Painter Alice Matzkin and sculptor Richard Matzkin have crafted this beautiful and touching book in homage to the experiences of aging. Richard's sculpture studies entitled "Naked Old Men" features one sculpture of a sleeping curled baby's body with an old man's face that is so touching and amazing I could not take my eyes off its beauty-yes, beauty. And his series entitled "Lovers" shows older couples entwined in intimate, tender loving embrace. There is loveliness in the way the ripening elder years are seen in the eyes of these two fabulous artists. Each of the artists expresses thoughts as each piece was in the process of creation in personal and artistic essays. This is a beautiful, loving tribute and a book that will be long cherished.

—Escapees Magazine

Exploring the Elder Years Through Art...

Alice and Richard Matzkin, she a painter and he a sculptor, live and love in a rural area of Ojai, CA. Twenty-six years married, they now share a studio and are engaged in interpretive expressions of figures in the midst of their elder years.

Alice, after a 22-year hiatus while she raised their two children, returned with passion to her paints and canvas and began to focus on women as subjects, most recently aging women, some nude, at ease with their bodies.

Two of her paintings—one of the famous potter and sculptor Beatrice Wood at age 100, and feminist Betty Friedan—were purchased by the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution and are in their permanent collection.

Richard was immersed in visual arts as a child, but pursued a long career in music and psychology before returning to art and falling in love with sculpture. He feels his life has now come full circle and, lately, he, too, has begun a dialogue through his work, focusing on elderly people as subjects, exploring and interpreting what it is to age in our society. One of his pieces was selected for the art book The Great Age, published by UNESCO during the United Nations International Year for Older Persons.

The couple has produced a book titled The Art of Aging: Celebrating the Authentic Aging Self, which “takes a penetrating look at aging through a series of projects that confront fear and curiosity about growing old. We explore physical changes, sensuality and relationships, aging parents, spirituality and death. Drawing on our personal experiences and the wisdom of older mentors, we conclude that our elder years can be a time of ripening and harvest. Look for the book at bookstores everywhere, as well as online.

—Artist Spotlight

Aging is something many regret, but it is undeniably part of life. The Art of Aging: Celebrating the Authentic Aging Self is an exploration through art for appreciating aging and coming to terms with one's own mortality. Covering mediums such as pencil, ink, paints, and sculpting, The Art of Aging delivers fine art and does much to give readers an appreciation for aging and the end of life. The Art of Aging is very much recommended for art collections and those intrigued with the senior mind.

—Midwest Book Review

Review in Ojai Valley Visitors Guide (pdf format)

A glorious gathering of older beings, sculpted and painted, with and without clothing by an artist couple in the process of examining their own aging process. Not all of the figures are shown in a flattering light, rather, the realities of wrinkles and folds might make the viewer/reader more comfortable with his or her own aging body.

The Art of Aging is divided into several sections with beginning essays, most written by either Alice or Richard while sharing their art to illustrate their concerns. "Artists must love their creations into being... So it is with creating a beautiful old age. It takes vision, dedication and constant attention." Alice, who has portraits in the National Portrait Gallery, writes and portrays "Women of Age: Portraits of Wisdom, Beauty, & Strength" in which she shares not only wise women but those of unusual athletic ability as well. Alice paints women across a wide spectrum of life.

Richard follows with "Naked Old Men," an essay and photos of organic sculptures. Some are hard to view, just as the reality of becoming very old is hard to view. I especially responded to "Death Bed," in which the dead man is in the process of metamorphosis and becoming dust once more. Alice's "Naked Truth" follows with older, often large women often joyfully displaying their truth. Richard follows with sculptures of "Lovers," all older and all loving.

More art and essays with the theme of aging and dying follow, but this is an uplifting book. I especially enjoyed "Becoming Elders," written by both Alice and Richard. "The message is very clear...We are being called upon to turn within and focus more on our soul. Our final destination is spirit..." These artists/lovers have shared their art and their love for many years. Here they also share their fears and the beginning of their coming to terms with their changing bodies and relationship.

Alice Matzkin has painted most ofher life and has 2 paintings in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery. Richard Matzkin is a sculptor, musician, therapist and writer. He has had numerous one-man shows.

—Judith Helburn, Story Circle Book Reviews