Golden Years
“Why is old considered useless? Because in old age, the emphasis shifts from doing to Being, and our civilization, which is lost in doing, knows nothing of Being. It asks: Being? What do you do with it?” — Eckhart Tolle
Medium : Charcoal, Gold Tempera
Date : 2017
Original Size: 18” x 24”
Painted first with brown, black, and gold tempera. Once the first layer is dry, the subject was drawn in charcoal. The woman is from a photo by spiritual photographer Lee Jeffries.
I invite you to look at this painting and really consider what the old woman is feeling. Really look at her.
Does she look scared? Surprised? Angry? Terribly lonely and sad? Overflowed with joy?
I hope you look at this painting and meditate on those feelings. Once you’re done, I ask you to think about your answer. To me, Golden Years holds up a mirror to our feelings. What old age means to us, or what I’m feeling in this current moment.