National Center For Creative Aging

The National Center for Creative Aging is about creative expression and using creative expression within the aging process. The creative process plus aging process will equal a full life with a flourishing spirit.  Flourishing spirit is a flow a movement from within.  A life force that is self- advocating. Different from a life that is not moving forward and not thriving. Moving forward doesn't need to take a lot of physical movement.  Just moving an eyebrow up and down to the beat of the music playing is better then nothing. Give it a name, "The Eyebrow Dance", now find a few friends, show them how to do, The Eyebrow Dance, and there you go!  There might even be a few smiles created along the way.  The National Center for Creative Aging has developed an online tool for caregivers to use to help themselves and the person they are caring for flourish, renew, and grow while they help each other during the aging process.  The creativity is there! Often creativity has just been closed up for so long it just needs a bit of nurturing to get out and bloom.  And the National Center for Creative Aging is there for help!  Location doesn't matter either at home, working in a facility, at a hospital, in a  senior center, any place that has an ipad or a computer.  The creative caregiving tool are creative modules that you select and follow along for about 15 to 30 minutes to complete a creative experience that will bring comfort and love with art, music, dance and poetry. This is a free tool and you can access it through www.creativeaging.org.  So keep moving forward no matter what even if it's just with an eyebrow!  Happy painting!

Quiet Sounds, by RaNae Couture, oil on canvas

 

 

Education Is The Hot New Leisure Activity

Creative Aging Programming is a growing field.  Creativity helps an individual flourish!  Creativity connects people and gives them a purpose to smile. Creativity is positive, praise and freedom.  Creativity is learning, laughter and love.  Dr. Gene Cohen stated once, "There is no denying the problems that accompany aging.  But what has been universally denied is the potential.  The ultimate expression of potential is creativity."   With the ever increasing number of individuals over the age of 65 the creative aging programming has been born. So join in and never give up and keep on learning something new!  In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in a small town named Curtis there is now a huge art center there with concerts, plays, painting classes, and exhibits.  Erickson Center for the Arts is a prime example of what we need more of across the United States.  Nonprofits dedicated to enriching the mind, body and spirit of individuals. The Erickson center provides education, cultural and physical activity classes.  I had an opportunity to visit an art exhibit at the Erickson Center for the Arts this past summer.  The exhibit was works by Scott Leipski, titled, "Raven Rex and other Ceramic Stories."  Scott Leipski has a wonderful imagination and is able to tell stories.  After thirty years of working in retail he decided to pursue his art career full-time.  I'm glad he made that decision! Each piece of his art was full of life, color, excitement, and pure joy.  It's never to late to learn something new. The individuals I saw painting at the Erickson Center for the Arts seemed to be around the age of 55 and older and they painted on canvas with many smiles, conversation and laughter!  The creative process helps the brain to renew and strengthen.  Check out your local art museum and art centers in your area for new and exciting classes to try out! Keep on keeping on!

Fleeting, By RaNae Couture, oil on canvas

Starting To Paint

Finding you source image is the first step.  What is a source painting?  A source painting is an image that inspires you.  It's the source that helps your mind tap into your creativity.  This image can be from nature, a book, your imagination, a song, a poem, another painting, a dream, it's endless.  Remember your first painting is finding you inspiration. You become an explorer and this might take a bit of time, no need to rush. Painting is learning to see. This is a skill that is learned and sharpen as you proceed on your journey.  It's all about the journey and not the finished product. Sometimes the journey will never be completed. It's the movement of creativity that matters. The movement of color, lines, sounds, patterns, all working together and each helping the other until the artist decides to move on to another surface.

Perdono, by RaNae Couture, Oil On Canvas, 24 x 36