Uncool

Writing about art is like dancing about architecture.  Anon

Me and Kathleen

I'm increasingly amused by the vogues of the day, the trends as in "trending", that we are supposed to pay close attention to or... what? I don't know.  I suppose the curse is that we will be labeled "uncool" by someone. Horrors! In the picture on the left you see two women [one is me] who are riotously unfashionable though having a perfectly marvelous time on a paddle wheel boat in New Orleans several years ago. Both of us shop for comfort and more times than not, in thrift stores. When I saw this picture it made me smile because we are so oblivious to what the fashion was at this time in our lives.  I've been thinking about uncool a lot lately. 

One of my newfound delights is volunteering at the library. The task I was given is to make sure that the books, DVDs and graphic novels are absolutely in Dewey Decimal System and alphabetical order.  I now have the joy of discovering parts of the library that I've neglected for many years . The last group of books I organized was the Oversize Books.  How incredible to find art books with glorious illustrations from famous artists from many different eras. I just returned a wonderful Thomas Moran book and reveled in the glorious [although mostly fantasized] scenes he had of the northwest and the west.  

Life is very nice, but it lacks form.  It's the aim of art to give it some.              Jean Anouihl

Next, out of curiosity, I brought a large book of Norman Rockwell's many illustrations home with me.  I knew  as a young woman I was amused by many of his illustrations and admired his handicraft. Sadly, I never knew the depth and breath of his work. When I was growing up his work was belittled by critics as sentimental tripe, very uncool, which I supposed influenced my understanding of Rockwell's work. Then I read about Norman Rockwell's work and viewed the decades and the depth of his art--- I found myself bewildered. This man was an excellent artist and superb craftsman of the highest degree. Yet he was scoffed as uncool and second rate. Why? Because the "trending" art at that time was all about the expressionist, the avaunt guard and modern art that was so popular at in the 1920's through the 1980's when he was producing his amazing and interesting art. Basically Norman Rockwell was declared uncool by the powers of the press and critics. Yet the people who were not critics, loved and appreciated him. Very few of the critics could or would see the artistry and beauty of his work. The picture above of Rockwell's 'Do Unto Others' has deep relevance and meaning today although it was painted in 1960.

more on uncool outfits

Although I chuckled at Norman Rockwell's portraits of the salt of the earth types, I also realized the skill it took to make you look at the image before you and immediately be in on the joke with the artist.  That brought a smile and joy to millions through out his career. It seems to me that it the essence of cool. Joy and laughter.

It's strikes me as interesting that Rockwell's art is every bit as well executed as Andrew Wyeth's art.  I realize this is a shocking and strange comparison. In 2017 had the privilege of seeing Wyeth's work at the Seattle Art Museum. When looking at the two artists, the contrast is acute. Rockwell's art is rich with incredible detail, often funny, whereas Wyeth's art is dramatic, well executed and achingly spare. So, I asked myself, does being amusing distract from the quality of the art? I'm thinking to me, somehow it must. Because the overall question: would I like a picture on my wall of an Andrew Wyeth or a Norman Rockwell to look at forever?  I'd  honestly have to go with the Wyeth. Does that make me a traitor to my own argument?  Worse things have happen to my thoughts.

man in a boat

Wyeth is cool, literally and the art world was, as it certainly should've been, wowed by his impeccable technique and craftsmanship. Rockwell is frankly corny but his craftsmanship and technique are also impeccable, brilliant even. Is this a case of apples and oranges or Caravaggio and Bosch? I'm kind of baffled as to the answer, if there's even a correct one. As my Grandmother used to say, "to each his own, said the old lady as she kissed the cow."

susansmagicfeather 2021 Susan R. Grout 

  

Flunking Retirement

 

Retirement at 65 is ridiculous. When I was 65 I still had pimples.  George Burns

 Growing old is like being increasingly penalized for a crime you haven't committed.                                                                    Anthony Powell

It was new for me to retire, I was only a couple of months away from my sixty seventh birthday and I loved my job as psychotherapist and especially the people who were my clients. But I also knew that I needed more in my life. More stimulation, more challenges and new adventures. One part of me was definitely hesitant to retire because I was reminding myself of several older gentlemen that I'd worked with over the years. These very energetic men were bored out of their skulls in retirement. Being a woman of action, I gave them tasks to do and to my delight and surprise, they did each one. I gave them homework assignments and they turned up at my door with the results. Here is a partial list.

