Although I can’t quite summon the strength to call myself an artist, I am happy to spend quality retirement time experimenting with artistry. I’ve been at it for about a year now. Consider this my periodic plea to make room for art in your life.
It all started when I scavenged a pallet from my neighbor’s debris. I had no idea what I would do with it, but it’s like that Progressive ad when Jamie cries with joy, “Who gives away free wood?”
One day I woke up and decided I would burn it. An art form known as pyrography, although my version is a far cry from the traditional works of this genre.
I got a book from the library and decided to purchase an inexpensive woodburning tool. I sanded the wood a little bit, made some primitive marks and called it art. That first attempt quickly escalated to drawing more complex designs with the woodburning tool and filling them in with color.
At first, I used cheap colored pencils, and although the result is fine, the shades are more muted. I didn’t get the explosion of color I wanted until I threw some money at it … in the form of Faber-Castell Polychromos oil-based colored pencils. Then I added some acrylic paint. Then I threw more money at it and bought a high-quality pyrography tool. We like to call it the BurnMaster 5000.
The big question all along has been what to do with this stuff. I have given away a few pieces to mixed reviews. While I try not to get into the trap of love me, love my art, I was disappointed to learn my in-laws thought it was weird and didn’t know what to make of it. Ditto for a guy I play golf with.
That’s when I decided no one gets this stuff anymore. I’m going to be an art hoarder. I hung a couple on the fence in the backyard, but the sun just made them almost disappear. So, I brought them in. I found an empty hallway wall and bought a bunch of Command strips. The rest is decorating history.
For the record, I do not have the decorating gene. Our house has no theme, décor, color scheme or anything else that looks intentional. However, this wall is intentional, and I like that. I will keep adding until it’s full and then find another wall.
Experimenting with art has been one of the best discoveries of my retirement. Sure, it’s relaxing, but it also stretches me to think in new ways and challenges me to accept imperfection. I almost exclusively work with found wood that is damaged in some way, but a friend recently gave me some wood that was really hard to burn and color.
To reward myself for finishing the monster, I purchased a beautiful piece of poplar at Home Depot. Yes, it was easier to burn and the colors absorbed beautifully, but I missed all the dings, dents and quirks of my abused and discarded scraps. A psychologist could have a field day with that one.
Speaking of abuse, my dentist was asking me about retirement – you know, those rare pauses where you can actually speak – and I said we were not high-rollers. No big travel Jones. That life is mostly about simple pleasures. I had shown him pictures of my art. We always manage to talk golf. Cooking.
He said, “So, all you really need are greens fees, art supplies and food.”
Yeah, pretty much.
I love your art, Donna. It has a very 60s-70s pop art feel about it. I can’t wait until you have a whole wall of it. It will look spectacular.
Life really IS about the simple pleasures. I see the high rollers and how they are forever chasing after things that just don’t satisfy or keep one satisfied for long.
I used to envy people who had plenty of money (during the years I was only a paycheque/setback away from financial difficulties) until I got to really know them. Other than lack of day-to-day money worries, they weren’t any happier than me…in fact most of them were downright miserable. Give me the simple life!
Deb
Thanks so much, Deb! I’m always surprised at how many people don’t retire, even though they could. I guess everyone has to find their own path. But I don’t understand those who just want more money for more stuff.
You are definitely an artist, and one determined to enhance the process and outcome of your creativity. I love that you are repurposing things and the colors are so intense!! Art makes me pretty happy too.
I’m so glad to hear art is making you happy, too. I’m still having a hard time calling myself an artist, but I will try harder!
I feel like my creations have mixed reviews too. And I have also pretty much decided that I will not be making things for people that I’m not sure appreciate them. It’s not that I want them to drool over what I make, but it would be nice if they were displayed or used in some way. I love your art and definitely think it’s the kind of stuff that would sell well in an art show. I would buy a piece, I know. Your wall will be the envy of everyone!!
How funny. I thought it was just me. Thanks for the encouragement. I did join a local arts group, but so far all they’ve done is cash my check! They supposedly host member art shows, so if I ever hear from them, that might be doable.
I really like your art and your display wall. It reminded me a little of the home of an artist friend of mine – a well-known local sculptor. His own art and art of his friends is on every available inch of his two-story home. It’s a delight for the senses. A local museum undertook to pull every piece of art from his home and recreate it in several rooms of the museum so that more people could enjoy it. People loved the exhibit. Your wall is a great start!
That would be amazing to see. I might have to channel some Pink Floyd and sing about another scrap on the wall??
In the quilting and knitting world there is the phrase “knit worthy or quilt worthy”. Meaning the person needs to not throw the quilt down for the dog and generally be deserving of my time. Otherwise I make things for me or quilts for foster kids. I love you wall!!@
Hi Barb — I guess I would have to modify that to burn worthy! Hope you’re fully recovered from your fall.
No. 18 is particularly lovely, and I can see why you want No. 17 back. The wall looks incredible. Yup, you’re an artist with a great eye for color and design.
I attempt to quilt things, and my daughter is nice enough to actually use the placemats and table runner I made. My sister lives in another state so I have no idea if she uses them, but she says she does. I don’t care really once I give it away.
You are way too kind! But I’ll take it.
My sister is a quilter, and I love everything she makes. I bet your family does, too. I need to cut myself off from it emotionally once I give it away.
I love these pieces. They are so bright and joyful.
Cheers to the simple things in life (including art, food and greens fees)! 😀
Thank you very much! And yes, cheers to simple things.
I love your work – so colourful & joyful. I’ve long been an appreciator of art and less of an artist. There is serious artistic talent in my family (my mother & daughter to name just two) and I think that gene jumped over me. My creative streak is writing, and I’m so happy to have discovered it late in life. I’m not retired yet (although I am old enough), but I do agree very much with the mantra of cheers to the simple things in life.
Hello and welcome! I was a journalism major and worked in communications my whole career, so I’ve been writing a long time. Not necessarily writing well, but writing! Art is completely new for me. I’m with you and am so happy to have discovered it later in life.
Thanks for the welcome Donna, very happy to have found your blog.