and feel pretty darned insignificant now, are you saying it's only going to get worse?

"The preciousness of being is your true specialness" Joseph J Stevens

Love this

the god's look down
and want to incarnate to be like us
we look up
and want to re-incarnate to be like them
when at a dance
why worry about being a flower on the wall
just dance

David, In the grand scheme of things.. we are all insignificant.. Joseph seems to have the answer to all.. but in a ball of mud in a vast galaxy in the universe among mulitverses that will all be gone in a few billion years ..and that isn't much..

No one will ever know that there was anyone here much like many of the humans and civilizations that came before us ..we don't know about because we don't seem to be able to find
anything more than a few hints here and there because the planet has covered over their remains and the remnants of those civilizations so well we will never see anything of them.

But for now David..just be yourself ,think highly of yourself, let know one every make you feel any less than you are.Although we all are suppose to be the same .we are not..
Each and everyone of us is as unique as a snowflake. You are unique and your thoughts ,your actions and everything that you are..

When I spoke and apparently no one really read my post through..and I do not blame them because as a writer I could never do it because I run thoughts together ,words etc
people get tired and stop reading and yes im just as guilty.. not spacing is a bad bad bad habit but just because I do that does not mean im bad ..it just means im lazy .

I can and will change that if for no other reason than I get tired of reading my own post and things I write.. But David do not despair about being insignificant.. One day
you will make a artwork or do something to change everything.. each one of us has a destiny to do something great.. It will happen.just be yourself and do what you
do best.. and it will come..

Anyone want to bash me for use of English you are welcome.. those of you that have been supportive of me..thank you from the bottom of my heart.. those of you that
would like to see me fall by the wayside ..OH WELL ,im not going anywhere,,and if im too old to read what I have to say then ignore me but if you ask a question and
I want to reply I will over and over if necessary and if I post something you don't like don't look it is ok..I get many emails from people that are afraid to say anything

in public about something but they will talk to me privately ..that is ok too.. im old and frankly my dear I don't give a damn..im here to stay ..And Joseph thank you
for your input and your kind words..etc.also once again thank the people that have boosted me from my despair and worry .. and made me feel whole again..God Bless You
All.

The only thing special I can do on this earth is hopefully make other people (or animals ) feel special. The butterfly effect.

Nice structure Jean ! No worries about the English, it is a multi-national forum. I butcher my own language, but where is the law ?

Compared to an 80 year old - you are young.

& Please stop feeling that people are disregarding your posts here. Keep in mind the American time schedule of commuting hours, dinner & bedtimes.
Sometimes the forum is hopping, some times it sleeps. You will have to keep company with the Aussies in our late-nite hours.

Jean gabriel,
It is a conundrum....we are as insignificant as a grain of sand and carry a spark of the divine within us.
Only your opinion of yourself will ultimately matter.

Jean...you are welcome, and thank you for posting something real....to me that was human, connecting and life affirming in itself.

What I'm about to write might seem a bit superficial

But, at my age (I'll be 80 this May) I hope I can be excused for perhaps, being off track.

And you know how old coots have a tendency to repeat themselves. So, what will follow I've said before.


Looking back over the last 40 years, I'm completely satisfied on the decision I made at that midway point of that life...That being:....

Giving up the heady profession of Architecture to stick crab claws into mussel shells.

When someone who knew me B.V. (before vultures) saw me peddling my Art out of a 10'X10' tent in a gutter on a street in NYC, about a decade later, she was amazed that I found something that satisfied my neurosis perfectly.

For I had to:

1. Remain in the visual arts
2. Be unique,... one way or the other
and
3. Be in control

Now, this "control" needn't be the entire universe, a 10'x10' space would suffice.

And that is exactly how I got through those last 40 years.

Quite contently

As Keith Haring said, 'My contribution to the world is my ability to draw. I will draw as much as I can for as many people as I can for as long as I can. Drawing is still basically the same as it has been since prehistoric times. It brings together man and the world. It lives through magic.' Basically if you love what you do then do what you love. That's what I have gathered from my experience.

Janine Thanks for that ,you are absolutely correct.. I forget about the hours.. my mistake.. so yeah spending time with the Aussies sounds nice never thought of that..

Marlene and Joseph thank you .. very nice points .

Roger ,did anyone ever tell you that your comments is like reading the words of Buddha. Your years of wisdom is always appreciated.. You are very wise and so good at expression.

Sarabjit, you too are very wise . When all is said and done.. do what you like and forget the rest. Jean