I was doing a bit of research on Google recently, and found this question in the ‘people also asked’ section:
“Is 30 too late to start making art?”
My heart actually squeezed with a mix of sadness and indignation {maybe a little outrage} on behalf of anyone asking this.
What kind of world do we live in where 30 is too old for anything, or where ANY age could be deemed too old to be making art?
Or … maybe let’s not open that can of worms! 🪱
Instead, let’s talk about how there IS no ‘too old’ when it comes to art.
👩🏼🎨 Grandma Moses famously started painting in her late 70s – her career lasted two decades.
👩🏼🎨 The appropriately named Dr Nell Irvin Painter wrote a memoir titled ‘Old in Art School’, about getting her BFA and MFA in her 60s.
👩🏼🎨 Henri Rousseau taught himself to paint at age 40. {And his work was rejected, a lot.} He didn’t start painting full time till he was 49.
👩🏼🎨 Mary Granville Delany invented mixed media collage aged 71. In the 1700s.
Yes, these are famous examples, but there are millions of others out there that we don’t hear about.
I know this because I get emails from some of them!
Most of the people who feel drawn to my work tend to be in their 40s and over. Many are retired.
I get emails from artists in their 70s and 80s telling me they’re finally giving time to their art.
{These emails are often full of joy.🤩}
There is no too late.
When we feel the call, that’s a sign that something wants to be expressed, and that something is a part of who we are.
When we don’t express it, not only can it damage our own self esteem, capacity for joy, and sense of connection.
It shuts the door on the many benefits others receive when we take the courageous step of acting on that call.
If you haven’t made any art for a long time, whether that’s a year or decades {or ever}, I created a gentle re-entry option for you, as a way to dust off the brushes, build your confidence, and encourage you to step through the door marked ‘you, as an artist’. 🚪👩🏼🎨
“I never seemed to have time for creativity, and was always putting it off; I see now it was because of an underlying fear. Now I’m giving it time and space in my life; I’m less critical about my work, it’s more fun and I look forward to the experience rather than dreading it.
Tara’s video lessons were amazing! Loved watching her at work and learnt so much about the process giving me permission to try new things myself. Great teacher, great course ~ you are encouraged to try things in a safe environment.”
Janet
It’s called Fresh Start, and for $7 a month you get:
🎨 The Artist’s Starter Kit – to help you get the basics in place
🎨 Creative Spark – a self paced course that guides you through different ways to approach making art
🎨 Monthly Q&A videos, in which I go deep answering your questions
🎨 A weekly artist tip email to give you a boost & help you stay on track
🎨 A discount on one to one sessions with me
Fresh Start is designed to be a light touch, non overwhelming invitation back into your art – with just enough guidance and support baked in to help you get started … and keep going.
The doors to your Fresh Start are open – find out more and get started by clicking the yellow button!
