--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Starving artist' is acceptable at age 20…" description: "\"Starving artist' is acceptable at age 20, suspect at age 40, and problematical at age 60.\" — Robert Genn" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/robert-genn-2179_acceptable_starving-artist-is-acceptable-at-age-20_1258318.png" --- # Starving artist' is acceptable at age 20, suspect at age… ![“Starving artist' is acceptable at age 20, suspect at age 40, and problematical at age 60.” quote by Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/robert-genn-2179_acceptable_starving-artist-is-acceptable-at-age-20_1258318.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/robert-genn-2179_acceptable_starving-artist-is-acceptable-at-age-20_1258318.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/robert-genn-2179_acceptable_starving-artist-is-acceptable-at-age-20_1258318.png) > “Starving artist' is acceptable at age 20, suspect at age 40, and problematical at age 60.” [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that creative struggle is romanticized when young but becomes a concern as one ages, implying societal expectations shift over time. **In simple terms:** Creative struggle is praised when young, seen as a problem when older. Key Takeaway Recognize and address changing expectations. Themes aging creativity ageism career life stages Mood reflective critical thoughtful Type advice observation commentary When to use this quote - young artists - mid‑career professionals - late‑career creators - financial planning - mental health Key Concepts societal pressure self‑valuation aging norms Questions to Reflect On - How do you view creative work at different ages? - What societal pressures influence this view? A Different Perspective It may oversimplify personal circumstances and ignore systemic factors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art/) [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Starving artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starving-artist/) [Survival](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/survival/) ## Related quotes > [I was a starving artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erika-jayne/i-was-a-starving-artist/) [Erika Jayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erika-jayne/) > [I remembered my New Orleans days, living on two five-cent candy bars a day for weeks at a time in order to have leisure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/i-remembered-my-new-orleans-days-living-on-two-five-cent-candy-bars-a/) [Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/) > [When you're a starving artist, you make do. It didn't matter that I didn't know where my rent was coming from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tanya-saracho/when-you-re-a-starving-artist-you-make-do-it-didn-t-matter-that-i/) [Tanya Saracho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tanya-saracho/) > [It's really hard to find materials. Also, prices of metal have gone completely through the roof, insanely expensive. And if you go to a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/z-ev/it-s-really-hard-to-find-materials-also-prices-of-metal-have-gone/) [Z'EV](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/z-ev/) > [A starving artist has only so many brush stokes before he fades away...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-victor-paskavich/a-starving-artist-has-only-so-many-brush-stokes-before-he-fades-away/) [Stanley Victor Paskavich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-victor-paskavich/) > [Somehow, the French got this idea of the starving artist. Very romantic, except it's not so romantic for the starving artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-lynch/somehow-the-french-got-this-idea-of-the-starving-artist-very-romantic/) [David Lynch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-lynch/) > [I didn't really go the starving-artist route. I kind of went and did massive, commercial things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashton-kutcher/i-didn-t-really-go-the-starving-artist-route-i-kind-of-went-and-did/) [Ashton Kutcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashton-kutcher/) > [“If you see me sitting at a dining room table with a clean plate and bowl in front of me, you’ll know it’s because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/if-you-see-me-sitting-at-a-dining-room-table-with-a-clean-plate-and/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [In college I took an acting class as a joke. It sounded like something fun and easy at the time. I had originally wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-graziadei/in-college-i-took-an-acting-class-as-a-joke-it-sounded-like-something/) [Michael Graziadei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-graziadei/) > [In my early days, I was about 145 pounds. I was really a starving artist; the poster child for starving artists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/creed-bratton/in-my-early-days-i-was-about-145-pounds-i-was-really-a-starving/) [Creed Bratton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/creed-bratton/) > [I'm an entrepreneur, a businessman. I've got a lot of money, and that doesn't go very well with the whole 'starving artist in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/i-m-an-entrepreneur-a-businessman-i-ve-got-a-lot-of-money-and-that/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [I was planning on being a starving artist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-hillenburg/i-was-planning-on-being-a-starving-artist/) [Stephen Hillenburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-hillenburg/) > [For the starving artist, opportunity is a must - for the weary dreamer procrastination is disgust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rukiya-productions/for-the-starving-artist-opportunity-is-a-must-for-the-weary-dreamer/) Rukiya Productions > [When I was writing my first novel a friend told me I should apply for a grant from the government that was offered to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vince-flynn/when-i-was-writing-my-first-novel-a-friend-told-me-i-should-apply-for/) [Vince Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vince-flynn/) > [I'm transitioning from being a starving artist. My producers had success outside of the Daniel Caesar brand, so they invested money, time and resources.