In my last blog I mentioned that I’m developing a series that explores aging in this country. Every time I complete a piece where an older person is in the composition it is added to the inventory list for this collection. Hopefully I will have the opportunity to exhibit them together very soon. Here’s a peak at some of the newer sculptures and the thoughts and information behind the collection.

Canada ranks as the fourth best place to grow old out of 96 countries. The countries are ranked according to the social and economic wellbeing of its citizens over the age of 60 in four key areas: income security, health, personal capacity and an enabling environment. According to 2014 International Global Age Watch Index the top-10 list is as follows: Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Canada,       Germany, The Netherlands, Iceland, United States, Japan and New Zealand.

So what am I trying to say with my sculptures on this theme? Well it’s more of an observation than a statement. When I think back to my grandparents, at my age they were already old . . . they were very old, physically and mentally. Of course the little aches and pains that come with aging have started to show up, but for the most part I don’t see myself as old. I don’t see my friends that way either. We’re active, we are still learning and growing, we’ve developed a wide range of new interests, we are more sophisticated in our tastes and much more knowledgable. We struggle with some of the new technology, but we’re onboard and we’re learning. We are living longer and we are living healthier. So being 55+ does not necessarily mean growing old, it can mean a new career, travel or even exploring a bucket list item you had no time for while you were raising a family. I see it as an exciting, freeing time and I look forward to what’s ahead.

A California research team also determined that as we age, we become more emotionally stable and content. In early adulthood there are a lot of what-ifs: finding a mate, having children, career, buying a home. Then you spend decades striving for and maintaining those goals. But when you’re older, everything has been resolved and you are less stressed and you can finally . . . relax.

Baby Boomers are people born post World War II, between the years 1946 and 1964. I fall smack in the middle. We are the largest growing age group. According to Statistics Canada, roughly 5.2 million people, or 14.9% of the Canadian population, was 65 years of age or older in 2012. That figure is supposed to double in the next 25 years. That will represent one third of the population!  That’s HUGE!!! We will have the biggest influence on housing, the economy, trends . . . just about everything! So pull up your pants and listen up all you teenagers, we are the new IN Crowd now!

Want to learn more, check out CTV News at http://www.ctvnews.ca/lifestyle/canada-ranked-4th-best-country-in-which-to-grow-old-1.2032073

Top Right:  “Gamers” 13″ x 15″ x 8″

Bottom Right:  “The Retirement Community”

Top Left:  “Power Walker” 22″ x 7″ x 7″

Bottom Left:  “Weekend Fisherman” 17″ x 16″ x 10″