--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I didn't start to be an artist myself…" description: "\"I didn't start to be an artist myself until I was 24.\" — Kiki Smith" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/975/kiki-smith-10643_art_i-didn-t-start-to-be-an-artist-myself-un_676021.jpg" --- # I didn't start to be an artist myself until I was 24. ![“I didn't start to be an artist myself until I was 24.” quote by Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/975/kiki-smith-10643_art_i-didn-t-start-to-be-an-artist-myself-un_676021.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/975/kiki-smith-10643_art_i-didn-t-start-to-be-an-artist-myself-un_676021.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/975/kiki-smith-10643_art_i-didn-t-start-to-be-an-artist-myself-un_676021.jpg) > “I didn't start to be an artist myself until I was 24.” [Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She began her artistic practice at age 24, indicating a later start in her creative career. **In simple terms:** Started art at 24, not early. Key Takeaway It’s never too late to pursue a creative path. Themes creativity career timing self‑discovery Mood encouraging reflective Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - career change - education - personal growth - mentorship programs Key Concepts late bloom artistic development Questions to Reflect On - What barriers delayed your start? - How can late starters leverage life experience? A Different Perspective May underestimate early influences or prior experiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) ## Related quotes > [You really need to stop Googling yourself and start being an artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-palomo/you-really-need-to-stop-googling-yourself-and-start-being-an-artist/) [Alan Palomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-palomo/) > [You start out as an artist in some way or other. And my background is all theater, and I goofed into doing TV comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-hall/you-start-out-as-an-artist-in-some-way-or-other-and-my-background-is/) [Brad Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-hall/) > [My life honestly didn't start until I got married and had kids.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-matheson/my-life-honestly-didn-t-start-until-i-got-married-and-had-kids/) [Tim Matheson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-matheson/) > [I've never started beef with anybody that didn't start with me first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cam-ron/i-ve-never-started-beef-with-anybody-that-didn-t-start-with-me-first/) [Cam'ron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cam-ron/) > [But long story short, I didn't start doing stand-up because I wanted to have a TV show or be an actor or even wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/but-long-story-short-i-didn-t-start-doing-stand-up-because-i-wanted/) [Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/) > [I didn't start playing piano until I was 18.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-winston/i-didn-t-start-playing-piano-until-i-was-18/) [George Winston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-winston/) > [“A friendship that can be ended didn't ever start.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mellin-de-saint-gelais/a-friendship-that-can-be-ended-didn-t-ever-start/) Mellin de Saint-Gelais > [Actually, I didn't start sweating until I had children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-grohl/actually-i-didn-t-start-sweating-until-i-had-children/) [Dave Grohl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-grohl/) > [I didn't start my career or, really, my life before I came to Florida.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-didn-t-start-my-career-or-really-my-life-before-i-came-to-florida/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“I realize that I didn’t start breathing until him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-towle/i-realize-that-i-didn-t-start-breathing-until-him/) [Samantha Towle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-towle/) > [We didn't start out to make a protest record at all. That would have been too shallow. As usual, it was simply a case…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-yorke/we-didn-t-start-out-to-make-a-protest-record-at-all-that-would-have/) [Thom Yorke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-yorke/) > [I always had an interest in MMA but I didn't start training until I was 21.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/artem-lobov/i-always-had-an-interest-in-mma-but-i-didn-t-start-training-until-i/) [Artem Lobov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/artem-lobov/) > [I didn't start my whole rookie year.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-gonzalez/i-didn-t-start-my-whole-rookie-year/) [Tony Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-gonzalez/) > [I didn't start in the music business to make money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/porter-wagoner/i-didn-t-start-in-the-music-business-to-make-money/) [Porter Wagoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/porter-wagoner/) > [I didn't start a war. Nobody died.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boris-becker/i-didn-t-start-a-war-nobody-died/) [Boris Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boris-becker/) ## More by Kiki Smith > [ It was a very economically depressed time \[the 80s\] and because of that, there was a lot of space. Everything was relatively dilapidated, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/it-was-a-very-economically-depressed-time-the-80s-and-because-of-that/) [Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-smith/) > [I first had no interest in figuration whatsoever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/i-first-had-no-interest-in-figuration-whatsoever/) [Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-smith/) > [I got into animals by drawing hair follicles. I liked drawing hair, and from that I got into feathers and fur, then into images…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/i-got-into-animals-by-drawing-hair-follicles-i-liked-drawing-hair-and/) [Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-smith/) > [Artists live in unknown spaces and give themselves over to following something unknown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/artists-live-in-unknown-spaces-and-give-themselves-over-to-following/) [Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-smith/) > [We as beings are very contradictory, complicated creatures that work in our best interest and against our best interest. In a certain way, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/we-as-beings-are-very-contradictory-complicated-creatures-that-work/) [Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-smith/) > [I think that sense of always