"Am I too old to become more creative?" 

Well, I am certainly NOT too old at 67. 😂😂🤣I opened my 2 studios (glass engraving & graphic art) when I was 62 and just today finished renovating them so I could split the main art studio into an art and music studio! I've been slowly acquiring instruments & equipment and the electronic drum set arrives today! YAY! I am so super excited! Thanks so much, Louise, for making these videos! My advice to older creatives like me - free yourself from "adulthood" - learn how to play like a child again. Play with ideas, and dreams, and set your imagination free. Be fearless about trying new creative things. Support your self-esteem by not comparing yourself to others. Go within, find that inner child and give it all the emotional and material support it requires - SPOIL yourself with love and things that spark joy! ❤🧡💛💚💙💜

Good God, no!! I got a degree at 52, started a tutoring business at 55 and a second one, writing for teachers two years later. I now earn more than I ever have. I’m just about to publish my spooky stories for kids book. Please, don’t ever let age stop you from reaching your potential 😊 I’m 62 now (apparently) 😮

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER too old. I started creating last year, aged 58...it is such FUN!!!!

I’m 65 and about to start a Master of Visual Arts. I’m a little nervous however I’m pushing any negativity aside, taking a deep breath and just plunging into a new and more creative life💥 ❤️🌟🌻💐

I'm a professional artist who has only been showing my art since 2014. This far, the journey has been fabulous. I'll be 69 next month.💚💚

I am 89 years young and it seems to me, that the older I am become, the more creative I am becoming! I started when I was around mid 50! Since then i have taken many university art courses, in preforming art, and then visual art! I love painting and it’s creativity! So, never give up!

As an old fart, social media feels like a place I not only feel uncomfortable on but also unwelcome in a way. Vlogs, studio tours, packing order etc etc is a space dominated by the young'uns, and I love them and their energy.... but some days it I am so painfully aware that this energy does not match mine. I am older, slower and less keen to show up on camera. Finding like-minded folk can be tricky as we are less visible online. So I treasure videos like yours, thank you.

My friend and Dutch watercolour master Kees van Aalst is 90, and he still find ways to make new art. So creativity is something you can have lots of it or like me not much but just enough.

Well said! New artists starting a second act in their lives often worry whether they are at a disadvantage starting later, or learning through self-direction rather than formal education. Never underestimate the skills, knowledge, emotional and intellectual depth that comes only through life experience. And (let's be honest), those artists also usually have wealth reserves, a network of contacts, and habits of discipline that are huge assets in artistic pursuits.

Thank you Louise. I'm 50 and to be honest, I feel guilty for devoting my time and energy to Art. And it's a shame. I feel brainwashed by the productivity cults. But as a father of 3 I think it's important for my boys to see their pop study and work on his craft for the joy of it. I love your approach. Thanks for your insights.

I am not too old at 73. All you need to look around my surroundings, nature, for inspiration. I believe your wrong on the point of not being born creative, your are born with the different talents- gifts from God. You are given the desire to full fill your gift. Yes, study, practice are a requirement to accomplish the desire of your gift/ TALENT.

I “restarted” my art journey about a year ago (painting with watercolor, mixed media…). At 67, I’m a retired journalist, current freelance photographer, gardener, artist, crafter, etc. Surprisingly I found my creative mojo by making handcrafted greeting cards, monoprint pieces, working in detailed coloring books and the like. That promoted me to dive into watercolor and the rest is yet to be discovered. In my 30s and 40s I was deep into counted cross stitch while I raised my three children. But when I hit 40, the dreaded Presbyopia made its appearance and I abandoned my needlecraft like an old sock. Anyway, here I am wearing bifocals, splitting my time between gardening, painting and crafting, and submitting my spare hours to a very demanding little parrot. And I LOVE it!

