The best way to think about birthdays is in terms of accomplishments and the future. Think of your achievements in your art and in your business. Consider the pleasure that you give to so many with your paintings. Your relationship with Ruth is certainly a positive aspect of your life. Then think of what you plan to do in the next few months. Perhaps you have some large paintings in mind. Have dinner out with Ruth in Bedoin or some other place you like. You look wonderful in this painting. Bali has obviously been a magical journey for you. The paintings you did there reflected new explorations in your technique.
Enjoy Life!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a lovely portrait.
You're just entering the prime of your life.
My thought on aging is this - don't considering yourself old before your time, or you'll be old for a very long time.
You are perfect. Your paintings took me through an apartment-bound knee heeling, and your spirit and art give me hope.
Maybe not every day, that's a pressure. Maybe another mode of delivery.
But I've never had such a lovely internet connection.
Since I don't know you and I have to make dinner now and I appreciate you so much, I'm signing off.
(This is definitely the weirdest thing I've ever participated in.)
Karen
Who IS that masked man? OK, I have to say it; you look in a lot better condition than I did when I was 52; but then, you're the one holding the brush! Of course, artistic license would never intrude ... would it? I'm with Randy above ... at 69, I still love life. Bring on the birthdays and enjoy every one of them. Happy birthday.
Bob
Western Australia
52 is the real beginning. I am 79 and only now begin to feel I can paint. Happy birthday ! You have the best years ahead of you, and the best red wines and food to keep you healthy and wise.
Heureux !!
happy birthday, julian, from a fellow piscean who will turn 78 on sunday. never thought i'd live so long, life is full of surprises. one of the best was finding your paintings and ruths blog. thank you both for making my life richer these past years. grace
Celebrate your birthday! It is your special day. Congratulations. And thank you for the joy you bring us through your remarkable paintings. They warm my heart. I love your still lifes and landscapes so much. But the faces you paint, especially yours, are particularly revealing, in a good way.
I can see from the other comments that I am not the only one who is inspired, thankful, and uplifted by your art. Your paintings are amazing.
Wishing you many happy returns on your birthday, Julian!
Happy birthday, Julian! Thank you for being such a gracious soul and for continuing to bring me a gift every day. Your self portrait is beautiful!
Marilyn
If I could paint one tenth as well as you Julian, it would considerably soften the blow of being fiftysomething... many happy returns - a year ago on my birthday your work inspired me to ask for oil paints as my gifts. This year - who knows? you might inspire me to actually use them.....
You look thinner - the break in Bali has chiselled your face into a more conventional handsome-ness. In this representation, you look more like the stereotypical 'artist' than we have seen before.
With gravitas.
I have a wonderful little book called. "It's never too late" full of interesting thoughts and quotations. You may like this one....It's never too late....to grow old disgracefully.
You are as old as your mind,not the calender. Make each day a new day. Refuse to relive old days (not sure I agree with that). Make bold plans. Set new personal bests. Journey into the unknown with abandon.
I asked myself the same question at 52, when my years equaled the number of weeks in the year and now I am 59 and I still have no answer but the time continues to accelerate. Great job of introspection but melancholy. Like Rembrandt's later self portraits. I have never done one for I fear the results of seeing myself as I may truly be. Thank you.
Take solace in the fact that you seem be following Thomas More's advice in your quest to perfect your painting skills:
"The secret of life is to have a task, something you bring everything to, every minute of the day for your whole life. And the most important thing is: it must be something you cannot possibly do."
As jeffrey, I think of Rembrandt about of the thought process of Julian,their incredible sincerity in front of the mirror, until the ultimate instant. Yes,I "blindly" agree with Jeffrey, "great job of introspection but melancholy".
Happy Birthday Julian! Hope you live to be a 100yrs and continue to share your beautiful paintings with the world . They are uplifting and inspiring. x
Happy birthday, Julian. Since I only know you through your work, I have been a bystander, a witness to your growth as an artist. Since I'm a wee bit older than you are, I can safely say that I think it will only keep getting better. So, keep painting! That's the best advice that I could give you (as a reminder to myself). You have done some splendid work along the way and should continue to forge ahead.
comments from 45 of your fans already....couldnt we get the comments up to 52 so julian has one for each year of his life and each week of the year...so he can look back and see how much he is admired....gfs
48 Comments