Middle-aged mammals! I discovered the “bounce” feature on live photos on iPhone. While Sister was here recently we went a little bananas turning every photo into a bounce. I’ll spare you most of the nonsense, but not all. Here in my 5th month of retirement I’m reaping the rewards of not working. Swim class continues to delight me as the weather has cooled. Carol attended a class with me and it was fun to have a witness for not only the class but the wonderful participants.
I took an online class with Sandi Hester, a Youtube artist, in October: The Abstracted Still Life. Oh my goodness it was so much fun. I even made my own sketchbook so I could have an entire book to flip through. The photos below are sketchbook pages directly inspired by the class, particularly the color blocks over which I painted the various vases, fruit, bird statues. Terrific class!
Here’s the 9×12 sketchbook I made below to hold my masterpieces, but they’re actually scattered across 3 different books. The smallest one below…
This little 3×5 sketchbook is pure fun to use up leftover paint. Most of which by the way is matte acrylic, but then I reverted back to my good old gouache palette to paint the various real and imagined things over the top.
I went through lots of old sketchbooks to find objects, birds, candlesticks, etc., to add to my pages. I didn’t actually set up any still life scenes. If like me, you’re a long-time fan of still life and have plenty of beloved familiar objects you regularly fill your sketchbook pages with, then you may enjoy Sandi’s class. I sure did! It was the perfect class for a loosey goosey artist like myself.
I have a Substack account which I use to follow so many people. I like the way video can be easily posted without going through Youtube. It seems like one can simply upload a video from a phone. I’m thinking of doing some occasional sketchbook flips over there because I dislike having to go try and round up photos from my various sketchbooks to share here and so many don’t get posted. Yes, I really want to share everything I draw & paint. I like the idea of making a quick video, not editing it, and just uploading it. Simple. We’ll see what becomes of that idea.
In addition to swim class, hill walks, porch sitting, visiting the pull-up bar to do dead hangs at Sycamore Grove Park and good eats we also went to tea at the Rose Garden Tea Room at the Huntington.
We rounded up our visit with a drive out to Carpinteria to see our bestie Sharron.
In the photos below I’ve surrounded myself with old sketchbooks where I’ve painted my knickknack assortment over the years.
I’m headed up north later in November for a visit to Mendocino. Changed my mind yesterday because of an unexpected vet visit and the week-long rain event here in California. Otto & Iris are good, but need me at home right now. The old familiar jungle drums of cat anxiety started beating this week and I focused in on the words of Jiddu Krishnamurti (1895-1986) when answering a student’s question about what was his secret to peace and contentment:
“I don’t mind what happens”
I find those words deeply aspirational. This idea of being okay with everything, not in a passive, resigned sort of way, but in an alive, accepting, loving way that lets go of attachments and expectations of outcomes. This came to me by way of Tricycle Magazine from an old 2020 article Self-Care in an Uncertain World. Which also included a part about compassionate self-talk and keeping a don’t-know mind about the future. Useful instructions for living if you ask me.
On My Bookshelf
I’m still on an Elizabeth Taylor reading kick. Look:
My friend Chrissy from Cornwall is a writer and sends me her self-published books. Lucky me! Sister and I visited her in Bath last year. She took the train up to see us. Chrissy also visited me in Paris in 2011 when she and her husband, a potter, were living in France. We stay in regular communication on WhatsApp. How I value and delight in friends with whom one can regularly chat about the wonder and dread of being alive.
PARIS 2011
Longevity
Sister and I are constantly sharing data-driven, evidence-based research about longevity, aging, increasing our VO2 max, weight training, protein consumption and on and on. Recent listens have included
The Science & Art of Longevity
If you have similar interests, let me know any good ones you’ve stumbled upon. My comments don’t typically accept links, but you can add titles etc.
By the way if you took Ticket To Venice a zillion years ago and want to revisit it free of charge I’ve stopped offering that class, but can give you the password so you can access it through the end of 2025. And if you never took it, but want to, just leave a comment letting me know and I’ll send you the password.