I am 39 on October 13th... I quit my IT programming job because I wanted to be an illustrator... Now I am in college for Drawing and Illustration, and I am constantly doubting myself. It's difficult to keep myself encouraged when there's so many good artists in the world. I now wonder, if I made a mistake, but I am staying committed to this journey and giving it everything I have to give. Still, I walk with doubt in my heart every step of every day. I have panic attacks when someone wishes to see my sketchbook or sees me drawing. This video was helpful, but still I doubt if I will ever amount to anything as an artist.

Hi Louise, thanks for this video, I too am 67 years old, retired and living in a small rural town in Victoria, Australia. I have dabbled in various creative projects over the years, and have many that I'm currently working on....but one goal is sitting there waiting for inspiration. I bought a digital piano, years ago, and haven't been able to get started on the learning process. I found your video inspiring and reassuring (and, I have to say I found your voice very soothing). Thank you.

My grandmother started painting at 75. She has now been practicing for 15 years :) She also was immediately good at it. I suspect this is because it was meant purely as a pass-time, so no pressure from a result-oriented mindset to ruin the process.

Hello Louise! I know I’m still young at 24 going into 25 but, this video really makes me feel that I haven’t lost my way and I should keep going and that I know how to put practice and making it fun for me.

I am in age of 60s,& I love your way you guide to art and push for it. belive me you're different, I love your way of narattion.

Please don't remove this video ever. Please. I need to watch this EVERY Single Day for the rest of my life.

Hi Louise I started at 56…and nope not changed my mind working as as artist to my heart’s content so thanks 🙏 for your video….this is now my life and it will end the day I breathe my last breath. Really looking forward to that last breath to see how far I got. My previous years I have spent regrettably and grudgingly doing things that I really did not enjoy. Covid was bad but it kicked me into looking at life so that I learn to live and not be grudgingly live like many. Hence I watched a lot of videos on RU-vid sometimes I felt like I was procrastinating but to day listening to you I think it was time well spent. So this is to say " THANK YOU " to all the artist that podcast or RU-vid videos broadcast, you are my gurus and I am forever undated to you All. 😊❤

Questions like this are so silly. No, it’s never too late. NEVER TOO LATE.

I've recently gone through this and the best and biggest lesson I learned is art is so personal even the journey can't be adequately measured against society's standards. In short, art doesn't exist in a vacuum. It's never too late.

that is a gorgeous bird! the wings look great and never too old to learn a new skill, ok maybe not a good idea to take up wresting at a really old age, might end up dislocating a hip😝

What a positive message :) Grandma Moses started painting in earnest at 78 :) Do what you love even if it is cutting out paper dolls :) Thank you, Louise :)

Never too old to give into your passion! Good topic choice for this video :D

YOUR NEVER TO OLD!!!!😄😄😄

I don't think anyone is ever too old to learn something new or do something new. I am now 53, I started doing art back in my early teens, but basically got separated from it because of doing the real work thing, which kinda allowed me to be creative (design drafting), and then eventually it turned into technical writing, which now is only technical editing if you can even call it that, so I wanted something more, and I got an idea one day coming home from traveling from work, on a plane no less, I bought some art supplies and my first couple of paintings came ouf of that. I am still relearning things, and hopefully it will eventually all come together and maybe I can do this full time at some point.

Thank you so much for this, Louise. I'm now 42 and had not too long embarked on my creative journey at 39 after being made redundant from my corporate job. I had spent almost 2 decades there and with this new career path, it feels more like home and more like myself. I'm still trying to strengthen my foundation and learn as much as I can. I'm very fortunate to have met so many wonderful creatives who so generously share their knowledge, and skills and at times, even an ear to listen ☺I do question myself every now and then if I am too old to be doing this, but when I see what I have achieved so far and how supportive this community is, I am comforted knowing that, what I am doing now, not only is able to inspire and encourage others creatively but also to follow their heart and to be brave to do so. Thank you very much for this, Louise ☺

I agree it's never too late! A couple of really famous artists like Rembrandt and Michelangelo didn't do their best work until they were well into old age because they kept going and were always seeking to learn more and kept working.

