Artist Couple's Quest to Accept Their Aging
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 10:37AM
We are Richard and Alice Matzkin, a loving husband and wife age 67 and 70. As we entered middle age, we became disturbed by the increasing signs of aging we were experiencing – wrinkles, bulges, grey hair, etc. Being artists – Alice is a painter, Richard is a sculptor – we began using our art as a way to explore and work through our emotional turmoil, and negative views we held about aging. After 15 years, we have produced an impressive body of work, and a beautiful multiple award winning 
art/inspirational book, THE ART OF AGING, Celebrating the Authentic Aging Self (Sentient Publications, June, 2009). Most important, this work has helped us come to a sense of peace and appreciation of our aging process.
Through various art projects related to aging, we have explored essential issues about growing older, such as …looking beyond the surface and discovering inner beauty in an older face … joys and advantages of mature love and relationships ... finding acceptance of the changes taking place in our aging bodies … coming to peace with parents in their old age and death. These art projects, writings, and interviews with elders who are living their lives with passion and zest, have helped us discover that aging can be a time of ripening and harvest rather than stagnation and despair.
Especially in our age-conscious society, “old” brings up fear and judgment. While we don’t minimize the challenges of growing old, we have found our present moment to
be among the best of our lives. Age has given us a wider perspective, a deeper understanding of the meaning of our lives, a gratefulness and appreciation of the preciousness of “now”. This has come about primarily because, instead of trying to hide or deny the ongoing effects of time on our body and mind, we have attempted to consciously and joyfully embrace our aging. This is a message of hope that people of all ages will benefit from.
BIOGRAPHIES OF ALICE AND RICHARD MATZKIN
Alice has two paintings in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution. Her commissioned portrait of Chelsea Clinton hung in the White House during the Clinton administration, an entire collection of her work was featured in the national magazine, Ms, a video about her work was shown at the United Nations during the 1999 International Year of Older Persons, and she appeared with her art and speaking about aging gracefully on the Oprah Winfrey Show.
Richard has participated in numerous one man and group shows and has pieces in collections throughout the United States. He was key artist in a monumental equestrian piece in a train station in Ventura County. His sculpture appeared in an art/inspirational book – The Great Age – a UNESCO publication. He is a former therapist, men’s group leader, adjunct instructor in California Community College system, and program director of a psychiatric hospital. He holds a Masters Degree in Psychology. He is also an accomplished jazz drummer.
Find more information about their work Here
Reader Comments (6)
It's wonderful to see the work of Alice and Richard Matzkin getting the credit it deserves. Their book, "The Art of Aging", is tremendously inspirational, illustrating the intrinsic beauty in lives lived creatively and the gifts of deep appreciation for the act of 'becoming'.
This book is a must for those of us who are aging and those of us who are coming to that place of aging. Aside from enjoying the beautiful relationship of Alice and Richard the book is rich in their incredible expressive works of art.
I am proud to be associated with the publication of this strikingly beautiful book and the wisdom it presents. If you haven't seen it, you should check it out: http://www.sentientpublications.com/catalog/artaging.php
While an excellent article, it is far too modest. To meet Alice and Richard is to immediately be in another place! Their goodness and sincerity come though at once. It is truly a blessing to know them and to witness their wisdom; a wisdom so lovingly relayed through their art.
It is such an inspiration to read about Alice and Richard. Thank you for the post. As an artist, and a blogger on aging, I look forward to reading their book.
Wow. Good twist to finally put a positive spin on aging. This shouldn't be limited to us old farts but exposed to the youngins - they'll get here faster than they realize - no matter how many times we warn them! LOL! Been there, done that! Well done. Makes me appreciate the wife all the more. Thank you.