Becoming an Artist at 30 Years Old

[@friendlyfilmz]

You are the best. I’m in my 40s and really only NOW leaning toward my KZbin dream. It is NEVER too late.

[@MomsTravelTeam]

I'm turning 60 and have been talking about doing it for years. Finally adding my travel stuff and creating new content- bringing in prior trip media and learning as I go. I have 55 subs pretty much gained in the past 2 weeks through begging.

[@BigRobAustria]

I never thought being almost 40 watching someone in their 30s speaking about their 20s all on KZbin 😂❤ inspiring me to do the same

[@DarrenNaylor]

Hahahah we are all more similar than we think.

[@BigRobAustria]

@@DarrenNaylor what do you recommend for someone super bad in front of cameras … I’m more of a behind the scenes/post production/ graphic beginner. Would you recommend doing a video less than 5mins? I’m struggling with the idea of not having good content in audio-visually presented good enough.

[@AmyRaeVee]

I'm 54. I started design school in my mid-20s. Then karate at age 30 (only for a few years). Then I started in roller derby at age 35. I started teaching design at age 36. I started riding my motorcycle (and working on it) at age 39. ... Mountain biking on and off. I got my BA in writing at 50 and married at 50. Moved to the Gulf Coast from the Midwest last year. I've done some photography and oil painting on and off since my teens (the 80s) and love industrial and electronic music. You just keep on going with it. The only part that makes it weird is that people associate some of these things with youth and it's become apparent that I need to share my own story and personality publicly. I'm shy by nature. I'm gonna do it.

[@MomsTravelTeam]

Awesome!!! Congrats. I'm turning 60 and working on my channel and content. 55 subscribers and growing.

[@imKeshav]

Man every time I hear your story (with a bunch of new added scenes & episodes), it brings the motivation out of me and clears my mind about the perceptions, doubts and false narratives that I've been fed for such a long time about "how life just ends at 30" or in my case - "how life just ends at 25" lmao. So, by my "standards", you're already 5 years in your afterlife mah man haha...

[@DarrenNaylor]

Man, my life didn't really start getting really interesting until I was 25 so trust me when I say your best years are in front of you 👌

[@imKeshav]

@@DarrenNaylor Yessir, I know it, that’s why I keep myself away from the naysayers and keep walking the baby steps forward every single day 📈

[@imKeshav]

@@DarrenNaylor Also, I think I’m probably never gonna use the word “man” in my comments from now onwards ‘coz it sounded so silly when I tried to speak what I’ve written above.

[@shoopwoop3470]

Yo - how this doesn't have more views, engagement etc is wild. There's so many 30yr olds that were told (myself included) that they had such potential growing up. But then we never figured out what it is we should be doing so it felt wasted. Great video

[@SeanEart]

Trying to become a working artist in my thirties as well. Your channel and art are both huge inspirations for me. Keep up the great work. Always looking forward to your next video.

[@DarrenNaylor]

Love to hear it! What is your medium?

[@SeanEart]

@@DarrenNaylor figurative sculpting and painting. Keep it up-you’re channel is going to blow up soon, mark my words :)

[@renel7303]

​@@SeanEartI believe that too. Excellent channel.

[@sitagallagher]

I’m 41 and live in a van and just started my journey to travel full time across the United States, while building my youtube channel. My life is just getting started and I have never been happier! Who cares how old you are. Get out there and chase your dreams whenever the inspiration and motivation strikes you! But also, great video, really love your stuff!

[@DarrenNaylor]

Love to hear it and thank you!

[@MomsTravelTeam]

Building my travel youtube as well. There are so many styles! Subscribed to you. I love the van life content.

[@sitagallagher]

@@MomsTravelTeam thanks subscribed back at you! 😁

[@EtchAndSketch]

Im 40. Been drawing for 20+ years and only had the courage to start a KZbin channel and post my art a few months back. The feedback has been wonderful. I guess it will take time for channel growth. If I do at all that is. Well done young lad. Keep up the great work.

