Peri & Post

“Dream within a dream” was the winning artwork by Kim McClinton in an art contest recently hosted by the Peri and Post Menopause Art Group on Fine Art America called “Merry Menopause” .

To find out more about the story behind the winning creation, the artist was interviewed and you can read her responses below.

1. Can you share with us the personal journey and experiences that inspired your winning artwork, ‘Dream within a dream,’ particularly the elements of silver hair, autumn leaves, and the monarch butterfly?

I recently retired from teaching after 23 years. Before that I worked as a photographic retouch artist for 20 years. My time was always dedicated towards others with very little time left for “frivolous” artistic endeavors, the same as many women. When I retired, I was suddenly had more free time than ever before. So, even though my hair is gray, this creative freedom feels like a rebirth, a chance to create a life of beauty.

2. Your artwork is describes as ‘Self-portrait with silver hair, autumn leaves, and a single monarch butterfly.’ How did you decide on these specific elements, and what do they symbolize in the context of your life and the theme of the contest?

These elements were chosen as symbolic of change and the inherent value in each transition. Just as butterflies transform from caterpillars, and leaves display the colors of sunset as they complete their cycle, each stage has its own significance and beauty.

3. The description of your artwork mentions your retirement from teaching and the dedication of a significant amount of time to art. How has this transition influenced your artistic expression, and how did it contribute to the creation of this particular piece?

My educational background is science related, so when I retired, as part of “giving back”, I chose to volunteer at a local nature preserve as a docent leading school field trips. My daily nature walks inspire a huge portion of my art work. This immersion in nature pushes me to see life as fragile yet full in all its stages.

4. The theme of your artwork reflects a sense of gratitude for the beauty and love that surround you, despite the transition into retirement. Can you elaborate on the emotions and sentiments you aimed to convey through your self-portrait, and how these themes relate to the broader concept of menopause and aging?

It’s sad that society has traditionally seen mature women as less than beautiful. I feel like my life is rich and rewarding, empowered with a broader perspective as I have more time to contemplate the nature of the world and life. We, as “queen-agers”, need to throw off societal views and blossom into the butterflies that we are, to find art and enrichment in the smallest of daily endeavors. There is no time except the present, and as the present gets shorter, appreciation gets deeper.

5. ‘Dream within a dream’ suggests a layered and introspective perspective. Could you delve into the symbolism behind the title and how it reflects your perception of life, beauty, and the various stages we go through as individuals?

The title, “A Dream Within a Dream”, was chosen because of a personal evolution of my perspective. The dream-like quality of consciousness that causes me to question the nature of reality. I won’t go much further on that subject because I believe that we are all treading our own personal path, and that is for each of us to define. I’m a sixty-six year old woman with a profound appreciation for beauty, humor, kindness, and love. I hope we all find and hold onto gratitude in the worst of circumstances.

“Thank you again for all the votes for my portrait and your interest in what inspired it.” said Kim McClinton. “Much gratitude for the community of women I have met here.”

View more art by Kim McClinton on her FAA website.

Peri and Post will be hosting several more online contests and an in-person contest is planned for World Menopause Day in Dublin, California.