Surviving as an artist over 30 + not giving up

[@rcguy2175]

i started my art one year ago im 49 soon to be 50 in a few weeks.its not too late to start

[@TheArtMentor]

You're awesome! Do you find that these talking points still relate to you?

[@rcguy2175]

@@TheArtMentor yes they do

[@CountEstradivarius7]

You know what I love about this channel? Every video released is about what I'm going through at the same exact moment. So exact that I'm the age in the video thumbnail about a week ago

[@Ed17151]

Same here!

[@whowhat.wherewhen]

Happy Birthday!!!!

[@PilferpupCartoons]

Big true! So encouraging!

[@TheArtMentor]

Glad to hear! I've been practicing my mind reading skills and I knew this was on your mind. Glad to hear it worked and helped you!

[@nickd1973]

Happy Birthday! From a 51 year old artist who started going full throttle on art again at 40.

[@TheArtMentor]

Dang you're awesome! And thanks so much!

[@carlosquall15]

Happy birthday! No one is too late to pursue art, I even heard someone in his 50s even break in to a AAA game studio.

[@TheArtMentor]

Well said!

[@zinzolin14]

Happy Birthday Sean! Definitely a much needed video, as somebody who's in their early 30s and is still trying to break in as a professional industry artist. You've given me lots to think about, but also reaffirming of a lot of things that's been in my mind for the past while.

[@TheArtMentor]

Glad to hear this helped! It's never too late okay? This isn't pro football lol

[@lazyowl9127]

Def never too late! I started on my art business path at 54 and launched website at 56. Sometimes it does take a long time to get to the point in your life where you actually have the TIME to get started, but you're never too old! 😊

[@TheArtMentor]

Wow that's amazing! What a great testament to the timelessness of artistry. What's your art business?

[@lazyowl9127]

​@@TheArtMentor Thanks for asking! Procreate artist specializing in wildlife art and pet portraits. I enjoy your channel! ❤

[@1805movie]

Grandma Moses didn't start art until she was 78, and she's considered one of the greatest folk artists of all time. So no, it's never too late.

[@TheArtMentor]

true!

[@rcguy2175]

and for everyone don't let people rush your art its your art path and be happy with where your art journey starts

[@TheArtMentor]

Exactly!

[@Ed17151]

I can relate to most of these points you covered. Thank you and happy Birthday!

[@TheArtMentor]

Great to hear! What helped you the most in this video?

[@Dancingzombie6890]

Happy birthday Man, I hope you have many many more birthdays!

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks me too! Here's to many more years of this channel as well

[@CousinPaddy]

Happy birthday! Thank you for an excellent video.

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks for the support as well!

[@jravage77]

They are numerous comic book artists launching their 1st successful campaigns on kickstarter and indiegogo and they're all in the late 40's and 50s.

[@TheArtMentor]

Exactly!

[@Kammoi]

oh and Happy Birthday, Sean!

[@TheArtMentor]

Great to have you here celebrating it with me!

[@ThomasCurrie1024]

As someone who only just started practicing art a little over a year ago and just turned 33, this resonates with me.

[@TheArtMentor]

That's awesome! Have you found you have some advantages to younger artists?

[@ThomasCurrie1024]

@@TheArtMentor Um, I don't really have advantages or disadvantages. I do think I'm quicker to understand the more complex artistic know-hows, tips, and tricks, and maybe I'm a little quicker at learning how to draw, but nothing especially advantageous. If anything, the fact that I'm starting so late means I'm going to have to work a thousand times harder to get to where I wanna be within a reasonable time frame. I have full confidence I can do it, but it'll be a few years at least until I'm able to draw anything I want, including my characters.

[@Kammoi]

Always thought art talent is something you must born with until i actually gave myself a time to try it. Almost 3 years of hard work and now i'm almost happy with my results!(will be 32 next year) - never too late, my dudes, stay strong

[@TheArtMentor]

Yeah that luster and mythology of "art talent" fades really quickly the longer you work on your art, doesn't it?