1.  I encouraged them: to do volunteer work with whatever interested them, 
2.  to take up or re do a hobby,
3.  to learn a sport or a game they'd never tried before,
4.  to travel to places new to them,
5. to start or join a book club,
6. to read all those books that you've saved,
7. to find a hiking buddy--- preferably one who'll discuss those books,
8. to take University classes.

All of these men tried on many different hats and the numerous things I suggested and came up with interesting takes on their own. The tests, if you will, lasted about six months and then--- guess it's not a surprise--- many of these men [interestingly very few women] flunked retirement. Also, no surprise  many eventually went back to their jobs or took a job they found that they loved.  Retirement is not for everyone. I jokingly said they were allowed to flunk retirement. 

Also reminiscing I realized that many times in my life I've had the opportunity to retire. Before I had small children I stopped working while pregnant. I pictured that I'd take leisurely long baths, I'd write a novel, I'd go for long walks and I'd make endlessly delicious meals. Then once the babies were born I found it laughable that I even contemplated all the leisure I'd have. Full time and plus was my experience, as is true for most new parents. But the years rolled on and when my littlest one went to kindergarten and I couldn't for the life of me figure out what mothers did with themselves all day long until the children returned from school. I'm sorry to say I found being a stay at home mother boring. So I went to work. My first job was volunteering for our local co operative preschool and I did enjoy that but it wasn't paid position and I decided I needed more plus a salary. 

The job I got was working for the newly formed Drug and Alcohol center as a junior counselor. I'd been a psych major and that suited my new boss just fine as qualification for the job. Totally inexperienced for dealing as a counselor, I optimistically pictured myself learning right along with my clients.  Little did I know the office was set up to take care of the burgeoning case load in our local district court system. Truly it was a revolving door: in came the court ordered people with their list of problems from drugs or drinking and out they went most often to re-offend and end up with  our office again. There were successes and that was gratifying but most of the court referred clients really did not want to be there.  I stuck with this crazy system for nine years. Along the way I became familiar with AA and Al anon, many, many workshops and I successfully completed credits for a masters degree in psychology. 

Since I had nine years of practice and the new six months of the masters degree under my belt, my mentor and co worker showed me that I could be making approximately twice the money if I started my own counseling practice. I did and I never looked back. Instead of a revolving door, I had a rich, full opportunity each day to work with people who had a vast array of issues that were related to many different areas of their lives. I rarely worked with the courts.  It was rewarding to watch as people desired and wanted change and to get healthier and many times became happier.

I loved my work and found that most days were exhilarating rather than exhausting. I was in this lovely profession for almost thirty years. Then as I was nearing my retirement age I decided to finally take the social security and run. Except I didn't. I stayed on a couple of years more. Then a series of events: my husband retired and seemed to thrive in his new freedom, then my beloved Mom died and finally I had to put down a dear faithful cat. 

I knew after awhile that needed more in my life. More stimulation, more challenges and I needed to let go of being in charge of another person's welfare. This is hardly a fair statement, I really was just the mountain guide. The client would have to climb that mountain to wellness, with some safety tips. 

My sisters announced they were going to attend a guitar workshop that summer and I wanted to join them. So then retirement became a relief and a joy. Interestingly, re read all of those tips and encouragements I gave above for the older gentlemen. Now, it revealed itself to be my list, the list I still adhere to for a rewarding and full retirement. In addition to that list I have a delightful Zoom each week with six other musicians, [two of whom are the sisters], and we write a song and tell stories from our life or experiences on various interesting topics. Also I work for the Democrats locally and have been involved in getting many elected. That work is hard, laborious but ultimately satisfying labor. The latest volunteering has absolutely been the most fun---working for our library in their children's reading program. I play the guitar and sing songs. My fan base in nine months to five years. Bliss. 

All those who believe in telekinesis, raise my hand.               Steven Wright 

Being of an independent mind I never dreamed of going back to an office but I will never give up the skills I learned from the more than thirty years as a psychotherapist. I love sharing the tips that have helped many people. It was my great privilege to work with all kinds of people, all ages and all nationalities. Though I loved my work I'd grown weary and wanted to travel, to reintroduce myself to writing and my music, and to be with my grandchildren before they became completely disinterested in me. Now I have that freedom and am attempting to make the most of it. 

susansmagicfeather 2021 Susan R. Grout rights reserved.