Where Have You Been?
Each day for the past few weeks has been jammed packed.
A friend asked me to lead a crafts class at an Adult Health Day Care Center back in March. I'd been looking for a space to teach some dye classes and thought this might a good way to get some instruction practice under my belt. Little did I know that older adults would soon be become an ongoing theme in my life.
The same friend forwarded an application for the Workforce Academy for Youth, conducted by the county
Department of Aging and Independence, Intergenerational Program. In this program a senior (defined as over 55) is matched with an emancipated foster youth. The youth is also an intern working in a county department for six months. The county holds a job fair to match youth to departments. Looking forward to retirement (actually a stable income with no employment attached), of course I applied and was accepted as a life coach.
My intern is a treat. Ambitious, articulate, open. I understand that I have been given a lesson from the universe. Did I constantly talk as a young person, do I still talk (and write) endlessly. Yes I do. So of course, from the moment I meet weekly with my intern until I drop her off at home I am treated to a stream of consciousness conversation requiring only an infrequent question on my part - "Now, Big Mike is the guy with the tattoos, who is straight up?" or "Wasn't Melissa hooked up with Tony last week? What happened there?" This new found daughter has completed cosmetology school, secured an internship for training in London, after which she will practice her skills on cruise ships. The babble hides discomfort, but can not disguise her focus and wish to create the best possible life for herself.
Finally, at last fiber, fabric, dye, textiles, resist processes. I went to a meeting for a project called Art Meets Fashion. Coordinated by several artists organizations in San Diego, this is the project of a lifetime. Four of us will collaborate for one year on a project around the theme of evolution. One metalsmith, one fiber artist (me), one educator and leather artist, one educator and fashion designer. Major publicity, outstanding exhibition venues throughout the city, stylists, a fashion show at the airport, who know what else the organizers will come up with by April 2011.
The Art Meets Fashion Evolution team has created a blog so you can keep up with our doings. http://amftransformation.blogspot.com. We are off to a great start. Our meeting this week should give us some idea of exactly how we will collaborate. Whether we will work like a composer and a lyricists or take our theme along with some parameters and head into our individual studios to create. I like the idea of each team member coming up with her own piece and using the rest of us as a resource. Kind of four artist/client relationships.
Marcia Young, the editor of Valley Fiber Life has added a craigslist-like board to the e-magazine site. Post all of your fiber art related news there.
This is my question - if this is what my life looks like pre-retirement, can I expect to limp into bed every night from now on, so stimulated I can't sleep, dreaming in color; considering taking psychology classes to learn more about group dynamics, brain development, youth, childhood abuse; additional classes on organic gardening and digital design; working on series of exhibition quilts and art wear; meeting interesting and creative folks; walking the dog; cleaning the house; writing lesson plans; and on and on? Is this retirement or am I fully engaged in life and loving it?
Bring it on.
A friend asked me to lead a crafts class at an Adult Health Day Care Center back in March. I'd been looking for a space to teach some dye classes and thought this might a good way to get some instruction practice under my belt. Little did I know that older adults would soon be become an ongoing theme in my life.
The same friend forwarded an application for the Workforce Academy for Youth, conducted by the county
Department of Aging and Independence, Intergenerational Program. In this program a senior (defined as over 55) is matched with an emancipated foster youth. The youth is also an intern working in a county department for six months. The county holds a job fair to match youth to departments. Looking forward to retirement (actually a stable income with no employment attached), of course I applied and was accepted as a life coach.
My intern is a treat. Ambitious, articulate, open. I understand that I have been given a lesson from the universe. Did I constantly talk as a young person, do I still talk (and write) endlessly. Yes I do. So of course, from the moment I meet weekly with my intern until I drop her off at home I am treated to a stream of consciousness conversation requiring only an infrequent question on my part - "Now, Big Mike is the guy with the tattoos, who is straight up?" or "Wasn't Melissa hooked up with Tony last week? What happened there?" This new found daughter has completed cosmetology school, secured an internship for training in London, after which she will practice her skills on cruise ships. The babble hides discomfort, but can not disguise her focus and wish to create the best possible life for herself.
Finally, at last fiber, fabric, dye, textiles, resist processes. I went to a meeting for a project called Art Meets Fashion. Coordinated by several artists organizations in San Diego, this is the project of a lifetime. Four of us will collaborate for one year on a project around the theme of evolution. One metalsmith, one fiber artist (me), one educator and leather artist, one educator and fashion designer. Major publicity, outstanding exhibition venues throughout the city, stylists, a fashion show at the airport, who know what else the organizers will come up with by April 2011.
The Art Meets Fashion Evolution team has created a blog so you can keep up with our doings. http://amftransformation.blogspot.com. We are off to a great start. Our meeting this week should give us some idea of exactly how we will collaborate. Whether we will work like a composer and a lyricists or take our theme along with some parameters and head into our individual studios to create. I like the idea of each team member coming up with her own piece and using the rest of us as a resource. Kind of four artist/client relationships.
Marcia Young, the editor of Valley Fiber Life has added a craigslist-like board to the e-magazine site. Post all of your fiber art related news there.
This is my question - if this is what my life looks like pre-retirement, can I expect to limp into bed every night from now on, so stimulated I can't sleep, dreaming in color; considering taking psychology classes to learn more about group dynamics, brain development, youth, childhood abuse; additional classes on organic gardening and digital design; working on series of exhibition quilts and art wear; meeting interesting and creative folks; walking the dog; cleaning the house; writing lesson plans; and on and on? Is this retirement or am I fully engaged in life and loving it?
Bring it on.
Fully engaged and loving it! For sure...just remember to breathe occasionally.
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