As usual, send me a comment postcard on your wild and precious lives. I want to know everything.
See you soon xo
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Please send The ticket to Venice password! Thanks so much, can’t wait!
Please send link to Ticket to Venice!!!! Yippee!!! Thanks!!!!
I’ve probably never mentioned this, but you are the reason I started doing acrylic painting and now gouache, with no art experience previous to this. Sometime during the pandemic I found your blog and thought, “this looks great! Why not?” It saved my sanity to be able to art journal. I so enjoy seeing your work, and it’s a reminder for me to keep going, keep practicing, and keep learning. Here in Oregon we are headed into what we call The Big Dark, which means lots of time to do inside things like paint since we have only about 8 hours of good daylight and even then, it’s gray and rainy outside. But I’m also pondering a foray into 3d art using stones, plus making some decorative wall hangings with wood and various textured fabrics and materials. Winter is such a good time to get creative and nurture ideas!
I’m glad to see you are enjoying retirement so much. What a generous offer. I would love a password to ticket to Venice. Thank you
What a generous offer. I would love a password to ticket to Venice. Thank you
Oh my goodness! There we are in your fab Paris apartment! I have the photo I took at the same moment, we were wearing the scarves we bought ourselves in that boutique. Funny, I wore mine just yesterday.
Thanks for mentioning my books, Mary Ann. I loved writing them.
This morning at 6 o’clock I closed the last page of Mrs Palfrey, touched all over again by the insight Elizabeth Taylor had about every stage we go through as humans – from small children to very elderly people like Mrs P. It’s a wistful and beautiful story with an unexpected ending. I’ve read it several times now – you’ve made me want to read E T’s books all over again. Yes, all of them!
One Ticket to Venice, please.
I’m glad you recommended Sandy Hester‘s online class I had been thinking about taking one so maybe that’s it. I love her loose style and your new take on page design is delightful. You’re looking mighty fine in your lean and trim athletic self, dear reporter. Swimming, walking, and retirement suits you.
All is well here on the farm in TinyTown Oregon where I live in my studio next door to my daughter and feed snacks to our shared twin black-and white kitties. I paint. I sew a bit. I work in my sketchbook. And I’m teaching my youngest grandson age 18 to make patchwork quilts. Life is good in my late 80s.
Jo, correspondent from Gaston
I just finished taking a 3-day online Zoom watercolor class from Keiko Tanabe, who lives in San Diego. We did a different painting every day. Lots to learn.
It’s so great that you’re loving retirement. I’ve taken all your wonderful classes and would love the password to watch Ticket to Venice again!
Sandi Hester is a favorite-I’ve thought about taking the still life class-I took one on birds and it as fun. Always love your posts! And raising my hand for Ticket to Venice-(I did not take it before). Happy retirement!
Would love the password. Thanks!
Xo
Reenie
It seem to me the last image is the one who knows everything. The only one.
Always enjoy your chats!
A Ticket to Venice? In the comfort of my jammies? Yes please! And a massive THANK-YOU for all the inspiration over the years. SEWN & Remains of The Day have always been my favorite workshops.
I’m planning a trip to Italy with my granddaughter. I’d love the password.
Thank you, Michele
I always love seeing what you are up to and really appreciate you sharing your words and photos! I would love to revisit Ticket to Venice and appreciate you offering the password, thank you so much!
I love it when a postcard from you pops up in my blog reader. I hope you will advise us when you post the videos to substack. I tried to look for your account to follow, but didn’t find it. I didn’t take your Ticket To Venice class, but would love the password. I could definitely use the inspiration. My journaling has been a bit slow lately.
Hi Mary Ann, I took Ticket to Venice and loved it and would really appreciate the password for one last look! I am currently working on Stitchbookery, which is also awesome!