[@StevenKrueger]

Happy Birthday!!! ✨️🌟🏆👍 Thank you for the encouraging video! 💯✏️✒️🖌🎨👍

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks so much!

[@Gabriel05290]

Thanks, I actually needed that since I'm hitting that threshold next year and I'm constantly punishing myself for not managing to earn myself a success when I was those 5-6 years younger, rotting away in a job that I hate, barely managing to get from salary to salary in a lower tier country in middle of EU, and pursuing a degree in, well, art, which felt like a waste of time since I still haven't seen proper fruits of all that hard work. I really hope that I will manage to get out of this mindset and actually get it all together, thanks again 🙏

[@TheArtMentor]

I believe you can do it! It's easy to get discouraged from age, isn't it? But also, it's a huge advantage when you look at it another way. How's that sound?

[@ClefairyFairySnowflake]

It's good to know that you're never too old to start your art career. And that being an artist is (at least somewhat) realistic. Thank goodness! And thank you for the inspiration! 😌😊 Have a great day! And happy birthday! 🎂🎈

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks so much, and I believe in you! What art dreams are you currently pursuing?

[@ClefairyFairySnowflake]

@TheArtMentor I'm trying to improve my art, so that I can become a manga/ comic book artist. Or a children's book author. Something like that.

[@PilferpupCartoons]

Really appreciate the encouraging inspiring advice from other artists like you! Always reminds us to stay strong when its tough. Especially for 30+, times racing by, cant believe its already almost 2025. Im still stuck in 2019. Love your content!

[@TheArtMentor]

So glad to hear this helped! It's easy to be discouraged by what we haven't done instead of inspired by what we want to do, isn't it? Keep your mind right!

[@whowhat.wherewhen]

Happy Birthday!!! . Been working for the last four years on teaching myself how to really draw and not just copy other people's lines and pretend that that is what I want to draw. I sat myself down and started to draw the things that i loved. I will be 36 in about two months and your video makes me excited to dream up and work on the things i thought were on that train that left the station in my early 20's. Thank you! And have a Happy Birthday!!!!! ❤🎉❤

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks so much! And yeah you can definitely enjoy your art and build a great future! Just don't let anyone tell you that you missed the train, okay?

[@Wendy_de_Boer]

Happy birthday! I thought you were at least half a decade younger, haha! I'm turning 43 myself next week. 🥳 I've been grinding on my art since 2020. Despite putting in a solid 15 hours per week consistently, I do often feel frustrated that at this rate it might take me another 20 years to get to where I really want to be. 😱

[@TheArtMentor]

Oh wow hearing that was the best gift ever. Please tell me more about how young I look, I need to hear that 😂 You're making great strides! I see you in the discord server too. Just imagine what it'll be when you reach your highest peak, which we all want to be at!

[@guiltedrose]

Happy birthday Sean! 🎉

[@TheArtMentor]

thanks!

[@LadyBlair.S]

One of my personal struggles is just not being able to stay on target. Always dropping projects for other projects, either because I learned that I don't like it or I feel like it has no chance of success.

[@TheArtMentor]

Have you considered that both of those concerns stem from your fear and lack of commitment to them? It's easier to drop and start something else, so what would happen if you just stuck it out instead of getting distracted? I bet you'd impress yourself!

[@coyoteinthepool]

I really like your take on things, and I totally agree. I think the messaging on self care needs a lot of work, and i dont personally know how to change it to best express the concept. As you say, a lot of it gets misunderstood as just self-coddling or used as an excuse to not push onself, which is definitely not helpful. The self care that has been incredibly helpful for me, has been to set my alarm for 6:30am or 8am depending on my schedule, head right out to the gym or a walk, and then work at a coffee shop right after. I would hardly call that coddling, but I have also been a lot choosier about what contracts I take, and invitations I accept, and focusing on making absolute sure that I get enough sleep, and saying no to things that my inner compass says are bad. I figure that I cannot produce good quality art or other services if I am not well slept, healthy, and emotionally centred. This has increased the quality and volume of my work, but I cant think of a way to explain it to another that doesnt open it up to being used as an excuse for laziness. I have definitely run into clients of mine who I tried to make allowances for accessibility, and they then didn't follow through on anything.

