🎨 Passion Doesn’t Retire: How I Became a Better Artist at 78 When most people hit their late 70s, they think about slowing down. Me? I picked up my paintbrush, grabbed my imagination, and discovered

🎨 Passion Doesn’t Retire: How I Became a Better Artist at 78

When most people hit their late 70s, they think about slowing down. Me? I picked up my paintbrush, grabbed my imagination, and discovered that passion doesn’t care how many candles are on your cake.

At 78, I didn’t just return to art—I fell in love with it all over again. And guess what? It gave me more creativity, deeper friendships, a stronger marriage, and goals that keep me excited every single day.

Here are 5 steps I’ve learned about keeping the passion for art alive at any age.

🖌️ Step 1: Embrace the “Late Bloom”

Finding your passion at 78 is like finding a $20 bill in an old jacket—you can’t believe it’s been hiding there all along. Age isn’t a deadline, it’s just a number in the corner of the canvas.

👉 Audience Question: What’s something you started later in life that surprised you?

👥 Step 2: Paint With People in Your Corner

Art isn’t a lonely road—it’s a team sport with cheerleaders, fellow creators, and friends who see what you see (even when it looks like “a blue blob” to them). My circle of friendships has grown because of art—and laughter is the glue that keeps us together.

👉 Audience Challenge: Tag someone who cheers you on no matter what you’re creating.

😂 Step 3: Find the Funny in the Mess

Not every painting is a masterpiece. Some are “happy accidents.” Others are just… accidents. But if you can laugh at your art, you’ll always come back for more. Humor keeps creativity alive—and makes the whole process more fun.

👉 Audience Participation: Drop a 🎨 if you’ve ever made something so bad you wanted to frame it anyway.

❤️ Step 4: Let Art Strengthen Your Relationships

Art gave me a fresh spark in my marriage. Sharing ideas, talking about colors, or even just laughing about my “creative disasters” brought us closer. Passion isn’t just about the work—it’s about who shares it with you.

👉 Audience Question: Couples—what’s one activity (art or not) that’s brought you closer together?

🎯 Step 5: Set Goals That Keep You Excited

At 78, I’ve got more goals than ever: finish that canvas, design a bold new piece, maybe even see my work in someone else’s living room. Goals—big or small—keep the spark alive.

👉 Audience Challenge: What’s one creative goal you want to tackle this week?

✨ Final Brushstroke

Art isn’t about age—it’s about energy, joy, and the courage to keep putting color on the canvas. My late-life passion has given me new friendships, a stronger marriage, and a reason to wake up every day excited to create.

So here’s my reminder to you: it’s never too late to find your passion. The canvas is always waiting.

👤 About the Artist

Mike Margolis is a Phoenix-based artist who rediscovered his passion for painting at the age of 78. His work reflects humor, heart, and a lifelong love of color and creativity. When he’s not in the studio, Mike is building friendships, strengthening his marriage, and proving that passion never retires—it just gets bolder.