Artistes Seniors dans le Monde de la Technologie Aujourd'hui

Overcoming Fear of Creating Videos of ourselves for marketing—Buried way down deep in Lynda's original post in this community, the topic came up of several of us expressing our sheer terror in creating videos of ourselves presenting and/or talking about our work. When I had to teach online in 2010, I sucked it up and did this and frankly, I looked and sounded ridiculous and awkward!...and my lifelong fear of being in photos or even on stage in front of people, turned into almost a phobia of being in front of the camera. Johanna Lerwick was kind enough to take the time and effort to provide me with her story in how she is working to overcome this challenge. I'm copying and pasting it below so that more of us can refer to it with regards to this challenge of posting story/description/inspiration/process stories to our ASF websites. (THANK YOU, Johanna!!!) After I learn this, then I have to tackle how to do reels for FB and IG. Agh!!!

Salut...une question technique : j'ai remarqué sur les publications de la communauté que si quelqu'un répond à mon message, il n'y a pas de bouton de réponse (à deux niveaux de profondeur), donc lorsque je pense qu'il est important de me connecter après leur réponse, j'ai essayé d'utiliser le formulaire de contact sur Art Helper>Pages d'artistes pour établir une connexion plus personnelle avec un artiste membre, mais à chaque fois, je reçois un message disant que le message n'est pas passé ou n'a pas pu être délivré. Qu'est-ce que je rate ?

Though I no longer take assignment work (unless there's a fat pay check involved...) I'm stoill quite active as a photographer, which will always be my favorite form of mental escape. One thing that has changed over the past few years is that while I own some of the best gear available, I'm increasingly seeking smaller and lighter camera gear. I've managed to create a manageable travel bag consisting of two lightweight cameras with optics that take me from 15mm through 600mm. If anybody is interested I can elaborate on the details.

An 81-year-old man has been drawing his entire life. His son posted three of his pencil portraits on Reddit — Janis Joplin, Bob Dylan, and Charles Darwin.

6,200 upvotes. 132 comments. Viral.

Look at this work. The detail in these portraits is extraordinary. Decades of practice in every line. This isn't AI. This isn't a filter. This is a pencil, paper, and sixty-plus years of showing up.

And here's what gets me — his SON posted it. The artist probably had no idea this was going to happen. He was just doing what he's always done: drawing. And someone who loved his work decided the world should see it.

That's the story right there.

You don't have to be 25 and on TikTok to go viral. You don't need to understand the algorithm. You don't even need to be the one who posts it. You just need to have done the work — and have someone in your corner willing to share it.

So here's my challenge to everyone in this community: if you're a senior artist who's been creating for years and you've got boxes of work nobody's ever seen — it's time. And if you're not sure how to get it out there? Get your kids involved. Get your grandkids involved. They know how this stuff works. Let them be your social media team.

Because this 81-year-old man just proved something: the work speaks for itself. It always has. The only thing that's changed is how far it can travel.

What's stopping you from sharing YOUR work today? And for the younger folks here — has your parent or grandparent been creating art that the world hasn't seen yet? Maybe today's the day. 👇

https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1rrdh9z

I'm starting a new post copying my reply to the one Janet posted in the technology thread. Janet, This issue is something a lot of us seniors are dealing with. Lynda mentioned a will, and there is also a living trust, should you prefer- paperwork you can get online and file with a legal person. I also bought a NOK Box (Next of Kin) that has all the folders, paperwork and lists of documents you need. Also, there are all the medical forms...just ask your doctor. My doctor brought it up when I turned 65. As far at ASF goes, I have been wondering about that...how to leave my NOK the info to get into my ASF account and let them know. I was struggling with temporary blindness for awhile and thought to stop my account too, but phone calls to the one person I had in my phone (the original salesperson) didn't get any traction, and luckily my vision came back after time, and I was able to continue, but I was really in a quandry for awhile. But I too wonder about how to get all of the ASF and attached parts notified...Stripe, Mailchimp, Fulfillment, etc. Does ASF have a procedure for this (a step-by-step guide-book AND a telephone number to call to get this procedure rolling in the event of an artist passing?...either reassigning the website to the NOK and changing banking info and a different billing program for a NOK or a senior unable to continue and wanting to just keep the website and income flow without the training, etc....something easy for a NOK to take care of. .....a question for the ASF team I think.

My life is my art but at the age of 82 I am finding my health and disabilities are hindering me from being a part of the art community as I was involved in 10 years ago even five years ago. The worst for me is the technology involved today with everything I try to advance my art in the art world today. A website, social media, promotion of my art and entering art shows present such challenges for me. I would love to hear from other senior artists about their struggles and solutions. Also, I find myself more alone in the last few years. I miss being around other artists in art shows, art classes, workshops and painting together.