traveling has something to do with anonymity and privacy and pleasure in having a very clear, very reductive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/i-think-that-sense-of-always-traveling-has-something-to-do-with/) [Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-smith/) > [Art is a reflection of everything that impacts your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/art-is-a-reflection-of-everything-that-impacts-your-life/) [Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-smith/) > [When you get older, you're running out of time. You care more about trying to stay on the planet a little longer, so you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/when-you-get-older-you-re-running-out-of-time-you-care-more-about/) [Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-smith/) > [You start with a generic body, but I think the first wall you hit with portraiture is comprised of history and storytelling and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/you-start-with-a-generic-body-but-i-think-the-first-wall-you-hit-with/) [Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-smith/) > [I'm not moving from an ideological standpoint. Sometimes I'm trying to make my life better. Sometimes I'm trying to make my life worse! I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/i-m-not-moving-from-an-ideological-standpoint-sometimes-i-m-trying-to/) [Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-smith/) > [My work life makes much less sense now than 20 years ago. It's Humpty-Dumpty-like in a way; I can't put the pieces back together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/my-work-life-makes-much-less-sense-now-than-20-years-ago-it-s-humpty/) [Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-smith/) > [Prints mimic what we are as humans: we are all the same and yet every one is different. I think there's a spiritual power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/prints-mimic-what-we-are-as-humans-we-are-all-the-same-and-yet-every/) [Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-smith/) > [I think that objects have memories. I’m always thinking that I’ll go to the museum and see something and have a big memory about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/i-think-that-objects-have-memories-i-m-always-thinking-that-i-ll-go/) [Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-smith/) > [Sometimes your personal life is much more significant. Sometimes your work life is more significant. Friends and family, or sometimes the general population, take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/sometimes-your-personal-life-is-much-more-significant-sometimes-your/) [Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-smith/) > [Making art is a lot about just seeing what happens if you put some energy into something.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/making-art-is-a-lot-about-just-seeing-what-happens-if-you-put-some/) [Kiki Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-smith/) [Explore all 64 Kiki Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-smith/) ## More Art quotes > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before Noah, men having only water to drink, could not find the truth. Accordingly...they became abominably wicked, and they were justly exterminated by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/before-noah-men-having-only-water-to-drink-could-not-find-the-truth/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [“Hear the sum of the whole matter in the compass of one brief word — every art possessed by man comes from Prometheus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aeschylus/hear-the-sum-of-the-whole-matter-in-the-compass-of-one-brief-word/) [Aeschylus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aeschylus/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [The capacity to be puzzled is the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-fromm/the-capacity-to-be-puzzled-is-the-premise-of-all-creation-be-it-in/) [Erich Fromm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-fromm/) > [That's the great secret of creativity. You treat ideas like cats: you make them follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/that-s-the-great-secret-of-creativity-you-treat-ideas-like-cats-you/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) Taf Teh > [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/) [Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/) > [During human progress, every science is evolved out of its corresponding art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/during-human-progress-every-science-is-evolved-out-of-its/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [In literature and art memory is a synonym for invention. It is the life-blood of imagination, which faints and dies when the veins are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-aris-willmott/in-literature-and-art-memory-is-a-synonym-for-invention-it-is-the/) [Robert Aris Willmott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-aris-willmott/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [“The only thing--I tell you this straight from the heart--that disgusts me in Salzburg is that one can't have any proper social intercourse with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/the-only-thing-i-tell-you-this-straight-from-the-heart-that-disgusts/) [Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wolfgang-amadeus-mozart/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) [Browse all 48,643 Art quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I didn't start to be an artist myself until I was 24.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kiki Smith" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/i-didn-t-start-to-be-an-artist-myself-until-i-was-24/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Art" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/i-didn-t-start-to-be-an-artist-myself-until-i-was-24/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/975/kiki-smith-10643_art_i-didn-t-start-to-be-an-artist-myself-un_676021.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/975/kiki-smith-10643_art_i-didn-t-start-to-be-an-artist-myself-un_676021.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/975/kiki-smith-10643_art_i-didn-t-start-to-be-an-artist-myself-un_676021.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I didn't start to be an artist myself until I was 24.” — Kiki Smith", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Kiki Smith", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiki-smith/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I didn't start to be an...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/i-didn-t-start-to-be-an-artist-myself-until-i-was-24/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiki-smith/i-didn-t-start-to-be-an-artist-myself-until-i-was-24/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```