About Us
Richard Matzkin
I have lived a creative life.
As a child, I was immersed in visual arts. My natural talent earned me awards and scholarships to Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles. However, I completely lost interest in art as I began to pursue a career as a jazz drummer, being fortunate enough to have been able to play with some of the jazz and blues greats. Meanwhile, I completed my education in the early ’60s, earned a master’s degree, and began a career as a psychotherapist and group leader.
I spent years studying with a spiritual master in India and the United States. My interest in art revived when Alice enrolled me in a clay sculpture class. From that day onward I began to produce figurative sculptures with ease and without reference to models or photographs.
In the past 12 years, my passion for writing allowed me to become a published, award-winning author.
Richard has participated in numerous one-man and group shows and has pieces in collections throughout the United States. He was also a key artist in a monumental equestrian sculpture in a Ventura County train station.
Richard was honored as a Ventura County artist by FOCUS ON THE MASTERS, where his work was cataloged and archived for future generations. He has also been a member of the OJAI STUDIO ARTISTS since 1994. (Now Retired)
A former therapist, men's group leader, Adjunct Instructor in the California Community College system, meditation instructor in the Siddha Yoga lineage, Director of a court-mandated treatment program for domestic violence, and Program Director of a psychiatric hospital, Richard holds a Master's Degree in Psychology.
Richard and Alice were selected by the National Center For Creative Aging as one of 10 Beautiful Minds in a national campaign that celebrates individuals 55 and older who are keeping their minds beautiful (and their bodies healthy).
Shocked by their aging bodies, Richard and Alice explored their fear and curiosity about growing older through Alice's paintings and his sculptures, the wisdom of elders, and the written word. Together, they created the dual award-winning art and inspirational book, THE ART OF AGING: Celebrating The Authentic Aging Self.
Moved by his magnificent 41-year marriage to Alice, Richard wrote another dual award-winning book, LOVING PROMISES: The Master Class For Creating Magnificent Relationship. He used their partnership as a living laboratory to research the elements that comprise a truly loving, magnificent relationship.
Inspired by the changing times, Richard wrote the book, MANIFESTO: A Call To Men To Become Warriors For Kindness. This is a beautifully illustrated poetic essay that calls for men of goodwill to address the greedy, uncaring actions of men whose inability to love is causing pain and suffering in the world. It challenges us to take on the essential, life-changing work of opening our own hearts to love.
BECOMING LOVE-ABLE: How A Man Can Become A More Loving Partner is a reworking of LOVING PROMISES from a male perspective using the interest, language, and understanding of men.
LOVE and TIME: Embracing Change, Growth And Mature Relationships In The Winter Of Life. This book explores, from many different angles, the powerful influence of the passage of time on a person's life and relationships. Richard wrote this as he was entering his eighties.
Alice Matzkin
Born November 18, 1939, into a family of artists and writers, my gift for painting was passed on to me. I have received no formal education in art.
For as long as I can remember, painting and drawing have been my love.
After a 22 year hiatus from painting while raising our son and daughter, I returned with a passion for my paints and canvas. We moved to the country where we share a peaceful and loving life and a beautiful studio.
It is from this inspiring place that Richard and I created the dual award-winning book, THE ART OF AGING: Celebrating the Authentic Self. Shocked by our aging bodies, we both explored our fear and curiosity about growing older through my paintings, Richard's sculptures, the wisdom of elders, and the written word.
In 2017, the Thomas Fire raged through our valley and sadly burned the storage building that housed most of my paintings and drawings. I feel sadness about the loss, but gratitude for the blissful experience of creating them and meeting such amazing people who allowed me to paint their image. Fortunately, our house and most of our land were miraculously spared.
After a period of gestation during and after the Covid Pandemic, I stopped painting portraits and totally different art began. Abstract art began to emerge spontaneously. I call the work, "Painting In Tongues: Emanations Of A Mindless Mind.
CONGRESSIONAL CLUB,
WASHINGTON, D.C., 1997
Alice was commissioned to paint a portrait of Chelsea Clinton, which was presented to Mrs. Clinton at a charity luncheon, and hung in the private quarters of the White House during the Clinton administration, and now resides in their bedroom.
THIS PAINTING HUNG IN THE WHITE HOUSE DURING THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION AND NOW HANGS IN THEIR BEDROOM IN NEW YORK. 1997
OPRAH WINFREY SHOW - May 2001
It featured a discussion by Alice talking about getting older with acceptance and grace. There is a focus upon the collection of paintings and interviews from the 'WOMEN OF AGE, Portraits in Wisdom, Beauty & Strength" exhibit. This appeared in the "Remembering Your Spirit" segment of the show.
NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY, SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
THE STRUGGLE FOR JUSTICE - July 2006 to present
Portrait of Betty Friedan hanging in this permanent exhibition.
INTERNATIONAL GALLERY,
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION,
AMERICAN WOMEN
The painting of Beatrice Wood at 100 is among 70 paintings of famous women from Pocahontas to Jacqueline Kennedy. This exhibition travelled for one year to Columbia Museum of Art, Columbia, South Carolina - Naples Museum of Art, Naples Florida - George Bush Presidential Library -
College Station Texas.
UNITED NATIONS - During the International Year of Older Persons, a video was screened of paintings and interviews from the Women of Age series depicting women over 70 years old who were living their lives with passion and purpose.
MARQUIS WHO'S WHO IN AMERICAN ART - Selected for this biographical hardcover directory of noteworthy individuals in the visual arts community in the United States. They are the preeminent publisher of biographical information since 1899.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR CREATIVE AGING - 2012
Selected as one of 10 "Beautiful Minds" in a national campaign that celebrates individuals 55 and older who are keeping their minds beautiful.
TWO BOOK AWARDS - 2010 - THE ART OF AGING:
CELEBRATING THE AUTHENTIC AGING SELF
Independent Publisher Book Award - (Bronze IPPY) - Nautilus Award (Silver Medal)
BOOK - THE ART OF AGING: Celebrating the Authentic Aging Self. Art/Inspirational book Published June 2009, Sentient Publications. Artwork and written material by Alice and Richard Matzkin.
MS MAGAZINE - October/November 2000 - The full collection of paintings from NAKED TRUTH were featured.
OJAI STUDIO ARTISTS Member since 1994. (now inactive)