A Milestone, My 70th Birthday is Sunday, November 16th.

Posted by Skip Allen on

Hey Friends,

Normally, I wouldn’t be writing about something personal, but heck, my 70th birthday…drum roll please…is tomorrow.  I can remember as a kid, I thought 40 was ancient and gosh, nobody hardly made it to 70.  And here I am; it happened so fast.

As you know, I am teaching at DAA in the Holiday Open Studio class; well, I just finished my week.  I taught calligraphy in Corel Painter.  Since it is my 70th…drum roll please, and I am practicing calligraphy, I thought I would make a birthday greeting for myself.  Sounds sad doesn’t it…poor baby has to make his own card.

The first thing I did was compose the verse.  I enjoyed that.  I’m not a writer and I struggled with the last line, but I like the sentiment.  I don’t view 70 as the end but continuing the journey.  There is always a new block to explore.

Photography is my next exploration.  OK, I have taken photographs for a while, bought a number of camera and lenses, but never really learned to take pictures other than point and shoot.  I am going to spend some time with my camera and learn a few things.  I bought a new camera that is way too fancy, so I have a lot to learn.  I know you want to know what I bought…it is a Nikon D810…and I think it is pretty slick.

But, I digress.  I was telling you about my birthday greeting that I made for myself.  Elaina is teaching the second week of Holiday Open Studio.  Her class is about making a blackboard card for the Holidays.  I figured a black card would be perfect for my 70th…drum roll please.  So I started making my black image.  I created a nifty brush to do the calligraphy and I was ready to start.  The blackboard idea had lots of texture in it, and that made my letters look funny.  So I abandoned the blackboard, but kept the image black.

Keeping it black and slick is a mistake.  It now looks like the text screen at a silent movie.  Oh right, you guys don’t remember those.  Well, take my word for it.

This is a long lead to this silly image.  I hope you like it.

My birthday greeting to myself:

Birthday Greeting to myself, done in Corel Painter 2015, using one of my custom brushes.

Birthday Greeting to myself, done in Corel Painter 2015, using one of my custom brushes.

Happy Thanksgiving to the Americans…

Enjoy,

Skip

 

138 responses to “A Milestone, My 70th Birthday is Sunday, November 16th.”


  1. Happy Birthday SKIP! You are such a life-affirming presence to all of us who follow you and appreciate the information and — yes — the love and kindness you convey in your video tutorials and info updates.
    I think you did a fine job with the verse AND the card — even though it DOES look like a silent movie text screen. But, that’s rather cool. LOL.

    I hope you won’t need to have a wrist replaced after replying to so many well-wishers.

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  2. Happy Birthday Skip: Reminds me of a 90 year old golfer who routinely shot his age. After a bad round his comment was” oh to be 75 again.” ever thing is relative. You have many more good years-enjoy that great camera.

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  3. That’s a hoot Jack. I’m not sure I would ever want to go backwards…although a better golf game is tempting. Of course the last time I played a round of golf would have been in the 70s I believe. 🙂

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  5. Happy Birthday Skip. You are my very favorite 70 year old person. 70 is the new 50. Have a great day

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  6. Well, can you hear the drum roll: da da da da tada! Congratulations on accomplishing your 3 score years and ten! Now the rest is your bonus. May it be long and happy ! Productive too… All the best, Skip. Carol

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  10. Happy, happy birthday dear Skip! We are so fortunate to have you with us these past few years. I hope you’ll continue to stay well and happy and continue share your talent , knowledge and humor for many years to come. Love the calligraphy, the poem and I understand the intent of the color choice, but I think of you in a more colorful way. 😉

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  13. Happy Birthday Skip! You have taught me so much. I’m not far behind you in age, and I love having a job doing photoshop and painter. Thank you for all your help. Love, Susie

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  14. Thank you very much Mr. You are a great inspiration for many, and knowing that you are not stopping but starting new journeys is one more reason to admire you. In a good way, as a human, as a example of what we can do. Thank you very much. Respectfully, Marco.

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    • That gave me a chuckle…do you think they are High kicks? Thanks for a smile. BTW, I have visited the Mythic Kitchen and enjoyed it. I wish you would post more often. LOL…I wish I would post more often, too. Thanks again.

      Reply

  18. Hi Skip. I love your birthday greeting to self. My aunt is turning 70 and I wondered if it would be ok to use your greeting and quote you? I think she would appreciate your sentiment.

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    • Hi Carly,
      What a lovely request. Yes you may use the greeting…I don’t really care if you quote me, but do tell your aunt Happy Birthday from me and that this year has been wonderful for me. I hope she has a wonderful year, too. Hugs to her, Skip

      Reply

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