I started painting at 50 in my recliner - Here's why I haven't stopped

Three years ago I was 50, sitting in a recliner with a $24 Cotman watercolor travel set, no art studio, outdated training and zero confidence. Now I am live-streaming about my heroes series weekly. This is the story of the years in between.

THE RECLINER DAYS

It was a Friday in August 2022 and I was invited to participate in an online group exercise called "10 minute art". I rushed out earlier that day to get a small watercolor set because I didn't have viable art supplies to join in. That night I painted with the small kit paint brush; a loose rendering of an octopus. I was elated to get compliments and high praise for it. It was the impetus I needed to shrug off the paralysis of my perfectionism fears and try, try again.

I didn't know what to paint next and didn't know how, so I tried to paint a sunflower (easy, right? Just petals and the center, no?). It turned out no better than a kids' coloring by number! But, because I did it in a "sketchbook" and under the auspices of this 10 minute art exercise, I didn't feel the pressure of doing it "professionally" or "perfect." It was only a month later, I was painting from my recliner over a series of evenings my first painting - my White Rose watercolor. It is only 8" x 8" but it was the very first "real" painting and the first one I was proud of. It was then I realized that maybe painting at 50 wasn't too late after all.

"TOO LATE" IS A LIE

I wanted to do more and I decided to paint two more roses: a yellow and a black one with plans to do an entire series. On January 1, 2024 I sold my yellow rose original to someone who asked to buy it! Not only did my website need to function for the potential for more sales, I needed a dedicated art space (other than my recliner).

Because I have guests visit yearly around the holidays, I knew that our spare bedroom could not be turned into an art studio; however, our Library could serve a dual purpose. I would eventually install an art desk, two easels and build up painting supplies into the Library. I would also add some inexpensive videography equipment to assist my learnings into uploading video content of my art journey.

THE TWO SERIES I'M BUILDING

Being a daughter, a sister, a wife, and mother - I've lived long enough to see a horrible trend make inroads into society that says men- especially white, straight men are "toxic." This is a lie and the narrative is dangerous as this society seeks to turn men into effeminate "boys" because masculinity is allegedly "bad." This couldn't be further from the truth and the longer this narrative goes on and goes on unchallenged the greater harm it does to the men in our lives. I have decided that I would represent through my paintings the positive, the needed, and the encouraged strong men in our lives through my "Admirable Masculinity" series where I exhort the characteristics of strong, respectable men through recognizable icons that traditionally (although not exclusively) are male roles. The inaugural piece is my Cowboy painting, the next painting in this series I will be finishing in tomorrow's live stream about The Fireman.

The Cowboy – Hand-signed prints - Admirable Masculinity Series #1

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A second series I am endeavoring to journey through is highlighting lesser known historical figures who have impacted their world, nation and/or culture. Some people whom you may have never heard of left mighty legacies in their wake and their stories must not die. Queen Esther in which my "Such A Time As This" painting is represented saved her people from genocide. Hedy Lamarr, The Inventor was mostly known as a Hollywood starlet, but in reality she was intelligent and developed the foundation technology that serves as precursors to today's wireless technologies. Who else don't we know about? Find out in my series as it progresses!

Such A Time As This (Queen Esther) – Hand-Signed Print | Lesser-Known Heroes

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WHAT'S COMING?

Every Wednesday night at 8pm EST I simulcast a simple 60-90 minute live stream on both YouTube and Rumble, where i chat with friends and followers who watch me paint. This is a huge step forward in that two years ago videography wasn't even a thing for me. Many achievements are just showing up in my rear view mirror but there are many more goals I have outlined: a new painting every 2-4 weeks; participate in 2 art-centric art festivals in 2026 and much more! Want to know when? Where? What? Then subscribe to my blog to receive an email notifications of new, exclusive and advanced notice of content that will answer these questions!

If a new grandmother such as myself can take recliner painting at 50 this far... what's the dream you've been calling 'too late'?

Sincerely,

Stephanie