[@TheArtMentor]

That's an awesome TRUE self-care routine! I hope everyone watching this also reads your habits and considers how they can be a rockstar like you! Thanks so much for watching and I'm thrilled to hear you got this out of this video!

[@ryvyr]

Happy Birthday ^^ I am less than a year a part, and have been in/out of uni for over a decade chipping away at eventual phd, off/on art for almost as long. Goal is to draw for my students and anyone to give them a smile.

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks so much for saying so! What about your own art goals outside of your students? Speaking as an educator, it's really important to fuel yourself before fueling others

[@gabudaichamuda2545]

Happy birthday Sean. Surprise! I turned 38 today. I'm kind of having trouble mustering the "Fuck you" energy to really dig my heels into my art. I've been programmed to believe the words "You can't" for so long, that it's held me back since I turned 24 years old. 14 years. I struggled from 24 to 31 before I finally started to draw consistently. Then after I moved, I listened to another six years of my uncle, my grandmother, and my uncle's family shooting me down. Even my current boss has jumped on the bandwagon.

[@TheArtMentor]

Happy birthday to you as well! It's hard to shut out those voices, but just make sure you work to prove them wrong! I struggled similarly

[@thisistherun4015]

Great video! I've done some reflection on the amount of time I've spent on other hobbies like gaming and feel that similar efforts in art will help to fulfill me without really costing me enjoyment. For me it's a matter of resisting the pressure to stay practiced and to enjoy winning and losing for what it is. Looking forward to the next video on this topic.

[@TheArtMentor]

Great to hear that this helped! I'm making a more specific and actionable advice video on this topic soon. How does that sound?

[@fumoshi1]

I've found the "Take your time for your art, you have plenty of time" advice the most toxic one

[@TheArtMentor]

Why is that toxic? Would you prefer to believe that you're a failure because "you're too old"?

[@friendlyneighborhoodartist]

happy birthdayyyy happy birthdayyyyy happy happyyyy birthday to you :D

[@TheArtMentor]

Haha thanks I hear the beautiful singing tone of this across the internet

[@friendlyneighborhoodartist]

@@TheArtMentor

[@sandcastle84]

Happy birthday Sean! This is Sandforte on the server 👋keep doing what you do best, and have a great celebration!

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks so much, and I'm thrilled to see you here as well!

[@SpaceDetectiveTravis]

Damn, never expected to see this video. Started back drawing at 26 after irl stuff stopping art for a decade and at 30 now and still at it. Update: Okay the timing wasn't intentional, I swear, but what I said matched up perfectly with 2:48

[@zetta1234]

Exact same story for me lol

[@TheArtMentor]

Good for you! Keep it up, my friend!

[@willychongzhiwei6245]

My dream, is to create a semi soft sci-fi, FULL COLOR Mecha comic/manga. I already start working and showcase it. Happy Birthday my man.

[@TheArtMentor]

Wow sounds awesome! I wish you lots of luck and hard work on that! And thank you!

[@mefexv]

Happy Birthday sir!

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks so much!

[@ywlumaris]

Happy birthday! I think I’m on a slow track but i appreciate hearing your perspectives :)

[@TheArtMentor]

A slow track is better than a dead track without any movement, isn't it? and thank you!

[@king_koby9591]

Happy birthday bro

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks!

[@Jade3381]

Happy Bday!!!!

[@TheArtMentor]

thanks so much!

[@monkemonkerson5620]

Raising a family as a 30 something millennial makes the challenge even greater to dedicate time to the craft, but life and fortune are never easy. One day, one hour at a time.

[@TheArtMentor]

Exactly! I can relate so much. But most importantly, let's succeed FOR our families instead of failing BECAUSE of our families, right?💪

[@monkemonkerson5620]

@TheArtMentor Love it! Thanks for the relatable content!

[@Zheaa_Touch]

Happy birthday 🎉

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks so much!