[@mimisart]

I just got started on my art and painting journey in my late 30’s, early 40’s. KZbin journey was started late too. But it’s never too late…as long as I keep an open and inquisitive mind 😊

[@karacoldmusic]

33, started music production at 30 during the pandemic. Been loving it and making a lot of forward progress and finally seeing some traction on KZbin with it. We got this 👌

[@jesterfeathers]

I never thought I’d be into sewing, but here I am. I also resisted kpop for the longest time but found my favorite band through exploring it so I’m glad I gave it a shot 🙂

[@DarrenNaylor]

I love finding new music artists that I was always aware of but didn't really dive into. Especially when they already have a deep catalog so you have a ton of catching up to do :)

[@jesterfeathers]

@@DarrenNaylor I’m procrastinating listening to all of their music bc I want to still have new songs of theirs to listen to (the band is Stray Kids btw), even though they make new music all the time so I’m not sure why I’m saving the albums up 🙃

[@Juicyfpv]

Huge fan of you here man! Love your acting and art! First saw you in 13 reasons and you have been an inspiration since. I am on the spectrum and as a new KZbinr I have finally found my niche and it’s thanks to you! Now I’m a professional Fpv drone pilot been flying for 8years now and just started growing my own channel. ❤ lots of love from your #1 fan! Joshua Lerner

[@DarrenNaylor]

Thats awesome, bro! I'll be sure to reach out with drone questions when the time comes for me :)

[@Leti.reis.atelier]

I'm so happy I found your channel! I'm a chemist and I started painting last year at the age of 35 after being dismissed from the laboratory because I got pregnant and couldn't "serve the lab" anymore. It's so great to be able to own your own business, I wish I had thrown myself into the arts sooner, but there's always time to reinvent yourself! This video is a great inspiration for everyone, thank you very much and keep up the incredible content!

[@DarrenNaylor]

Sorry to hear about how it happened but life has unique ways of sending us where we’re supposed to be. I’m glad you’ve found the arts!

[@JoeSchultz-gh5dw]

Love the bad audition story! All the great actors have a bad audition story too… so you’re on your way! I’ve heard some funny ones like Russel Crowe auditioning in front of Denzel Washington and Russel accidentally spit a little white bit of spittle while he was talking and it landed on Denzel’s face. He was truly mortified! 😂

[@PositivelyJennifer]

I'm in my 40s and am just now starting this and other creative outlets. So props to you for doing it! Also just wanted to say I also played the trumpet and so did my 23 year old red headed twin boys! I just find you comforting because of my kids I think. ❤

[@MomsTravelTeam]

Fear is so debilitating. Is my content great-no. Am i going to keep trying-yes. This content is encouraging- thank you.❤

[@shadowsatmidnight]

Lovely video, it was so wonderful to see your childhood drawings too. I think childrens art is so free, I wish I could draw without all the negative comments I've received going through my mind. My children drw joyfully and its wonderful. I love your paintings, good for you!! Today I learnt how to make sugar coated rose petals and I just recently made a video about Dandelion and Nettle Muffins and even illustrated my own recipie for them. Something I used to do for fun when I was little and then studying art just sucked the joy out of it for the longest time. 12 years on and I just want to make things all the time. I look forward to more of your content, w.e it may be!

[@jackoliverdrums]

Dude your art is fantastic! I’m 32 and after 20 years of guitar I’m a year into playing drums and it feels like I’ve finally found my purpose too. Thanks for the vid - very inspiring.

[@DarrenNaylor]

Thanks, bro! That’s awesome to hear. Crazy to think you probably had drums near by all along, haha.

[@anca_artfulminds]

Super inspiring. I'm slowly working on starting my KZbin channel at 29, and I feel so inspired and motivated to draw more and support other people. Two months ago I also started giving drawing courses and I was so surprised and overwhelmed to already have had 15 people joining my second course ever. I taught my first two drawing courses in a coffeeshop and everyone seemed to enjoy having some good coffee while drawing. I am still getting messages from my new students thanking me for helping them find confidence in their own journey with art. So yeah, too late is never too late. I guess a great example here is also Miyazaki, who started Ghibli studio in his 40s ❤ thank you so much Darren for sharing your experience!

[@DarrenNaylor]

That's so cool to hear! Congrats! I think the arts are highly underrated in terms of finding ways to generate income and an audience through teaching. So I'm not surprised you've found success with your classes. Keep going and start giving lessons on your channel, they'll do well

[@anca_artfulminds]

Thank you for your support! That's the plan, or at least part of it. So hopefully I will have my youtube account populated with tutorials and personal journey soon ☺️

[@pauljakeman]

What a truly awesome video man. That’s some journey and shows you don’t have to have everything figured out by the time you’re 20. Thanks for sharing this!