I was just asking myself the question of, "am I too old to pick up my paintbrush again?" and your video pops up in my feed. Thank you for the inspiration I needed to keep going. 🥰🎨🖌

I am 53 and finally now my dream comes true. The most important trust yourself and practice don´t pay attention to what your entourage think about your art you must understand they are not in the same journey as you. For myself I come from marketing and it helps me a lot to develop my art business. Each experience is like a piece you add to your puzzle. The most important is the personal discipline you create in order to be creative. My figure is Jean-Mcichel Basquiat. Thank you for this video.

Oh was I listening to a beautiful melody? Or a soothing song? Your words felt like music to my ears. So soothing and reassuring! I am 54 and want to re-ignite my interest in drawing and maybe painting that I so enjoyed back in school. Thanks for sharing such a lovely video. ❤🙏

Thanks for the tips! Im currently trying to figure out my own art journey and foraying into RU-vid! ❤

It's never too late! Just make time for yourself.

Me watching the video: "it's going out of the line, no... yes the paint will go out the line... ohh no she controlled it so well" 😝 Good video 💟

Away from the main topic, ur voice and ur accent make me feel comfort ♥!

Always grateful when I discover new artists who have inspiring words to offer. A thousand thanks from a new subscriber.

Louise, I am enthralled watching you paint! Your voice - and the words you choose to speak - soothe my ruffled feathers so well that I watch many of your videos multiple times, just to remind myself that these ways of communicating and expressing myself (RU-vid, Newsletter, Courses, etc) are available to me, too, and that I can learn the skills I need in order to provide value and quality to hopefully help others, as you help me. 😊 Your latest Newsletter was particularly potent for me as I read it this morning, and I was equally glad to see this new video from you. Likewise Highly Sensitive, Multi-Passionate, and sometimes overwhelmed, I am keen to see how you stay balance and ‘share your life’ within your boundaries and time limitations. These aspects of how we sometimes think everything we try is garbage, yet find a way to move through that until we’re back to ourselves… so helpful. These suggestions you give are things I’ve been thinking about as well - how to get started, how to overcome that fear - I’ve been thinking that other beginners might benefit from seeing what the beginning is like; the brainstorming, fits & starts, and so on. Ah, but do any of us *really* want to show how messy our messes can be? Not me! Ha ha! Anyway, you get me thinking and creating when I feel stuck. Thanks!!

Encouraging and also practical! Perfect combination. Thank you for sharing, and thank you for acknowledging different art-forms. I’m so happy I found your channel through this video! Subscribed!

As Kristin Chenoweth once said: Talent never ages.

it's not just art. I started running in my late 40's and ran my first marathon in my 50's. at 59 I did a 5 day 100 mile and 30,000 meter adventure in the mountains I'm now 63 and working on new goals. Oh, and I started painting two years ago. Since I have more time, I can allow myself to be creative or whatever I want. As opposed to those busy years

Thank you Louise 🙏 I also love painting birds and am enjoying your Skillshare class🥰 I am so curious about the bird artist that you mentioned! Could you share his name and can I find him on the internet?

Great words of advice..love it so much as I've always been a creative person, from kid crafts to sewing and now watercolor artist and loving the relaxation I receive in every piece I create. Thanks for sharing.

This is a great video. I’m a new subscriber. I wholeheartedly agree that folks shouldn’t see their age as a deterrent for growing their creativity. I’m 51 years old, I’m in a metal band that signed our second record deal in 2019, I love to do woodworking projects, watercolor painting, drawing, digital art and I recently opened up a custom guitar building business. It’s NEVER too late!

Age is nothing. Do art for fun not to win competitions. You will love it more this way.

Hey...I have been looking for someone who can give me trust for my hidden artistic soul...and you just did it...thank you for sharing such wonderful thoughts about art and age ...I would like to learn from you....

Bottom line: If you feel creative get creative and be creative for no one but yourself, then experience deep, abiding joy.

