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About Aging in America: Portraits
and Commentary
This series depicts people who are between 90 and
104 years old. For as long as I can remember, I have had an affinity
for older people. As a portrait painter, I find that they often
have the most interesting faces to paint. Their faces reflect
much more character than those of young people, and the aging
process results in elaborate planes and surfaces that are fascinating
to observe and record. Similarly, older people often have remarkable
and surprising stories to tell, and while some elderly are unable
to enjoy their later years due to illness, poverty, isolation,
or for other reasons, many still take great pleasure in their
lives well into their 90s. In addition to painting their portraits,
I have interviewed all of these individuals about their lives
and how they are coping with aging. I have included excerpts from
each interview next to the corresponding portrait. I was very
moved to discover the tenacity with which many people continue
to strive for fulfilling lives, and how engaged some of these
individuals—90, 96, 100 years old—are mentally, physically,
and creatively, in savoring each moment.
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