3 Reasons Why It's Not Too Late For You As A Watercolor Artist

Do you ever feel behind? Like you're not young enough, your circumstances aren't right, or you should have started a long time ago? Maybe it bothers you that you don't have connections in the art world or that you can't go to art school.

It’s not too late for you.

In today’s video, I offer you three reasons now is the perfect time to commit to your growth as an artist.

I started painting in what I felt like was later in life. It was after I had my son, when my schedule became more and more restricted. I had a lot of those thoughts: It's too late for me. If I want to be good at this, I should have been painting 20 years ago. But I had always wanted to paint, and I decided this was the time.

Let's talk about why this is a lie.

First of all, there is only one you. You have unique experiences. You have a history that no one else has. You’ve experienced a range of feelings and emotions throughout your life. All of this has created specific preferences, sensitivities and a point of view.

All of this is within you, and it's taken these years to acquire your taste and aesthetic. Whatever is going on or whatever has happened in your life – all of it is an asset. Nobody else has what you have. You are just now in a place to bring all of that into your artwork.

Secondly, you are equipped to learn. You might see your age as a negative. You might wish you'd started painting a long time ago. But if I had started painting 20 years before I did, I would not be the same artist I am today.

I didn't have the same temperament or patience 20 years ago. I didn’t have the same curiosity. When I finally did pick up a brush, I knew that learning was a privilege, and I was ready to receive it. I was ready to lean in and to work hard because I knew what I wanted.

You know yourself better. You know your thought patterns. You know how you learn best. And all of this can be used to your advantage.

Lastly, learning has never been easier. Learning to paint 20 or 30 years ago was very different than it is now. There was no YouTube, no videos on demand, and not as many workshops. Now, we have every bit of information we need right at our fingertips.

This golden era for information, and the barrier to learning has essentially diminished. This means you might learn more quickly now than you would have 20 years ago.
If you have a question about a brush, you can look it up. Want a review on paper, you can find it with a click of a mouse. If you want to connect to other artists, there are avenues for this too.

There's only one you, your experience is an asset to learning, and learning a skill has never been easier.

Remember these things the next time you think you’ve missed your chance.

You haven't missed your chance. It's right here in front of you.

Let me know:
What is it that you feel is holding you back?
Do you have any of these limiting beliefs?
Do you feel like it's too late for you?

I hope that you found this encouraging and that you are making time for your own creativity. Lean into the things that are most life-giving to you, and keep practicing.

I'll see you next time.