Mary Granville Delany: She Invented the Art of Mixed Media Collage at Age 71
At age 17, Mary Granville Delany was married off to a ogre who died and left her penniless seven years later. Yet at 43, she completely reinvented her life.
Late-Blooming Women
Women hold the world together. That often means we put others’ needs before our own. The decades may pass and children become adults before we can truly embrace our creativity. I created this archive to honor and inspire our second, third, and even fourth acts. It’s truly never too late!
Julia Margaret Cameron: She Received a Camera at 48 and Transformed the Art of Portrait Photography
At age 48, Julia Margaret Cameron taught herself to use a new invention, the camera. She produced over 900 luminous images in her lifetime.
Freya Stark: A Freak Accident Inspired Her to Become a Late-Blooming Explorer
Freya Stark has been called “the last of the romantic explorers.” She lived to 100, but didn’t start her adventures until age 35, after many hardships.
Liz Smith: “I’ve never considered a facelift because I earn my living by looking old”
Liz Smith (not the gossip columnist) is a beloved English character actor who got her first break at age 50 and went on to co-star with Johnny Depp and Patrick Stewart.
Penelope Fitzgerald: England’s Most Famous Unknown Author Started Writing in Her 50s
The Guardian UK has called Fitzgerald “one of the finest British novelists of the last century.” She started writing in her late 50s and won the Booker Prize at age 63.
Grandma Moses: This Doyenne of Outsider Art Didn’t Start Painting Until Age 78
“Painting’s not important. The important thing is keeping busy.” Grandma Moses acquired her wisdom from 101 years of living, the last 25 spent as an iconic painter.