[@theharveydean]

Similar story to you man! I found pixel art at 28, only experience I had creatively prior to that was photography. I quit my job 4-5 months later to go full time and have been making pixel art full time for almost 3 years now. Younger me would be v confused 😂. Love seeing your vids finally taking off man. Let’s goo!! 🔥

[@DarrenNaylor]

Thanks awesome, bro! What made you get into that?

[@jdub4124]

Thank you for being you

[@sauzefilms]

the one thing that got me interested in filmmaking again is the one i thought it's not as useful which is also the one thing i used to enjoy back when i was a kid: writing. i could just imagine and lay out any scene on (digital) paper and see which clicks, instead of doing everything inside my head which ends up me overthink things. "it's never too late to learn new things" as they say.

[@DarrenNaylor]

Writing is such an underrated aspect of filmmaking. If you can create well written stories you'll always have content and ideas. I've read and had to audition for enough really bad scripts to have learned this this the hard way.

[@LukesVlogs97]

keep up the positive energy brother, keep doing you!

[@timdemoss]

Love it. Thanks so much for sharing - as a 25 year old it’s fun to think what art forms I might be pursuing down the line! Hobbies: I wouldn’t say I’m surprised that I like reading since I always liked it as a kid, but I am surprised at how much I like it and how long it’s continued. I like all kinds of books, but one particular area that’s been a focus for me lately is the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration. Everything from that era is fantastic. :) And it’s influenced my art and my teaching in fun and new ways.

[@DarrenNaylor]

Man, reading is what I’ve just never taken to as much as I’ve liked. I’ve read many autobiographies but for some reason anything fiction my mind wanders the whole time. Which is ironic considering I have to read/write scripts that are fiction for acting. I hope one day down the line I become a more avid reader, I think my mind races too much for that to happen these days 😅

[@timdemoss]

I go through phases of fiction and non fiction all the time :) Do you have any autobiographies you recommend from your reading? any that have stuck out as interesting or influential on your life?

[@LifeCapturesOnce]

I did art when i was younger and did some animation. Now i have strong memories of my drawings which i may infact recreate and also photography/filming is my main hobby! :) i was actually thinking of sharing my artwork on ig separate to photography/films.

[@DarrenNaylor]

Ya I feel like most people I know who were into animation in their younger years ended up being into filmmaking or photography as an adult. Drawing was just the easiest art form to start with.

[@BelAtih]

Really love your authenticity as always Darren! Now.. onto my new hobby --- coming soon. Hehe. You inspire me. Keep going!

[@MichaelMaitlen]

I had a pretty good stutter as a kid, so wouldn't have thought I'd take up making KZbin videos. But most of the hobbies I have now track with were I was as a kid...juggling (started in my early teens), ttrpg, electronics, drawing, hiking

[@DarrenNaylor]

Love that, man. Sounds like you’ve got a lot of great hobbies.

[@cephinisemodestin3348]

I think that a lot of people are sold this dream of 'baby genius'; someone's grandparents, or their parents, or their parent's friends are like; "Little Johnny was two when he picked up his first guitar. He could barely hold onto the damn thing, but he smiled so big, and we just knew... he was gonna be a star!" But really, finding your passion, or the thing you wanna do as a career is like falling in love (or at least that's how it was for me) and that takes time, exploration, experimentation, and a whole lot of patients. I think finding your passion at 30 sounds nice. You could spend your entire twenties exploring and finding your thing, and then (assuming that you found it) spend your thirties sharpening those skills and enjoying the thing you love to do.

[@DarrenNaylor]

This is a great point and perspective 👌🏻

[@ramonedixon]

Loved hearing your story. I’ve always loved art, and I’m so pleased that you found it as one of your biggest forms of inspiration for your creativity.

[@DarrenNaylor]

I appreciate it!

[@zachonline_]

So encouraging bro I am glad I found you

[@lewessays]

Photography & Poetry I use to write novels and song lyrics and take photos as a kid but I considered it just something I would do for fun and never thought I was talented enough to pursue something creative. But, I just decided to pursue them and work on my skills. I found meaning and purspose through them

[@DarrenNaylor]

Love it

[@BaileytheIllustrator]

This is such a great story! Would love to hear more about how you find art opportunities, and how you came across these ones!

