You're Not Too Late to Become an Artist: Here's Why

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Are you worried it's too late for you to start drawing or painting? Have you always wanted to spend more time developing your art skills, but fear you're too old to begin a new creative endeavor? 
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​It’s never too late to be whoever you want to be. You can change or stay the same. There’s no time limit.

​– F. Scott Fitzgerald
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In a world that celebrates youth and fast success, it’s easy to feel discouraged if you haven’t reached your goals or done "great" things early in life. 

The reality is that, for a lot of us, life and other priorities get in the way of personal projects.

Financial responsibilities and jobs, having kids or family members to take care of, and dealing with health challenges, are all completely valid reasons why so many of us set aside delving deeper into our art journeys until later in life. 

And, to be honest, even younger people who do have the time and resources to start their art practice early set it aside because of self-doubt, limiting beliefs and resistance. 

Whatever your personal reason is for starting your art practice later in life, what matters is that you're here now. 

It is time to finally pay attention to that little voice that has been telling you to create art for so long. 

No matter your age, if you commit to your art practice now, you can develop your skills in whichever area you desire to grow in. 


It's never too late to start.

In this blog post and the video below, I explain key advantages that you have over younger artists which will help you progress faster, provide examples of artists who started much later in life and share practical tips that will help you enjoy your journey more. 

If you enjoyed this video and found it helpful, make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel. I share a brand new video every week with art tips, drawing and painting tutorials and mindset/productivity tips for artists. *Subscribe HERE*
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Why Age is an Advantage, Not a Barrier

Here’s the truth: starting later in life can actually be a huge advantage when it comes to being an artist.

Here’s why:

• You know yourself better: The life experiences you’ve gathered over the years can deeply inspire and inform your art, allowing you to find your unique style more quickly than you would have when you were younger.
• Financial stability: If you're in a better financial position than when you were younger, you can invest in quality supplies, courses, and other resources that help you grow as an artist.
• More time to focus: Once major life responsibilities—like raising children or building a career—begin to ease, you may find yourself with more time to dedicate to developing your art skills. ​

Even if you’re still juggling work, caregiving, or other commitments, carving out just 15 minutes a day to work on your craft can lead to significant progress over time.

​Consistency is key.

Artists Who Found Success Later in Life

If you ever doubt that it’s too late to pursue your dreams, remember these artists who started—or found success—well into their later years:

• Claude Monet: Didn’t develop his signature style until after the age of 40.
• Grandma Moses: Began painting seriously at 78 and found success in her 80s.
• Edward Hopper: Sold his first painting in his 30s and struggled financially until his 40s.
• Wassily Kandinsky: Switched careers from law to painting at age 30, gaining international recognition in his 40s.
• Paul Cézanne: Gained accolades in his 40s and had his first solo show at 56.
• Lisa Congdon: Began her successful art career at age 40, and is now an acclaimed artist and author.

 
These artists serve as proof that the time it takes to truly develop as an artist varies for everyone—and age is no barrier to creative success.



Lessons From My Own Journey

I’m just a few months away from turning 39, and it’s taken me years to reach the point where I can make a consistent, sustainable income from my art.

Even though I’ve known since I was young that art was my passion, fear of failure and societal expectations kept me working in jobs that drained me mentally and physically for a long time. 

It wasn’t until my 30s that I began taking real steps toward building a career around my art. It took years to build up savings for myself and feel confident to work only part-time while continuing to build my business on the side. 

I talk more about my journey and how I finally was able to make a full living through my art in this video.

It took a lot of courage, planning, and time to get to where I am today.

But I’m grateful for all the jobs I worked and the experiences I gained, because they all contributed to my growth as an artist and helped me invest in my future.

Even though it took me way longer than other artists to finally make a living from my work, I now know that I had to go through those experiences in order to develop needed skills, to find myself, and to reach success. 


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Practical Tips for Older Artists Starting Their Journey

If you’re thinking about diving into art later in life, here are a few tips that can help you thrive:

• Start small, stay consistent: Even 15 minutes of art a day can lead to massive improvements over time.
• Use your life experiences: Everything you’ve been through can inspire your art and help you find your unique voice faster.
• Invest in yourself: If you’re financially stable, use it to buy quality supplies and take courses to improve your skills.
• Embrace your journey: Don’t compare your path to younger artists or those with more experience. Focus on your own growth and enjoy the process. You're exactly where you're meant to be. ​

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The Journey is the Reward

Ultimately, art is not about rushing to create masterpieces or reaching success as fast as possible. It’s about the growth, self-discovery, and healing that happens along the way.

​Whether you’re 40, 60, or 80, there’s no deadline for creativity.

If you’re feeling that tug to create—listen to it. You're feeling this way for a reason!

​You’re the main character in your story, and this is your time to shine.


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What are your thoughts? 

​I’d love to hear your experiences and reflections in the comments below.

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