Well this was so lovely to watch and listen to! Thank you, Louise

I think that talent for certain things is inherited.In my family I'm sure it was.I have become more creative in my 60s since I'm challenging myself in my job doing art therapy with memory care people.I've also learned a lot from a few of the senior artists who I work with They all have more patience than I have.Just watching them work really inspires me and it makes me happy to see them smiling and enjoying themselves.

@Art By Louise this video is just wonderful. What a gift you've put out there ❤️ just so beautiful.

I don't believe it's ever too late to become more creative. (But I'm a professional artist, and have been doing art in one way or another since I was a kid). My Mom was always nurturing and encouraging, but no encouragement from any relatives (only was dismissed about it). I mention relatives, because they were always around or visiting. 🙄 But I always "KNEW" I was an artist and highly creative, and was determined to follow that path no matter what. I think to continue to expose your mind to other types of art, and to learn new skillsets, will keep you inspired. Draw, paint and use other mediums every day. Use a simple, inexpensive sketchbook or (even a binder or folder to hold individual sheets of copy paper or watercolor paper), and use it DAILY. Commit yourself to it so it becomes natural for you (I hate to use the word habit, as it sounds a little negative). And think about these sketchbooks/binders as a fun, experimental place to EXPLORE your creativity. FUN is the keyword! I think that it is very important to improve your skillsets in your choice of media, because it will not only help build your confidence, but it will let yourself open doors to the next level of skills that you may want to attain, BUT the real key here, especially in the beginning of your artistic journey, is to have FUN with it, or you will just end up disillusioned and disinterested and will drop your creative pursuits! As you learn more, and experience more with a variety of media, (and you keep it fun), you will stimulate your creative juices, and be more open to a variety of artistic pursuits. Try all the media you can, like try drawing a simple still life study of some object you find interesting, and take a few pages to do simple studies of it from different angles, using different media on each page! As an example, one one page do a few sketches in pencil, the next page, try a ballpoint pen, the next page, a try micron or multiliner type pens (you can buy a whole set, an 8-pack on Amazon for under $9, or try color pencils, markers, etc. You don't need expensive drawing tools or paper. Think of these works you do in your sketchbooks, copy paper, etc., as STUDIES. No one else has to see them, the art does not have to be "perfect". Freeing yourself from the idea of each drawing or painting having to be perfect, will allow you to spread your creative wings. In fact, although I do art for a living, I draw out quick thumbnail sketches in whatever I have on hand. Usually the back of an envelope! 😂 I have some really cheap-o sketchbooks for when I want to draw out a bunch of thumbnail sketches for a project that is large, or has a lot of moving parts (like lots of items that are going to be related visually), and I want to test out the basic style or theme I want to do the project in). Then I have more specialized sketchbooks with the right kind of paper to handle multimedia, markers, and wet media, like watercolor and designer's gouache. Tip: I can't say enough about using toned paper! Have fun (and even learn how to render values more proficiently), when working on toned paper. It's awesome! Sketchbooks come in all sizes, and usually there is both a warm-tone and a cool-tone choice of paper inside. Since the mid tone is the value of the paper, you just use your choice of dry media (like graphite pencils, color pencils, charcoal pencils, pens, etc), and draw in the dark and light values. I have seen lots of beautiful and inspiring works done using toned paper, on the internet and Instagram. Just do a search for "art on toned paper". I'm sure there is lots on RU-vid also. Then you can watch how people use the toned paper

