Rediscovering Your Creative Passions After 50: A Journey of Colorful Blobs and Beautiful Failures

Rediscovering and reconnecting with childhood creative passions after the age of 50 can bring about a transformation in various aspects of your life. It provides a holistic approach to well-being, ensuring that you remain mentally sharp, physically active, emotionally balanced, and socially connected. Whether it's painting, dancing, gardening, or any other hobby, embracing what you love can lead to a happier, healthier, and more fulfilling life. So, pick up that paintbrush, lace up those dancing shoes, or start planting those seeds—your future self will thank you!

So, fellow creatives and adventure seekers, I'm extending an invitation to join me on an incredibly rewarding journey of rediscovering your creative passions after 50. That's right! We're delving back into the world of doodles, paint splatters, and sketchy sketches that make your inner child squeal with joy.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

I remember the days when I used to doodle on my homework, much to the dismay of my teachers. I was lucky enough to have had a few grade school teachers who were at least tolerant of my margin doodles, and some even offered encouragement. In junior high, I discovered my passion for art when I came across a watercolor set and an art teacher named Mr. Joliffe. He recognized my potential and offered me private watercolor painting lessons at a rate my single mother could afford. This marked the beginning of my artistic journey.

Fast forward about five decades, and here I am, exchanging my corporate IT exec attire for paint-stained shirts. Trust me, it's a look. But why, you ask? It turns out that there's more to life than just spreadsheets and deadlines. Who knew?

The Great Rediscovery

Imagine this: after turning 50, rediscovering your creative passions. Picture a comfortable art studio filled with watercolor paintings that range from "Wow, that's amazing!" to "Is that supposed to be a cat?" and a sketchpad filled with figures that may or may not resemble potatoes. The shift from the stress and busy schedules of work and family life to a retirement filled with creative fulfillment can be both thrilling and overwhelming. However, I can assure you that it's worth every moment of colorful chaos.

One of the greatest joys of retirement is having the time to reconnect with those passions we set aside. For me, it was watercolor painting and figure drawing. At 17, I even received a scholarship to study figure drawing. While my peers were at football games, I was refining my skills in drawing hands that didn’t look like alien appendages. My weekends were spent in art studios, surrounded by the scent of charcoal and graphite, immersed in the serene atmosphere of concentration.

Embracing the Creative Chaos

Now, if you’re thinking, “I haven’t picked up a paintbrush since the Nixon administration,” fear not! Rediscovering your creative side isn’t about perfection. It’s about enjoying the process, making a mess, and sometimes creating something that looks like Picasso had a bad day. And that’s perfectly okay.

Pablo Picasso himself said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”

Creativity in our later years is not just a hobby; it’s a lifeline. It’s a way to reconnect with our inner selves, to express emotions we’ve tucked away, and to find joy in the simplest of activities. Think of it as therapy but with more color and less talking.

Tips for Getting Started

Start Small: You don’t need to recreate the Sistine Chapel. Begin with simple projects and gradually work your way up. Try painting a simple landscape or a bowl of fruit. The goal is to ease back into the process without overwhelming yourself.

Invest in Quality Supplies: Nothing kills creativity faster than lousy materials. Treat yourself to some decent paints and brushes. Your inner artist will thank you. When I first restarted, I used my old, dried-out paints and wondered why everything looked dull. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t my artistic vision; it was the materials.

Join a Community: Whether it’s an online group like edge studios or a local art class, sharing your work and getting feedback can be incredibly motivating. Plus, you’ll meet like-minded individuals who understand the joys and frustrations of the creative process.

Practice, Practice, Practice: Remember, it’s about the journey. Every blob is a step towards improvement. Set aside a little time each day to create something, anything. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll become with your tools and techniques.

The Bigger Picture

Rediscovering your creative passions is more than just a hobby. It’s a way to reconnect with yourself, find joy in the little things, and maybe even discover talents you didn’t know you had. As Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way, puts it, “Creativity is the natural order of life. Life is energy: pure creative energy.”

There’s a sense of freedom that comes with this stage of life. The pressures of careers and raising families have eased, and now it’s time to focus on what makes you happy. Maybe it's watercolor painting, like me, or perhaps it's knitting, gardening, or writing. Whatever it is, dive in wholeheartedly.

My Creative Journey

For me, this journey began with a splash—literally. My first attempt at watercolor after decades was a complete mess. I forgot how much water to use, and my paper turned into a soggy, colorful disaster. But I laughed it off and tried again. Each attempt got a little better, and soon I was creating pieces I was proud to hang on my wall.

Figure drawing has been equally rewarding. There’s something meditative about capturing the human form, with all its complexities and imperfections. My early sketches were rough, to say the least, but with practice, I’ve seen improvement. And the best part? There are no grades, no critiques, just pure enjoyment.

Famous Quotes to Inspire

Here are a few more quotes that have kept me motivated:

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." — Maya Angelou

"The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt." — Sylvia Plath

"To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it." — Kurt Vonnegut

These words of wisdom remind me that the creative process is valuable, regardless of the outcome. It’s the act of creating that enriches our lives.

Embracing Imperfection

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to embrace imperfection. Not every piece will be a masterpiece, and that’s okay. Some of my favorite works are the ones that didn’t turn out as planned. They have character and tell a story of experimentation and growth.

As we age, it’s easy to become critical of our abilities. We compare ourselves to others and feel that we’re not good enough. But creativity isn’t about competition; it’s about personal expression and joy. So let go of the need for perfection and just create.

Health Benefits

Reconnecting with childhood passions over the age of 50 offers numerous health benefits that contribute to overall well-being. Here are some of the key advantages:

Conclusion

To all my fellow over-50s and retirees out there, remember: it’s never too late to start something new or pick up where you left off. The world is your canvas, and there’s no better time than now to paint your masterpiece—whatever that may be.

So grab your brushes, your pencils, or whatever floats your creative boat, and let’s make some art. And if your sunset looks more like a blob, you’re in excellent company.

Here’s to rediscovering the artist within and making every day a masterpiece. Stay creative, stay inspired, and most importantly, stay entertained.

Cheers to the journey,

Doug

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