[@westwaysable]

me wondering if The Art Mentor saw my video before I deleted it lol. I literally just made a video about feeling regret or remorse for not being where I want to be. at 28. one of my goals is to be one of THE Top artist of the world while I'm alive. I know that seems like a ridiculous goal. but it helps push me to be where I want to be. I want to be on the level of my favorite artist. and I just cant stop until I get there.

[@TheArtMentor]

Haha no I don''t believe I watched that! How did it do, and why did you delete it? It sounds like a fantastic and necessary take artists would appreciate!

[@half.lazy0370]

Happy birthday

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks!

[@WedgyBlue]

I'm not *30* yet, I am feel exciting because what could be my looks like not only that how many subscriber and followers do I have!

[@TheArtMentor]

great perspective!

[@johnnyy9545]

😂 happy birthday, Sean!

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks!

[@veggsbacon1891]

11:13 - 11:52 Well said, sir. Narcissists & such will never understand your based quote because they think the world owes them favors and excuses. Nah. They need to work hard to be rewarded.

[@TheArtMentor]

It's hard to take that truth for so many artists, isn't it?

[@SimicChameleon]

You look professional and organized person vibe at age 39.

[@TheArtMentor]

Glad to hear that! Did this video help you with this concern as well?

[@SimicChameleon]

@@TheArtMentor Yes, it helps me know that life is bigger and it not over yet. So I got schaum outline and other udemy set for stem goal. Wonder what books you use for painting skills. I been up to do half tones and other cartoon artwork. I am excited of college and education.

[@dusky10101]

Can this work if you are old and also chronically depressed?

[@TheArtMentor]

Of course. Have you also considered how that limiting belief is holding you back though? I made a whole video about it if you're interested

[@SimicChameleon]

I will be 28 in nov 17 and happy birthday for you.

[@hannahkennelly6961]

My dream project is to write and illustrate novels.

[@TheArtMentor]

Awesome! What steps are you taking to pursue that?

[@hannahkennelly6961]

@TheArtMentor Ive been working on a first draft and writing ideas for other stories down, and have been trying to improve my art and drawings and leaning more lately.

[@wwm84]

8:00 Me, currently playing WoW:

[@Francis.arts10]

Hello sir I love your channel. Just happened to subscribe now, cause you are really good. Please I would really your guidance sir.

[@TheArtMentor]

thanks for the support!

[@faithfaraday]

"Old" is over 30? Dude, I'm over 50. You're a spring chicken.

[@TheArtMentor]

That's how many artists view themselves, are you aware?

[@Francis.arts10]

Please sir I am 19 years of age and I want to have the type of success you have. Please sir I AM WILLING TO LEARN. And I want it privately from you sir. Please respond🙏🏾

[@TheArtMentor]

Sounds great! Follow the link in my description to learn about my mentorship

[@Silver77cyn]

You're 39!? I though you were in your mid-20's!

[@TheArtMentor]

Oh wow you are my favorite person today! 😆

[@forvsol]

Maybe 5% of people will be lucky enough, rest of us will die unhappy knowing we were tricked into believing we could create art. I'm 33, my life ended when I lost my job in june now my only hope is to die soon. AI took most of creative jobs already. There's no hope but it's hard to accept.

[@TheArtMentor]

Why so negative? I'm sorry to hear you're down on your circumstances, but what good does that do you, my friend? Luck isn't gifted, it's made by choices. More effort = more chances

[@rcguy2175]

i dont see your discord link

[@TheArtMentor]

It's in the video description. Let me know if you can't find it

[@ArtOfRavenD]

Happy birthday! I'm also in my 30s.

[@TheArtMentor]

Thanks! Do you relate this these points as well?

[@ArtOfRavenD]

@TheArtMentor yeah, I relate to many of them.... and sometimes I wish I would've been more active and maybe I'd be somewhere by now.

[@Francis.arts10]

Please sir I am 19 years of age and I want to have the type of success you have. Please sir I AM WILLING TO LEARN. And I want it privately from you sir. Please respond🙏🏾