Hello Louise, this is perfect. Just what I needed, after feeling discouraged in my own art pursuits. Yup, I have been comparing myself with others, again. Ouch! I agree with a great part of what you are saying here. However, after 58 years of "have to's" "should's" "supposed to's", I do not want another one, especially with something i am naturally drawn to. Actually, just the opposite. I need to learn to be free. Not put more rules on myself. In my case, there's no problem about practicing. I have nothing better to do. Ha, ha. Plus, I feel pulled towards art. I have a desire to create. But, in my case, having a structure, rules, procedures would only backfire. I believe that i will reach within and find my talent if i practice freedom. No schedule, no structure, no journals (unless I am drawn to it, and, except for my notes on "how to" do certain things, so that i don't forget) no rules, no procedure, just "follow the breadcrumbs of joy." Actually, I just finished 8 years of a spiritual journey where I filled many journals. Ha, ha. I need to learn how to be free. I need to let go of trying to control everything. I believe that letting go of control is the way to the real talent hidden within. By the way, I love the titles of your recommended books. I will check them out. Thank you again. You are helping so many, many people.

thank you, Louise. You are definite inspirations to us older beginners. That journal advise is especially relevant to me.

I love this magpie! For some reason I love watercolour images of birds 🥰 this channel is a good place for me

Thank you so much for this video 💜💜💜💜

Never too old to be creative. I'm 52 and learning new crafts all the time. I love staying Creative. I learned how to crochet about 10 years ago. Still learning. Learning other crafts too. It's fun to learn new crafts and talents. I just learned about Zentangle/Doodle art a few years ago. Loving it and still learning it..

Beautiful words. And beautiful video! Thank You 🌸

The answer to this question is easy. You are what you think. If you think you’re too old for anything, you are. If you think your age is just a number, then the skies the limit. This is YOUR LIFE, not a rehearsal. The World wants to hear from YOU!! Get out there and Give ‘em Hell!!❤🎉

Thank you! This is very inspiring. The words are really right. Everyone has their own path, and their own unique and unique experience. Previously, I often guested why I didn’t scold something before and came to this only now. But now I understand what it means to be so. ❤️

I am new your channel and I must say this was such wonderful advice! I will check out your Skillshare class as well...beautiful painting!

Thanks. I needed to hear this.

The Courage To Create is a good book for beginners.

Really enjoy your “way.” Thanks for posting.

Fantastic video to wake up with on a slow morning, thank you!

I loved watching this and reading through the comments

Thank you for sharing! 🖤

Wow. Thank you for this motivational video for all of us who are giving their dreams a second chance. I always dreamt of becoming an artist but was too scared of becoming a starving artist. Nowadays there are so many different opportunities and ways for creatives that we didn't have 20years ago. Now I'm using my maternity leave to have a go as an artist. Just few months ago I started a new watercolour RU-vid channel for absolute beginners. It's my first step into the creative pool of opportunities:-) I'm excited to see where this will take me. Even if it's just to motivate myself to paint more, it will already be a success. All the best for all of you💞

Nunca he intentado por voluntad propia 😍🥰🔥❤️

Thankyou I love your wisdom x

Thank you for this video❤

Creativity is not about the age it's about Idea.

🙏 thank you for this words

Amazing my dear friend I love it you're Way in drawing really very beautiful and lovely 🌹💕 New friend with you 🥰

Yes, you’re totally right 🌞👨‍🌾

I had horses for over 20 years and the people around the horses still acted like I didn’t know anything. This idea carries over into art for me I had went to school for art years ago, no one took a particular interest, I have tried to just do art for my own enjoyment. I have not done any artwork in years, I am afraid that I am too old to be good at it, and if after 20 years I had not advanced with the horses I may not with art, and I don’t have that kind of time anymore.

Excellent video and advice!

I just discovered you. Amazing art. Im bedridden and i became a painter 👩🏻‍🎨 due to not able to be what i used to be before illness. Now, even though I had to reinvent myself I wouldn’t change a thing, it made me the happiest artist. Thank You for sharing your story.. Do you min sharing what brush did you use? Loveeeeeee

awesomeness🤩

Magnifique ! ☺

beautiful video .. thank you

Oh beautiful video .. thank you

Creativity knows no age. Just go for a nature walk and open your eyes......

a fantastic tutorial 🙏

Thank you for the inspiration! I’ve read Austin Kleon and the War of Art. I will check out your other recommendations. Re: The Artists Way, I’ve never “finished” the book but I do go back to Morning Pages (it gets the stuff in the way of working out of the way) and Artists Dates (for fresh ideas and getting out of ruts).

