I was just visiting my father, who is an artist, in Ashland, Oregon. He mentioned that because of some health reasons he had stopped painting. It had been a few months. I asked him if he missed it and he said he did but, at the same time, he reasoned that because you get older your creativity lessens which makes the whole process of creating not longer as satisfying.
He cited various artists whose careers petered out in their later years. I agreed, however, I also thought of that Gerhardt Richter movie showing the 82 year old artist miraculously dragging giant squeegees across enormous paintings. If you have not watched this movie, do so as it is truly inspirational. So clearly there are some exceptions to this idea that creativity wanes later in life.
I goggled the research and learned a little bit about how our brain works, how it seems to build and expand itself mostly when we are learning new things. Young children, for example, are just utterly preoccupied with learning because their world is still brand new. Their brains are madly creating new neural pathways all day long because their curiosity is on fire.
How does a ball point pen work? Can you really grow an avocado from the pit by sticking toothpicks in it and hanging it in a cup of water? Why do flies fly in square formation? Why does it smell like that after an electrical storm? Can a thought actually bend a spoon? How does a bee find its way home again? How can the sky sometimes be that impossibly beautiful blue?
My father thought one of the primary reasons we might lose our creativity was because we had already been there before. In other words, we already have done so many paintings, so many figure drawings, so many doodles in sketchbooks that we already know how it is going to turn out. There is so much behind us that it begins to inform and predict the future outcome. Not entirely of course but just enough to maybe think twice about starting yet another painting when making the previous 3 wasn’t particularly inspiring. We no longer are particularly curious.
And this curiosity part is where I found a foothold in coming up with my own idea about stemming the tide on creativity later in Life. I notice in my own life that I am busy with a capital B and unless I choose something new and exciting to do, it just won’t happen.
However there is a choice. And this is key. We either go somewhere we haven’t, choose something unfamiliar, take a chance when we don’t know how things are going to turn out or we don’t. Having things always work out the way you predicted they would is somewhat reassuring, but it comes at a cost. Predictability has been exchanged for curiosity, surprise, and most importantly, wonder. It seems to me that there will hopefully always be so many things yet to know.
I know I can grow an avocado tree from a seed having grown one that grew faster than I did as a child, and I know a lot about honey bees, but I do not yet know why the sky can be that amazing untouchable, beautiful blue.
It still fills me with curiosity. It makes me wonder. And as a result, thankfully, it gently nudges me back into the studio to start looking for answers.
With appreciation, Nicholas
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Hi! I’m
Nicholas Wilton
the founder of Art2Life.
With over 20 years experience as a working artist and educator, I’ve developed a systematic approach that brings authenticity, spontaneity and joy back into the creative process.
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I too was moved by the Gerhard Richter documentary, and the power of moving paint with the giant squeegee. I also understand how your father may no longer have a need to make art. After all, art or any creative endeavor comes from the soul. Perhaps he feels complete. What inspires me is the breath. Isn’t that the origin of the meaning of the word, inspire (to take in breath)? Through being present, through the breath, I can see, feel, hear, taste, touch, and know the divine. This is what inspires me . . . the divine within and its’ myriad manifestations everywhere I look.
Hi Nick,
Around 7 months ago or so (maybe longer) Times magazine had an article about artists and how many older artists feel they are doing their best work now. These are artists in their 70s and 80s. The article was also explaining why this may be the case. From my recollection of the article, it was stating what happens to both sides of the brain as we age and why the creative side becomes stronger. The article certainly encouraging and affirmed that my decision to pursue my art career now was a good idea.
I will have to track down that article. It is a super interesting topic and I can see why they did a story on it…
This post really resonated with me. I am most inspired and motivated when I am trying something new. Starting a new series, working with a new medium, etc. I think it takes me back to that wonder and happiness I felt as a child discovering something new.
I have lost count of the number of times I’ve read painting described as an “old man’s game”. I too remember that article in Time as well as many positive articles in magazines and newspapers referencing older painters and photographers too. While mathematicians loose it pretty early on, whatever is required to paint can improve with age. Perhaps the secret is change. I wouldn’t want to paint if my paintings never surprised me. Right now, @ age 71 — wearing a pink tutu & holding a paintbrush — I am well beyond my comfort zone — balancing on a tightrope without a net. It’s Passion. Excitement. Being alive. Embracing the New. OK, I lied about the tutu.
Hi Nick,
Life is freer in all ways now that I am no longer an active mom juggling a 100 balls in the air. I find I am much more present, more willing to take risks, more creative now because I have less interest in distractions, less caring about what others think, and am more in connection with myself and the creative energy that flows through me. It is so fun to explore; I feel like the lucky one who has passion alive and thriving. I think as long as us humans desire, dream, love, we will continue to be creative no matter our age.
I agree with Ms. Jacquot. My experience has been that while energy levels
may lessen with age, many artists best work is done late in life. Certainly
creative people actively engaged in their work age less and seem younger and more alive.
Personally, walks in nature inform and inspire me to keep my curiosity, gratitude and wonder alive. I’d love to read that New York Times Article on creativity, aging and the brain.
Hi Nick,
Below is a link to an article written last year in Art News Magazine, ‘You Become Better with Age’…an “enlightening” read for all artists.
http://www.artnews.com/2013/05/20/making-art-after-8/
Liana, thanks for sharing this article.It provides way more depth to the subject at hand. I love the idea at the end that describes, in the beginning of one’s career you never take time off because if you do so you might not be an artist…I can relate to that and remember that time.
Your are welcome Nick! My favorite quote from the article: “Seemingly immune to ageist perceptions and traditional notions of retirement are artists.” I very much enjoyed reading the anecdotes from the Master Artists as well. To sum it up…you need to be open minded to be an Artist.
Oh My…
I am counting on growing as an artist until the day I die.
My biggest fear? That I won’t be able to submit and leave behind all the art that is inside me.
The older I get, the more I grow, the more I have to say through my art.
Ox
I think it’s important to keep stretching into different areas as we get older. As my hands become arthritic I come up with other ways of making art that use my hands differently, more gently that still fire up my brain cells. I don’t ever want to reach a place where I say, “I can’t _ anymore so I am finished.” If there are 3 or 4 creative pursuits that excite me, I hope to always be able to create, something meaningful.