Aging Artfully: Profiles of 12 Visual and Performing Women Artists 85-105

Amy Gorman
PAL Publishing (2006)
ISBN 9780978519209
Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (11/06)


This book celebrates the lives of twelve women ages 85-105.  In this age that values youth, it is refreshing to read a book that values the talents and lives of the elderly.  Twelve ladies, all-talented, all over the age of 85 and each has given something of herself to the world.

Lily Hearst was a talented pianist.  “I practice scales and chords every day so I don’t forget them.  They are precious to me.  Everything goes but the piano – the piano doesn’t go away.  That is forever.”  She is thankful that she and her family were spared torture or death at the hands of the Nazis.  This amazing woman remained in good health and cheerful attitude until her passing at age of 107 in 2005.

Frances-Dunham Catlett is an artist.  “I face an empty canvas, then begin, the brush moves, and I watch the miracle happen.”  “It takes a lot of energy to create.  If you’re using energy elsewhere, you don’t create.”  “Frances credits her longevity to lifelong physical activity.”  She is 98 years old.  In May 2006, Frances bowled a 200-- the highest score for her team.  This woman will never act her age.

Ann Davlin, aka Grace Lowell, is a dancer.  “There’s a source of creativity in all the children and if you step aside it will come out.  Then you can guide their creativity.  You do it from the inside out.”  Grace is now 96, walks with a walker and is clear minded.  She stays busy teaching five piano students.  “People want me to be what they think their version of me is.  That is not how I am… if I can keep discovering things in my old age I think you go on forever… and I am discovering new things all the time, and old things come back in a different guise.”

Mary Beth Washington, aka Orunamamu, is a practicing storyteller.  Mary Beth sat at her grandmother’s feet listening to stories.  “What if our books were burned:  all we would have to go on is what’s in our heads.”  This amazing woman is still telling stories.

Dorothy Takahashi Toy is a tap dancer.  “We starved so we could dance.  We loved it so much we’d do anything just to keep dancing.”  This amazing woman now teaches dance to high school girls. 

Faith Craig Petric is a folk singer.  “With most songs, when I am singing them I am ‘there,’ wherever the song is, seeing and even participating in what’s happening in the song.  I would guess that many singers must do this and that it is the reason some close their eyes while performing.”  Now she takes her favorite songs to children’s concerts, political rallies and folk gatherings.  Faith has a message for older people.  “So often they’ll say, ‘Oh, you’re my role model, I want to be just like you when I’m older.’”  And I say “No, you don’t.  You want to be just like yourself.”  What a remarkable lady.

Rosa Maria Morales Escobar is a singer, folklorico dancer.  “I always thought I’d be dancing for the rest of my life; I just love to dance.”  She no longer dances due to arthritis but enjoys remembering the adventures of her past.

Grace Gildersleeve, rug braider for over 25 years she has been creating beautiful rugs.  She began at age 63 and at 93 continues with her art form.  Grace gives her artwork to friends and family members. 

Elsie Ogata is an Ikebana artist--the art of Japanese flower arranging.  “I want to be remembered for designing flowers.”  She is still healthy and practicing her art at age 94.

Stella Toogood Cope was a storyteller.  ”If you’re a storyteller, you can read a story and know that that’s your story.  You don’t try to tell one that isn’t your story.”

Madeline Mason, doll maker and sculptor, is an artist of great talent.  “Do what you’re able to do and make use of what you have.”

Isabel Ferguson, aka Betty Peterson, is an actor, illustrator, painter and assemblage artist.  “Isabel’s art runs wild—collectables, paintings, fanciful sculptures of found objects.”  “Old age is hot right now.  They don’t know what to do with us!”

This book, “Aging Artfully,” in itself, is a unique work of art. From the moment I saw the cover I could hardly wait to taste the delicious treats that promised to be inside.  As I read I eagerly devoured each page, enjoying the stories of these remarkable women. Each of the ladies immortalized in on paper have given something to the world of art.  It would be difficult to choose a favorite but I would lean toward the two storytellers.  How blessed the author was to meet 12 women of this caliber.  This book is well-written and documented. The print is a nice size for those of us who do not see as well as we used to.   The photography is beautifully done.    I highly recommend this book.

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