Glad you are enjoying your retirement😀
Sue
Maryann, Your posts are inspiring to read. I was glad to see art friend Sharron among your photos. I visited her and Joyce back in the day of ARTFEST, etc. What a wonderful time! You seem to have extended it. Best wishes on the adventure of retirement. It’s a different kind of trip and then what you make it! Carry on. Ginny B
Hi Ginny… those were good times, sending you a huge hug by way of Mary Ann 🧡
I would like a Ticket to Venice please!
I cannot travel in real time so sketchbook travel is the next best thing!
Love your posts!
Ladyfish
I’d love to take your Ticket to Venice.
You’re so generous.
Thank you
ahhh, Venice. I could use some of that right now. password please 🙂
Hi Mary Ann,
I’m so happy that your transition to retirement is going so well. You are very smart to give it a year before making commitments. I didn’t do that and started to burn out by over scheduling. I wanted to do everything I had said no to before while working. After putting my scheduling secretary through some remedial training things smoothed out. I now enjoy doing many different creative, artsy projects. See a new interesting project, “squirrel! “. But that’s not a horrible problem. 😛
I’d love to have access to the Venice class, (squirrel!). I didn’t sign up for it originally but I believe quite some time ago I signed up for one of your other classes.
Thanks for posting about you retirement journey and artsy pursuits!
You are surely making the most of your well deserved retirement! Love looking at your sketchbook pages! Check out Dr Mark Hyman on Instagram. He also has a podcast and has written many books about longevity and nutrition.
Sister!!!
I adore that last photo of Iris! I love that she is not looking one bit timid and is saying “listen I like your sister ok, but I prefer having you all to myself, maybe she and that knucklehead brother of mine can stay somewhere else next time she visits?”
P.S. I want to come back once a week for splash class. It was so good.
Sister!!!!
Hi Mary Ann! Retirement really suits you – you look wonderful! And those sketchbook pages are fantastic — truly a feast for the eyes. I’d love to have the password for Venice. I’ve taken several of your classes, and it would be such a treat! Thank you for the generous offer 🙂
Warm greetings from Copenhagen,
Kristina
I LOVED Ticket to Venice & would like to have the password. As a fellow retired teacher, welcome to the club!
Not sure if my first message went through. I would appreciate getting the password to your Venice travel course!
Hi Mary Ann, I so enjoy hearing of your retirement adventures! I would love to have the password revisit Ticket to Venice, I can’t seem to find my notes from that class. 🙁 Perhaps you will cook up more online fun to share with us in time?!
Hello Mary Ann, I took your Sketchbookery and Gouache classes and I’d love to try out “A Ticket to Venice”. I am very happy to see more of your sketchbooks. I’ve been reading your blog since 2016 and it’s truely inspired me to be creative too. Thank you for sharing.
Best wishes from Germany, Ina.
I took your Ticket to Venice and thoroughly enjoyed it. I traveled to Venice April, 2019 and journaled in the book I made from your class. Thanks so much for offering the password now; I’d love to have it and re-visit your Venice travels.
Have you read Peter Attia’s book “Outlive”. Great read and he has a podcast also called ‘the drive’ where he interviews various experts on living well.
I love reading your posts and seeing how you are enjoying retirement! WONDERFUL!!!!!!
Good for you- making the most in your post- teaching life! I am fairly new to elementary school retirement and trying out this new landscape where I try to focus on projects for me not everything for my classroom charges. I, too, am focused on physical wellness and have found positive posts to the extent of nutrition (protein and creatine supplements) and weight training to support muscle strength.. check out Dr. Vonda Wright a surgeon who advocates for aging women and exercise to support wellness!
I would love the password to Venice. I have taken several of your classes and love hanging out with you through them.
Please check out the following book as I think you might like it. Mona’s Eyes by Thomas Schlesser is a book about 10 year old Mona who briefly loses her eyesight. Her grandfather takes her to a museum every Wednesday where together they study one work of art and talk about it. Made the book jacket are pictures of the art they discuss.
I would love to have the password for Ticket to Venice, thank you so much. I love your posts – you are delightful!