The Beauty & The Potential in Aging

Hi, Friends, how are you? Did you enjoy a weekend? We celebrated "Christmas in July" and saw fire works. "Why fireworks?" I asked. A granny said CHEERFULLY, "Because the end of school holiday, ha,ha,ha!" Oh, Granny, be careful. Kids will call you, "Bad witch." Well, I hear some parents curse at school holidays. Messes, noises and fiascoes have haunted home. Now, finally, noble silence, routine and order come back to parents.But I always smile and raise a question for us, fussy grown ups, "Can you remember when you were young? What did you do?" All adults burst with a laugh and admit, "Ah, I did the same thing!" (*Children welcome my support?!) We seem to have buried our young stupidity in social norms. Kids, please turn a blind eye to us, adults. Getting older is not easy. Being old is a very demanding job.

By the way, talking of "Aging," generally, images are quite negative. Men appear to be more tolerant to admit a real age than women. Or I should say, sadly, society tends to celebrate being youngish, particularly about women.
Friends, "That's not fair!" should be added.But I love making old people's portraits. A question, "Is getting older ugly?" My sketches are dead honest. In the work, a number of wrinkles is really not a big deal. A physical age is more likely to appear in the tension of muscles. I've never thought it ugly.Fortunately, I could have sketched many wonderful old people. The most beauty in aging could be matured personality endorsed by rich experiences, deep knowledge and profound wisdom. Those lively seniors I met did/do not care about their real age. Rather, they told me a real age with a big laugh in a healthy pride. I felt their acceptance of who they were ; it's REAL beauty, too.

Some sketched seniors are already established experts. Yet, humbly they keep up their skills and challenge new techniques. All of them say, "Still a lot to learn. A long way to go," and pursue "perfect." Experienced elderly people are also wonderful teachers, full of wisdom. Quite interesting to observe how they teach students and apprentices. In my eyes, a good teacher may give a nice lecture. But a better teacher gives a clue that leads a learner to answers (answers are not always one!). Further, an answer makes a student think beyond. A given knowledge is easy to forget. But a time spent thought-out answer remains in mind.I heartily hope our society and culture will value aged people. Many masterful old people want to get involved with something or their favorite areas. Already pay or money is not a big matter. They are eager for contribution to society. Their concern and want for is the sense of belongingness and the meaning of life. Indeed, retired people are a great power in volunteer work that supports a welfare system.I really hope any organization and other opportunities tap these trustworthy people and activate rich assets in our society.
Anyway, happy painting!
I'm challenging new things and studying landscapes.Let us get old with youngish hearts! Ahahaha!!

The Beauty & The Potential in Aging