Thanks for your inspiration and encourage at beginning of the vedio…

creativety has no age....

thank you ❤

creativity is a quality of the soul not of the body nor of the mind, children do not have much in their minds and their bodies are not fully developed yet and even so they are 100% creative, that's why be a child all your life have fun all the time everywhere

Nämen! Vad kul att se dina videor! Supersnyggt! 🥳🙏

The best technique l like it succsess always thank for share my friend

Thank you😊

My philosophy is you're only too old when you're six feet underground. I always was a non-artist until a few years ago when I realized that nobody was going to make the music videos for my songs that I'd wanted, since I wanted to tell the story through visual aid that my instrumental songs told. I began composing and performing music in 1988, and I actually _was_ young at the time, but there was no internet back then and I had no desire to get on MTV (but I wouldn't have turned down an offer, either) so I didn't bother with the music video aspect of it, but things became entirely different in the age of the internet, I joined RU-vid in March of 2006 (it was an entirely different site back then) and my first attempts at art in 2012 looked hilariously bad (basic geometric shapes and crude stick figures). It took awhile to get halfway decent (I'm not exactly good, but I can do a few things right).

Thank you!!! I never got all the way through The Artist’s Way either; three pages of writing among other things, was not helpful to me.

I was voted most creative in my senior yr. The girl with rainbow hair and made her own cool jeans etc. now im 42 and a mom of 2 and it’s been hard. I always wanted to be a mom but it has drained all of the creativity and energy. Kids take all your time (if you’re a good parent that is) and that’s where you lose your abilities and ultimately your creativity. Now some ppl can juggle things better… they get their kids involved or can multitask better, or maybe their kids are calm… But to any young creatives out there, just know this is what typically happens. I’ve seen it again and again.

Louise, greetings from a new Seoul friend. so beautiful

Thank you so much for this Vedio ❤️❤️

In case you want to learn to paint with acrylics...I did it. At 58, i painted in acrylics my first ever still life, a pear. It turned out gorgeous, as though some talented person painted it. I wish i could show you. This lady, Angela, on RU-vid has a step by step tutorial on how to paint most anything in acrylics. She used to teach children how to paint. Here's the video from her channel that i followed last night: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-iRTaiYrweJA.html However, good brushes and paints help tremendously! Angela, in her more recent videos, recommends some good brushes. Or you can pick a pack at Michaels. Just make sure it has a "flat" brush and a "round" brush. I used brand new ones and they worked even with cheap paints. Ha, ha. But i did have a bit of the struggle of thin paint drying too fast on me. Ha, ha However, this other lady on RU-vid, Eve, has a couple of videos on how to use and how to take care of brushes to keep them in good shape. Those 30 minutes videos are a great investment to learn how to use and take care of your paint brushes. Here are the links: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-uapCfhUgGVA.html And, ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XR4ZxEg3nNA.html Angela makes it super easy. This is not sponsored. I don't know these women. I was just blessed with their knowledge and skills and just want to share with you all how you can have joy painting with acrylics. Thank you.

I think some people ARE genetically predisposed to being more artistic, just like some are more athletic or intelligent. Especially with music. People are born with perfect pitch and have a huge advantage in music. Just like a tall person has an advantage in basketball.

I agree with everything said in this video. However, the Art community needs to stop denying that TALENT isn’t a thing. YES folks, talent does exist & it’s real. Talent is that very thing that makes the difference in someone’s skill level. Of course hard work, dedication etc will get you far. Not going to deny that. Not everything can be explained with hard work. Again, agree with what was said except the talent part. Have a nice day😄

I feel like you have wonderful paper for painting 👀

Thank you very much! Would leave 3000 likes if could!