Carole Goldman Valley Village, CA Age 85
What keeps you excited in the studio? I am always experimenting.
Looking back at your trajectory as an artist, how would you say your work has developed? Returned to art after over 40 years I was in Santa Barbara at a very tough time and found free art classes at an affiliate of sb city college: The Shott Center and the Wake Center. I drew and painted 5 days a week and not only did it bring me joy and keep me out of grief, but I got better at it. I moved back to LA and pandemic time happened. Spent years on zoom painting in Spain England, etc, again many days a week. More experience more progress. And to others and myself became an artist with a specific style that painted works with great feeling.
What role do you think the artist has in today’s society? We can put before people a feeling for beauty, thoughtfulness, empathy, and communication at a time in the world that feels impersonal, joyless and fraught with conflict.
What’s the most important advice you could give to an aspiring artist? Draw paint and then draw and paint. Look at others art and consider what they do and if you don’t resonate with it or do. And use that information.
Does age matter in art? Why or why not? Well clearly, I am now 85 and ten years ago I returned to art!!!! I was a grad of music and art at Parsons in Ny. I worked for 2 years as a fashion sketcher and stopped for marriage and motherhood and another direction for a career in acting.
What can we look forward to from you next? I have embraced the fact I am decorative. I adore painting people from life and shall do so. It took a while for me to not follow the “rules” of art and to consider success is truly in the creating and growing not in how much money is earned. That $ thinking passed on by my family. I discarded those obstacles and am now always ready to rock and roll at my easel at the ages of 86 87 88…
Is there anything else you would like to share about being an artist later in life? When other arenas of employment are shutting down for an older broad or guy and when what you valued and were proud of does diminish (youthful body. The walk. …luster of the hair….) creating art is the answer for the rest of a fulfilling life with no one’s permission or the need to be a hire. Though creating art with a giant passion is best …Cause (passion!!!!!!!!) Truly makes it an everyday joyous journey.
https://www.carolegoldmanart.com @goldmanpaints
“Jazz” wall paint/fluid acrylic 26×20 painted on zoom in London from LA. May 2024