Brushstrokes of a New Beginning
It’s never too late to begin again—especially when your heart is set on something as timeless as painting. For many women, retirement or an empty nest offers a long-awaited moment to pick up a paintbrush and finally follow a creative path. But for some, it’s not just a hobby—it becomes a second act, a way to express themselves and make a living.
Whether you’re selling original pieces, teaching others, or licensing your work online, it’s entirely possible to build a fulfilling creative career later in life. And perhaps even more importantly, it’s possible to build one that aligns with your pace, values, and voice.
“I Didn’t Expect to Be Selling My Work—But People Started Asking”
At 62, Margaret Chen, a retired school administrator from Portland, Oregon, started painting watercolors to cope with grief after losing her husband. “I joined a local art class just to get out of the house,” she says. “At first, I painted flowers and birds—things that made me feel peaceful.”
When a friend asked to buy a small painting for her kitchen, Margaret was surprised. “I didn’t think of myself as an artist. But word got around. Soon I was doing small commissions for birthdays and anniversaries.” Today, Margaret sells prints and cards at a local co-op gallery and online, earning a steady supplemental income.
Her advice? “Start where you are. Don’t wait to feel ‘good enough.’ Let your work evolve, and let people respond to it naturally.”
“My Art Became My Business—and My Sanctuary”
After taking early retirement from her job in corporate HR, Fatima Reyes (58), from Melbourne, Australia, gave herself one year to fully immerse in painting. “I needed time to recalibrate after years of being in a high-pressure environment,” she says. “Painting became my therapy.”
Fatima now sells bold, abstract acrylics inspired by the city to corporate clients. She also teaches weekend workshops in her backyard studio. “At first, I had imposter syndrome. But then I reminded myself: I’ve lived, I’ve worked, I’ve loved—I have something to say through my art.”
She’s passionate about encouraging other women to claim their creative space. “There’s so much untapped talent out there. Your life experience doesn’t hold you back—it gives your work depth.”
“I Combined Painting with Travel—and Turned It Into a Lifestyle”
For Joanne Marshall (66), travel and art go hand-in-hand. After retiring from nursing, she bought a small camper van and began traveling around New Zealand, painting landscapes along the way. “I started sharing my sketches and watercolors on social media, mostly to keep in touch with family,” she says.
But soon, strangers began asking if her work was for sale. “I opened an online store, and before I knew it, I had a little mobile business. I paint in the mornings, hike in the afternoons, and ship prints from wherever I am.”
Joanne’s journey reminds us that art can be both freeing and sustaining. “I thought retirement meant staying still,” she says. “But painting gave me a reason to move—and a way to fund my freedom.”
Tips for Getting Started
If you're considering making a living from painting later in life, here are some practical first steps:
Start creating regularly. Treat your painting like a job, even before it pays.
Build a small portfolio of work you're proud of—enough to showcase your style.
Share your work online, even casually. Platforms like Instagram, Etsy, and Facebook can help you test the waters.
Look for local opportunities. Markets, art co-ops, and community centers are great for getting your work in front of people.
Don’t undervalue your work. Time, materials, and experience all have worth—even if your path started later.
Painting later in life isn't just about making money—it’s about reclaiming joy, exploring identity, and turning creative dreams into something real. As Margaret puts it: “It’s not a second act. It’s the part where I finally get to be me.”
