Making Art After 50
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Making Art After 50

Guest Post by Writer Jessica Brody

The best hobbies for creative people are ones that elevate their sense of joy and purpose. Making art definitely fits the bill.

Even if you’ve never considered yourself to be a creative person and just want to try something new, starting an artistic hobby can boost your self-esteem and help you reduce stress and anxiety. It can even allow you to create a fulfilling new career!

Keep in mind that you might try a few different methods and mediums before you find one you like, and that’s okay. In fact, it’s encouraged.

If you’re having trouble getting started, take a look around at my website for some inspiration. I started painting in my 70s.

Here are just a few ways you can practice an artistic hobby at any age and how it can benefit your wellbeing.

Get Involved

One of the many wonderful things about art is that you can find a creative community in just about every town in the country. Whether you’ve recently started to try your hand at being a maker or just want to learn more about different art methods, it’s a good idea to get involved with the local art scene.

Making Art After 50

Look online to find museums, galleries, social media groups, art events, and community projects that you can support and learn from, and look for online-only groups as well. Not only is this a great way to meet other creative people and socialize, it will be beneficial when you’re ready to start promoting your work.

Build New Skills

No matter what type of creative activity you want to pursue, or whether you choose to share your work with the world or keep it to yourself, practicing it often will allow you to build new skills that awaken different parts of the brain and help to improve cognitive function.

Not only that, finding a hobby you truly enjoy that you’re also good at can be a major boost for your self-esteem and confidence.

One of the wonderful things about art is that even after you find a method you enjoy, there are many ways to keep learning and evolving, so you’ll never get bored.

Start a New Career

Whether you’re a painter, printmaker, crafter, or something in-between, there are several ways to create a career out of your hobby. Once you have your creative skills built up, it’s just a short jump to monetizing them.

With so many resources available online these days, it’s never been easier to build a small business. The key is to remain organized, follow all the steps, and do the required market research so you’ll have a better understanding of your competition and potential customers.

Making Art After 50

Each state is different when it comes to the legal requirements for becoming a business owner, so go over the guidelines for startups in your area to make sure you don’t miss anything important. Also, make sure you’re ready for the demands that a hobby-related career brings.

Relax

While creating your own business is an amazing way to make the most of your hobby, simply enjoying the path it takes you on is pretty great, too.

Making art has long been a way to introduce stress-relief, meditation. mindful thinking, and trauma healing to people of all ages. You can often get some benefits right away.

Try a few different mediums to see how they make you feel. For instance, if you work primarily with digital tools, use a physical paintbrush now and then for a more tactile, engaged experience.

It’s important for creatives, especially older adults, not to limit themselves when they feel drawn to more than one outlet.

Finding and practicing a new artistic hobby over the age of 50 can be daunting, but art has no age limit and no real rules. Look for local creative opportunities, find inspiration online, and try several different methods so you can explore every artistic avenue available.

Making Art After 50
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