Historically Significant Self-Taught Second Career Artists
- tmichaelniemanart
- Jan 16
- 3 min read
Many renowned painters and artists were self-taught and began painting professionally as a second career, often after pursuing different paths in life.
Here’s a list of some famous self-taught painters who transitioned to art later in their lives:
Grandma Moses (Anna Mary Robertson Moses)
Previous Career: Homemaker and farmer.
Art Career: Grandma Moses began painting in her 70s after arthritis made it difficult for her to embroider. She became famous for her charming, nostalgic depictions of rural American life.
Henri Rousseau
Previous Career: Customs officer (Tax & Toll Collector).
Art Career: Rousseau began painting seriously in his early 40s after retiring from his job. Despite being self-taught and initially mocked for his "naïve" style, he became celebrated for his imaginative, dreamlike works like “The Sleeping Gypsy” and “The Jungle.”
Bill Traylor
Previous Career: Sharecropper and former enslaved person.
Art Career: Traylor started drawing and painting in his 80s while living on the streets of Montgomery, Alabama. His bold, narrative-driven works are now considered masterpieces of American folk art.
Vincent Van Gogh
Previous Career: Art dealer, teacher, and preacher.
Art Career: Van Gogh began painting in his late 20s after a series of unsuccessful ventures. Despite being largely self-taught, he became one of the most influential painters in history, known for works like “Starry Night” and “Sunflowers”.
Paul Gauguin
Previous Career: Stockbroker.
Art Career: Gauguin began painting in his free time while working in finance but transitioned to painting full-time in his 30s after leaving his job. He became a leading figure in Post-Impressionism, known for his bold use of color and depictions of life in Tahiti.
Maud Lewis
Previous Career: Domestic worker and housekeeper.
Art Career: A self-taught Canadian folk artist, Lewis began painting small works on household items before gaining recognition for her colorful, joyful depictions of rural Nova Scotia.
Morris Graves
Previous Career: Merchant marine and various odd jobs.
Art Career: Graves started painting seriously in his 20s, inspired by his travels and a deep interest in spirituality. He became a prominent figure in the Northwest School of modern art.
Alfred Wallis
Previous Career: Fisherman and marine merchant.
Art Career: Wallis began painting in his late 60s after the death of his wife. His self-taught, instinctive style captured the landscapes and seascapes of his native Cornwall, influencing modern British art.
Horace Pippin
Previous Career: Laborer and soldier in World War I.
Art Career: Pippin began painting in his 30s as a form of therapy for a war injury. His works, often depicting scenes of African American life and history, gained widespread acclaim.
Yayoi Kusama
Previous Career: Worked in her family’s seed business and briefly studied art.
Art Career: Though she had some formal training, Kusama’s career truly blossomed when she left Japan for New York in her late 20s. Her self-directed exploration of polka dots, infinity nets, and installation art revolutionized contemporary art.
These artists demonstrate that creativity and passion for art can flourish at any stage of life, regardless of formal training or prior careers.
Naturally, this does not account for thousands or even perhaps millions of less recognized artists that came into their own late in life, after careers in other fields.
I happen to think that broad life experiences enhance creative ability and increase the our capacity to produce meaningful work, especially if they take the time to develop skills that can be transferable into their art practice.
Academic training can be invaluable to artists in the development of their careers. Those who take the scenic route have plenty to offer the world too. If nothing else, broader life experience can help an artist bring work into the world that’s even more uniquely their own.
Perhaps the most important thing I take away from the biographical stories of these artists is that it is so very important to listen to your gut and be sure to do all you can to create! Create in your way as often as you can.
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