The Art of Aging

The Art of Aging has received the 2010 Independent Publishers bronze IPPY medal, as well as a silver award in the Aging Gracefully/Retirement category of the Nautilus Book Awards.

In this beautiful book, painter and sculptor Alice and Richard Matzkin explore the experience of aging through their art, finding inspiration rather than despair.

Both in their sixties, they use their paintings and sculptures and personal narrative to examine aspects of growing older—the progression of physical changes, sensuality and relationships, aging parents, spirituality, and death. They feature well-known people such as feminist Betty Friedan and potter Beatrice Wood, as well as friends, neighbors, relatives, and themselves. They both explore the older nude body in some of their work.

Drawing on their own experiences and the wisdom of older mentors, they demonstrate that the elder years can be a time of growth and wisdom rather than stagnation and loss. This wonderfully illustrated book is a feast for the eyes as well as nurturing to the spirit and is a useful aide to learning the art of aging. It leads the reader to a greater appreciation of the miracle and blessing of life.

Alice Matzkin has painted most of her life and has two paintings in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution. Richard Matzkin is a sculptor, musician, therapist, and writer. The Matzkins live in Ojai, California, near Santa Barbara.

One tree will be planted by Goodlife.com for each copy of this book sold.

Click to watch a short interview with the authors about The Art of Aging.

Praise for The Art of Aging

In our modern world the old and the very old tend to be isolated from the younger generations. The Art of Aging by Alice and Richard Matzkin offers us a chance to redress this imbalance. Take this book and move slowly through it. Let the images work inside you and make room for the feelings and reflections they engender. We all can benefit from a sensual and emotional recognition of the whole human life cycle, no matter what stage of life we are in. I am deeply moved by the Matzkins' vision.

—Richard Moss, MD., author of The Mandala of Being

The Art of Aging is a beautiful book. The art work is sensitive and the content is meaningful. A must read for people of all ages.

—Ken Dychtwald, Ph.D, author of With Purpose: Going from Success to Significance in Work and Life