While the immortal William Shakespeare may have written, “The eyes are the window to your soul,” I beg to differ. For while we can hide within even the most direct of glances, the voice doesn’t lie. This is something that I have been thinking about in recent conversations with my friend Vickie, who is dipping into the realm of author’s reading their work (her book is coming out on June 1, so more of that anon).
Where does your voice live in your body? Is it something that you give much thought to? As a former theatre actress, I most certainly have in my day, for it is the most expressive tool in our art. And yet, my voice has changed enormously since moving to France. It took me a few years to realize it, actually. I would only drop back into that deep alto on visits home to the States. The rest of the time my pitch was nearly an octave higher as I questioningly tested words and verb tenses. Gone was that reassuring flow. And it stayed that way for many years as I learned and struggled and stumbled with a very difficult language. And today? Well, I suppose that my voice has settled with time and the confidence that comes with age into somewhere in-between. It seems like there is a lot of the in-between in my life these days and that too I have to assume, to be more sure (for when are we ever 100% certain of anything) and listen keenly to another voice, my inner one.
All the better to see you with, my dear.
As for artistic voices? To live a creative life is fascinating and challenging with many colors that blend seamlessly into one another. It takes enormous courage to put yourself out there over and over again, sometimes only to be repeatedly dealt the brutal blow of rejection. But such a life is not chosen, it chooses you. This is why I have such enormous respect for those who endure. I was incredibly inspired by an article on Flavorwire featuring “10 creative women over 80 you should know.” I thought that you might be too.
These women are not bogged down by the cult of personality and none of them are afraid of their vision, their voice. The windows to their souls are dazzlingly clear.
Oh good. Rain is good! But yes, it is relatively chilly for us but I will never complain as my family is in Michigan (as you know) and…brrrrr….
Hello Mrs. Mendiola and thank you so much for your very heartfelt response. These are trying times for so many of us and what a challenge it must be for you to not be able to find work. But I do agree with you that it could also be your opportunity! Wishing you all the Best as you embark on your country living,
Heather
Great post – I couldn't agree more, it is so hard to find your voice and keep it once you start on the creative journey. I'm working on that daily. As always, beautiful photos!
Hello Heather,
I listened to the artists Carmen Herrera, Ann Madden,Yayoi Kusama, Toni Morrison and Yoko Ono.I was impressed by their voices, diversity, and approach to their art. Your voice and deep thoughts, certainly change “with time and the confidence that comes with age into somewhere in-between.” It’s wonderful to realize and observe that you are listening more to the inner one.
We had more rain.
Keep warm.
Edgar
Oh, you have to read "Light in the Piazza", Heather. It's wonderful. As I recall, the American family is from Winston-Salem (about 1.5 hours west of here). I was once at a dinner party at which someone asked what it was "about"…..and someone (not me, for once) appallingly replied "Oh, a retarded girl with a rich, bossy mother falls in love with an Italian boy who barely speaks English?".
Everyone fell more than sorta-silent. Someone else at the table (a longtime friend of mine….a former member of the Yale Drama Faculty whom you might have known during your days there) said "Oh, yeah…..and 'Macbeth' is ABOUT the dangers of letting your wife boss you around too much. What a DUMB-ass comment".
My longtime friend doesn't pull punches with fools.
Do read "Light in the Piazza". It's really lovely and subtle.
—-david terry
Well, Vicki….just email me privately at: dt********@*ol.com
I'll give you Elizabeth's actual address (I just telephoned her to ask if that's okay), and you can send a fan-letter to her. No one at any age minds getting more of those lovely things.
By the way?….this little town is CHOCK-A-BLOCK with "Southern" writers…….Allan Gurganus, Lee Smith, Jill McCorkle, Frances Mayes……the list goes on and on before you even start digging into Chapel Hill (which is only twelve miles away).
Someone who knew of the town's reputation, but had only recently (as in, ten minutes previously?) met me, recently asked "OH!!! So, are you a writer, too?". I told her "Ummmm…no, I just type a lot".
That seemed, to me, a sufficiently honest reply.
—–david terry
http://www.davidterryart,com
I consumed, chewed up, dived in, immersed myself in her books when I was young, and now guess what's next on my list? Thanks for the tip on "Starting Over". You will be dining with legends, timbale and all. Cheers and mighty fine artwork sir — you have a site, too 😉
vickielester.com
I have heard your voice and it is very, very lovely!
Oh now, I came so close to putting a little asterisk on that "quote" because I wasn't one hundred percent sure and a search on the net gave me conflicting results ….so thank you, Uncle David. If I can figure out to reword it without not being overly verbose (already not my strong point), I will.
You know the most amazing people. But then again, they are fortunate to have your acquaintance as well. I have always meant to read "Light in the Piazza" and will now. Thank you times two.
Joan, I have to admit that my immediate reaction was the same as David's. And oh, how sorry I am to hear that we have no come farther in our regards to ageism, certainly in the States. I do see here in France that those of "un certain age" are treated as the individuals that they are and not just folks to shuffle off to a retirement facility at the first possible moment. And even in visiting such facilities this past autumn, I was impressed by the importance of families being present and for the residents remaining as active as possible, including in the Alzheimer units. That too strikes me as quite different. Then there are the many countries – the majority! – that you and I have both seen on our travels where the elderly are treated with the utmost respect…I could go on as to why I think that the US is different but will not…
It makes me very angry to think of such a wonderful woman as yourself (not to mention someone that committed their career to serve their country) as being treated in any way other than kindly. I think it also speaks of the general lack of consideration that many (thankfully not all) have for fellow mankind these days…
Well, I certainly hold you in my highest esteem, Joan.