It’s Never Too Late to Create: Embracing Art at Any Age
- Kimberly Cobb
- May 6
- 2 min read
Here’s a little secret the art world doesn’t shout loudly enough: you don’t need a degree, a gallery contract, or a childhood filled with sketchbooks to become an artist. You just need the desire to create—and maybe a few tubes of paint (and some paper towels nearby).
Hi, I’m Melissa Bergman, and I didn’t fully realize I was an artist until my mid-50s. Yes, you read that right. While creativity had quietly followed me through a career in landscape and home design, it wasn’t until I picked up a paintbrush later in life that I realized: this is what I was made to do.
The Myth of the “Young Genius”
There’s a common misconception that if you didn’t start painting at age 8 or graduate from art school by 22, then the door to creative expression is somehow closed. But creativity doesn’t work that way. It’s not a club reserved for the “chosen few.” It’s a muscle we all have—and it doesn’t come with an expiration date.
In fact, I believe there’s something incredibly powerful about discovering art later in life. With years of lived experience, emotional depth, and a clearer sense of self, we create not to impress but to express.
Creativity Can Start with Curiosity
For me, art started with curiosity. I noticed the way a sunflower turned toward the light or the play of colors in a West Texas sunset. I started snapping photos, sketching, and experimenting with paint. That simple act of paying attentionbecame a doorway to joy.
Maybe for you, it’s not paint. Maybe it’s ceramics. Or poetry. Or photography. Or doodling while you’re on a conference call. The form doesn’t matter—the feeling does.
Give Yourself Permission to Try
You don’t need to know what your “style” is. You don’t need to sell a single piece. You just need to start. My first art class was in my senior year of high school—and then life took me in other directions. But that creative spark? It never went away. When I finally made space to explore it again, it was like reconnecting with a part of myself I didn’t even realize I missed.
Now, I paint everything from Texas landscapes and blooming florals to whimsical animals in wine glasses (because why not?). I’ve sold pieces, shown in galleries, and created heartfelt commissions for people I’ve never met—but who connect with the joy I try to pour into every piece.
What If the Best Part of Your Creative Life Is Still Ahead?
If you’ve ever said “I wish I could paint” or “maybe when I retire I’ll try it,” consider this your nudge: you don’t have to wait. Art doesn’t require perfection. It asks only for presence. And here’s the best part: every time you create, you’re not just making something new—you’re becoming someone new. A version of yourself that’s a little freer, a little more observant, and a whole lot more joyful.
So whether you’re 25 or 75, pick up the brush, the pen, the camera, the clay—whatever calls to you. Let it be messy. Let it be fun. Let it be yours.
The canvas doesn’t care how old you are. And trust me—some of the best strokes come from experience!