[@DarrenNaylor]

I actually have a couple videos about that already! Check out my videos 8500 in 48 hours and 30 k in paintings. Both are in my Art playlist. I breakdown how I found many of these opportunities 👌

[@BaileytheIllustrator]

@@DarrenNaylor oh amazing!! I’m getting right on that!

[@jeffraycarson]

Nice job, I like your videos. I feel like I'm on my 3rd re-invention at age 47. You're a great painter and film maker!

[@DarrenNaylor]

Re-Invention is the best way to describe it!

[@BeersWithBoydo]

Loving the videos mate! excellent story telling and as i've said before i resonate hard with you at 33 finding my true passions!!

[@DarrenNaylor]

Love to hear it, bro!

[@Rockin.Bakken]

How cool! You’re great at what you do 🙌 I thought I was going to be a high fashion model. After pursuing that dream for about 7 years, I moved back to MN from the east coast & got covered in tattoos. I decided it was time to take off the mask & become who I’ve shut in a box for so long. I started creating art and making handmade jewelry again. This lead to me starting up a small business selling my art. Along the way I picked up playing the drums & guitar.

[@DarrenNaylor]

Love to hear it! I have alot of tattoos but always say I’d be covered if I wasn’t into acting 😅

[@Rockin.Bakken]

@@DarrenNaylor that’s totally understandable! It’s awesome how tattoos are becoming more normalized. Maybe as you grow you can get more when you start landing bigger roles

[@evolutionofmaggie]

Love your work

[@stuhunter]

So good as always

[@DarrenNaylor]

🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@UgoWatch]

❤ Also getting into short filmmaking and trying to redefine my ideas of what that looks like. When I was younger it was more of a grandiose idea for me I think - to actually make feature films Hollywood style. I now believe i'm more suited to the short film/anthology/special feature space but again this is all still in the infancy stage.

[@DarrenNaylor]

Yep, I think we all fantasize about creating a massive blockbuster but I've realized over the years that I just want to create things that I like. Especially now that I know the process and time it takes to create something like that.

[@midwestsailor]

I recently got into sailing at 43yro. Never would have thought I’d be doing that 😂

[@DarrenNaylor]

That's awesome! I have a friend who got into that over the last couple years but I'm always skeptical to go..those boats are small 😅

[@ChemCoder404]

Your video style is so good. Almost like Ed from FilmBooth. Keep it up!

[@DarrenNaylor]

I appreciate it!

[@jesterfeathers]

Points for the 05:01 Johnny Bravo cameo 👌

[@DarrenNaylor]

Points for recognizing a classic 👌

[@taylorgangis]

Go Magic!!!

[@taylorgangis]

pickleball and video making, what started as a hobby in high school I'm now doing full time for a career. The internet is awesome.

[@DarrenNaylor]

T Mac was my fav player back in the day 😁

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

I'm here to encourage others to subscribe! tHanks for all the fun videos 8/15/24 14,2 K For the history books

[@iamnotapoet]

Thanks , as always , for the video. Sweetie & I enjoy them all. - Eric ZORK Alan & Sweetie [ 🤣Professional🤣Poets & Bed 🛏️ & Beer🍺 Vloggers ]

[@DarrenNaylor]

💙

[@Pietop]

ahhh yes, the old "I'm getting my real estate license" cry for help. (I'm making fun of myself btw because that was 1000% me lol)

[@DarrenNaylor]

Hahah I have some really successful real estate friends but at the time I was definitely in the “I’m lost, what should I do” phase.

[@Organicallyjoanna]

Lololol relatable

[@Pietop]

@@Organicallyjoanna the important thing is we all eventually found our way in life

[@MrBBowe]

Keep cooking

[@DarrenNaylor]

🤝

[@Rowafaedits194]

CAN I EDIT YOUR KZbin VIDEOS?

[@Piyu_11fps]

Can I pls be a viewer of your yt studio please❤

[@CharlieMungersMentalModels]

I'm 33, I got into language learning December 2022 and took up French and then Hindi. I never thought I'd become a polyglot, but I'm on my way there.