Aging Artfully:Profiles of 12 Visual and Performing Women Artists 85-105

Amy Gorman's book inspires me. Just as I thought I was too old to be serious about my art, always waiting in the shadows of my work life, I have discovered, with the help of this book, that art and aging are great company with which to journey forward toward the rest of my life. As I read about these women's lives and how their art propels them day by day, I see how art provides a thread, that, in spite of gray hair, and other signs of aging, helps one meet each day with interest and joy.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (11/06) This book celebrates the lives of twelve women ages 85-105. In this age that values youth, it is refreshing to read a book that values the talents and lives of the elderly. Twelve ladies, all-talented, all over the age of 85 and each has given something of herself to the world. Lily Hearst was a talented pianist. "I practice scales and chords every day so I don't forget them. They are precious to me. Everything goes but the piano - the piano doesn't go away. That is forever." She is thankful that she and her family were spared torture or death at the hands of the Nazis. This amazing woman remained in good health and cheerful attitude until her passing at age of 107 in 2005. Frances-Dunham Catlett is an artist. "I face an empty canvas, then begin, the brush moves, and I watch the miracle happen." "It takes a lot of energy to create. If you're using energy elsewhere, you don't create." "Frances credits her longevity to lifelong physical activity." She is 98 years old. In May 2006, Frances bowled a 200-- the highest score for her team. This woman will never act her age. Ann Davlin, aka Grace Lowell, is a dancer. "There's a source of creativity in all the children and if you step aside it will come out. Then you can guide their creativity. You do it from the inside out." Grace is now 96, walks with a walker and is clear minded. She stays busy teaching five piano students. "People want me to be what they think their version of me is. That is not how I am... if I can keep discovering things in my old age I think you go on forever... and I am discovering new things all the time, and old things come back in a different guise." Mary Beth Washington, aka Orunamamu, is a practicing storyteller. Mary Beth sat at her grandmother's feet listening to stories. "What if our books were burned: all we would have to go on is what's in our heads." This amazing woman is still telling stories. Dorothy Takahashi Toy is a tap dancer. "We starved so we could dance. We loved it so much we'd do anything just to keep dancing." This amazing woman now teaches dance to high school girls. Faith Craig Petric is a folk singer. "With most songs, when I am singing them I am `there,' wherever the song is, seeing and even participating in what's happening in the song. I would guess that many singers must do this and that it is the reason some close their eyes while performing." Now she takes her favorite songs to children's concerts, political rallies and folk gatherings. Faith has a message for older people. "So often they'll say, `Oh, you're my role model, I want to be just like you when I'm older.'" And I say "No, you don't. You want to be just like yourself." What a remarkable lady. Rosa Maria Morales Escobar is a singer, folklorico dancer. "I always thought I'd be dancing for the rest of my life; I just love to dance." She no longer dances due to arthritis but enjoys remembering

In a time when growing old is often equated with giving up, Amy Gorman has proved that life can be fun and enjoyable even into our very late years. Gorman's book, Aging Artfully explores the lives and art of 12 elderly women. These women are painters, musicians, dancers, storytellers and sculptors who have who have lived fascinating lives. I read this book in 2 days, mesmerized with each woman's story. As a former geriatric caseworker, I wish I had read this book long ago. So often we hear about sick and frail elderly, but we need to remember that there are plenty of people out there living a full life as they approach (and sometimes surpass) the triple-digit mark. Aging Artfully is truly an inspiring book. I highly recommended this book for anyone interested in the arts, biographies, aging studies, and related non-fiction.

"Aging Artfully" honors women artists, musicians and dancers living with zest well past their octogenarion years. Each tells her life story, and each story is enhanced with poems and and photos. Meet the painter, rug braider, pianist, dancers, sculptor, Ikebana artist, actor, singers, storytellers. Introduce this book into your family. It is for youngsters and elders alike. A special treat included in the back of the book is Frances Kandl's CD, "7 Songs of Women," a celebration of original compositions written to honor some of the artists. "Aging Artfully" is a lovely book and a gift from Author Amy Gorman to us all.

"Aging Artfully: 12 Profiles: Visual & Performing Women Artists Aged 85-105" is Amy Gorman's wonderful celebration of twelve remarkable women and their long-lived artistic creativity. In "Aging Artfully" Gorman selects twelve especially talented and accomplished women of the San Francisco Bay Area and tells their stories interlaced with poems, photos, and enhanced by songs composed and performed in honor of seven of the twelve by Francs Kandl. From Madeline Mason, 104 year old sculptor and doll maker, to 84-year old Rosa Maria Morales Escobar, singer and Folklorico dancer, to Dorothy Takahashi Toy, tap dancer of 89 years, to Mary Beth Washington aka Orunamamu, storyteller and snake handler aged 95 years, to Frances Dunham Catlett, painter aged 98 years, here are amazing portraits of creative women aging artfully. A companion DVD, "Still Kicking," by Greg Young follows the life stories of 6 of the 12 women and also includes Grace's song, written by Frances Kandl for Grace Gildersleeve, 94 year old weaver of rugs. Here is a remarkable collaboration to illustrate the power of involvement in the arts. "Aging Artfully" is such an uplifting experience, it should be shared with persons of many ages and occupations. It is certainly inspiring to meet Lily Hearst, for example, who at age 107 practices piano scales and chords over an hour daily, and performs pieces such as Chopin's "Fantasie Impromptu" and Mozart's "Turkish March" just for fun. These are wonderful women, extraordinary women, but they are also women who are used to making the best of their lives and keeping on getting on with it, despite hardships, setbacks, and sorrows. "Aging Artfully" is a book to be treasured and to be shared.