Monday, August 24, 2015

Living A Beautiful Life At Any Age

Over the years I've received a variety of interesting responses to both me and my art. I've been called naive, credulous or Pollyanna. I used to think that was a bad thing. Now... I'm not so sure 'bout that!

I've been told I'm not cutting edge, and that my art was not edgy enough to be relevant today. Hmmmm...

It's taken me a long to time know what it is I want to "say".

And that is, in a nutshell: 

Carpe Diem! 
Seize the day. Life is short. 

Live it to the fullest each day, with Love and Joy.


Living Flamboyantly
by Retta Stephenson

There is a special essay written 92 years ago by Samuel Ullman that says it better than I ever could. I'll tell more about him another time. Suffice to say, he is special to me. 

Below is his essay. After you read it, you'll know why it's special to me, and why I want my art to be UPlifting. 

It may not be cutting edge or "cool", but it's what is in my heart: A zest to live a beautiful life, and to Love the best I know how.


"YOUTH"
by Samuel Ullman

Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; it is the freshness of the deep springs of life.

Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity of the appetite, for adventure over the love of ease. This often exists in a man of 60 more than a boy of 20. Nobody grows old by deserting our ideals.

Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, fear, self-distrust bows the heart and turns the spirit back to dust.

Whether 60 or 16, there is in every human being's heart the lure of wonder, the unfailing childlike appetite of what's next and the joy of the game of living.  

In the center of your heart and my heart there is a wireless station; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer, courage and power from men and from the Infinite, so long are you young.


When the aerials are down, and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and the ice of pessimism, then you are grown old, even at 20, but as long as your aerials are up, to catch waves of optimism, there is hope you may die young at 80.


 photo MultiDisneyBirdsOnBranch.gif

In our hearts, we are Forever Young,

Retta

Friday, August 14, 2015

Hey ya'll, it's Artists Appreciation Month!

Did you know that August is "Artists Appreciation Month"?? Me neither!

Well, alrighty then, I'm one of those... so count me in!

But I wouldn't BE one of those if I hadn't been influenced in my life by other creatives. This post will honor some that influenced me most.

(Long post, but like a comic book... mostly pictures, mwa ha ha ha!!)


My Artist Appreciation Month 
Thank-You-for-Influencing-My-Life List:


(Difficult to narrow down!! )
(Can click any images to enlarge)

For incredible skill and beauty both in painting and sculpture:

Moses
marble c.1513-1515


For color, design, and more color:




My Dining Room 1909


Almond Blossom 1890





For storytelling ability and beautiful illustrations:

Ecstasy 1929


 The Mermaid 1910


James Gurney, Imaginative Realism (I own these 3books!)





For imagination, whimsy and, of course, color:

Juggling Clown

Stilts & His Magic Rabbit


For bold and colorful art; he paints "the color of emotions":




But from a young age there was one that influenced me first and the most. 

The Master.
He captured my imagination...
He had an amazing ability to tell a visual story... 
He could touch hearts...
He portrayed goodness in life...
He used gentle humor or tenderness...

But most of all, his undeniable and under-appreciated skill in painting: 



I want to thank Patience Brewster for inviting me to join in posting about Artists Appreciation Month! I've thoroughly enjoyed revisiting old "friends" and seeing their paintings once again.

When I checked out Patience's art, oh my... talk about ADORABLE! And since I enjoyed it so much I thought I'd pass on the link for you. 

It's wonderful stuff, so here be ye the link to Patience Brewster.  Be sure to see their ornaments and check out my favorites, the Zebras named Zeke and Zelda! Too cute!


Happy Artist Appreciation Month!


Retta