Thursday 5 January 2012

'When I Get Older, Losing My Hair'.

Sometimes I really feel my age. Right now I certainly do. Which goes much against the grain with me, because most of the time, I really don't feel that 64 is old. Actually, I think I'm quite a tough old coot. I certainly do not live a pampered life, though of course, that is down to my own choice. No doubt if I decided to live a more conventional lifestyle, I would be more comfortable. But I would definitely not be happy.

Salmon Leaping, by John Bain.
Green  woman, by John Bain.
What is happening with me at the moment, is that I am painting. Painting, painting, painting! It takes over my life. Once I begin a painting I have to continue until it is finished. I work very quickly, but even so, it can take many hours to finish a work.

I am really getting into the walking stick making too. Carving these things takes ages, and lots of concentration. This can't be rushed, because the knife has to be kept very sharp, and one slip could be nasty! They get painted too, which takes a surprising amount of time.

It is not exactly hard work, but the concentration required can be tiring. Headaches come too. I think because I don't drink enough when I am working. Meal times are irregular. Sleep patterns are very disturbed also. This past week I have not been going to sleep until dawn. The time just flies past, because I want to finish what I have started.

This is not me complaining about my chosen lot though. I love painting, or being creative generally. But this is where age does come into it. I can't do things these days as I used too. Something has to give. It can't be my artwork, because I have to earn money, even the small amount I make from it.

This blog, which I also love to do, will have to take a back seat, whilst I continue to prepare my 'ramshackle gallery'. I will still be here, but maybe not quite so regularly for a while.
Walking stick (unfinished) by John Bain.

Now having said all that, perhaps tomorrow, I will be feeling a lot better about things. Perhaps this, what I am feeling today, will pass quickly. Knowing myself as I do, I should think there is a high probability that it will. But just for the moment....

I really am feeling my age!

11 comments:

  1. Glad you are OK..I thought you may be ill which is why you were MIA.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can certainly relate to the feeling. Of course we will understand if you need to take time away from the blog for your artwork. Sometimes real life just has to come first

    ReplyDelete
  3. The salmon picture is brilliant, I can really see them fighting against the current (I can empathise with the salmon here).

    I get young days and old days my head is 17 and my feet are 93. I am actually 62 and I havnt even decided what I want to be when I grow up !

    Do try and drink more, when you get dehydrated your brain dries up and we cant be having that.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I get involved in much the same way with my projects. I have been known to stay up for days at a time but as with all of us my age does not allow me to do that as much any more. The snake on the walking stick is beautiful. Please make sure to share the finished product with us.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I like the snake on the walking stick very much too. Maybe, just maybe, you have to moderate your late nights and stick to a more sedate routine, even when the muse has struck. This could be your concession to your age. My experience is that it takes longer to recover from excesses and that my energy is a precious resource - to be used wisely.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for the update, John! It is wonderful that you have your artistic talents and enjoy what you do! We will be patient with you and look forward to your next post whenever that might be!

    ReplyDelete
  7. JOin the club.... I am only 65 but feel like 35 inside my head, looks....not too bad.....but body letting me down badly, aches here and there and no bloody energy, no stamina like I used to have. Nobody told me this would happen and I don't like it. I have so much going on in my head that I want to make and I know that time is marching on.
    I won't give in though, I hope to be doing my crafts to the end, so keep going.
    I love your paintings and being a Pisces the fishy one appeals to me.
    The snake stick is fabulous....
    Most of all don't stop blogging, even though I don't always comment I never miss a post.
    Briony
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. I know what you mean about those creative surges! Love the fish and the snake.

    ReplyDelete
  9. If I had talent like that, I'd never want to quit either.

    Oh, I guess I'm a little late for this, but Happy New Year, John.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I suspect that I don't have your talent so it is easy to wish you well. So be it.:)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Love the salmon.

    SP

    ReplyDelete