New Art Adventures

Perhaps it started last summer when I worked a volunteer shift at Frederick Meijer Gardens. The members of the mostly male crew (who are great guys) were complaining non-stop about the aging process. A young intern turned to me and asked rather plaintively, “Is there anything good about getting older?”

Yes. Oh yes! I regaled her with how much wisdom and experience a well-lived life can bring. Travel, education, faith, life experience – the list is long. It all adds up to an incredible amount of knowledge you tend to take for granted until someone has a dilemma and you happen to know the solution. You know stuff. All kinds of stuff. And it makes you a wonderfully helpful person to have around. Yes, there are aches and pains and my stamina isn't what it once was. But it's a small trade-off for all I have learned.

Perhaps that conversation set something in motion - the desire to inspire younger women. But in my prayer and meditation, the idea of returning to graduate school started coming up. That seemed strange at my age and I dismissed it, but the thought continued to the point where I made a bargain with God. Not the best mode of prayer, mind you, but sometimes you just need to move forward. The bargain was, I'll go ahead and apply and if I get in, we'll take it from there.

Long story short – I'm starting studies for a Masters in Fine Art at the age of 70. Interestingly, most of the people who think I'm crazy at my age. Younger women are inspired. Which is what I aspired to do.

Truth be told, I'm a bit nervous. I have been out of the academic world for decades. But I'm also a little bit excited. I'll be posting my journey here and you can feel free to follow along.