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-caesar/i-m-transitioning-from-being-a-starving-artist-my-producers-had/) [Daniel Caesar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-caesar/) ## More by Robert Genn > [We artists give daily thanks for the miracle of our planet and for the inclination and the capability to honour it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/we-artists-give-daily-thanks-for-the-miracle-of-our-planet-and-for/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Most of my contemporary grant-getters are now doing something other than painting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/most-of-my-contemporary-grant-getters-are-now-doing-something-other/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Pushing yourself to extremes blows out the cobwebs of trusted habit. It shakes up what you know to be reliably safe and substitutes the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/pushing-yourself-to-extremes-blows-out-the-cobwebs-of-trusted-habit/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Keep busy while you are waiting for something to happen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/keep-busy-while-you-are-waiting-for-something-to-happen/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Art is a course in personal development that has no reliable diploma and no known end. The pursuit of art instructs in beauty as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/art-is-a-course-in-personal-development-that-has-no-reliable-diploma/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Great paintings have gradations, large and small... They serve to lift the subject off the two-dimensionality of the canvas. Gradations are an essential abstract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/great-paintings-have-gradations-large-and-small-they-serve-to-lift/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Take your brush here and there like a bee in an alpine meadow. In other words, don't laboriously work on or try to finish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/take-your-brush-here-and-there-like-a-bee-in-an-alpine-meadow-in/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Evolved creators are just as curious about their failures as they are of their successes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/evolved-creators-are-just-as-curious-about-their-failures-as-they-are/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Art is a path on which we honour our world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/art-is-a-path-on-which-we-honour-our-world/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [With repetition, the alternate approaches become clear, options open.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/with-repetition-the-alternate-approaches-become-clear-options-open/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [When shucked and released from its edges, the windowless subject stands alone as its own thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/when-shucked-and-released-from-its-edges-the-windowless-subject/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Mountains in all their moods are symbols of something greater, something worth aspiring to. Mountains are powerful, dangerous, beautiful, noble and mysterious. Mountains get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/mountains-in-all-their-moods-are-symbols-of-something-greater/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [Our bodies, apart from their brilliant role as drawing exercises, are the temples of our being. Like the bodies of all fauna, they deserve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/our-bodies-apart-from-their-brilliant-role-as-drawing-exercises-are/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [When I'm in the studio I often hunger for the road. And when away I long for the efficiency of the studio.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/when-i-m-in-the-studio-i-often-hunger-for-the-road-and-when-away-i/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [In life and art it's better to be an enthusiastic amateur than a jaded professional.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/in-life-and-art-it-s-better-to-be-an-enthusiastic-amateur-than-a/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) [Explore all 181 Robert Genn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) ## More Acceptable quotes > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [I remember being a kid and seeing the 'National Inquirer' at the grocery store checkout line. 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It furnishes examples of holy living, and displays…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-howard-taft/the-study-of-freemasonry-is-the-study-of-man-as-a-candidate-for-a/) [William Howard Taft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-howard-taft/) > [Or why it is acceptable to train fast runners and high jumpers but not to breed them. I can think of some answers, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/or-why-it-is-acceptable-to-train-fast-runners-and-high-jumpers-but/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [As the future is never known with certainty, the evaluation of the prospective benefits requires the formation of expectations. An acceptable house, partner or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-t-mortensen/as-the-future-is-never-known-with-certainty-the-evaluation-of-the/) [Dale T. Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-t-mortensen/) > [If a man is pictured chopping off a woman's breast, it only gets an R rating; but if, God forbid, a man is pictured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-struthers/if-a-man-is-pictured-chopping-off-a-woman-s-breast-it-only-gets-an-r/) Sally Struthers > [We cannot guess the outcome of our actions... Which is why our actions must always be acceptable in themselves, and not as strategies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-heilbrun/we-cannot-guess-the-outcome-of-our-actions-which-is-why-our-actions/) [Carolyn Heilbrun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-heilbrun/) > [In any case, open-seat presidential elections like 2008 just are different in character from incumbent reelects, and I think that's the most important thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kristol/in-any-case-open-seat-presidential-elections-like-2008-just-are/) [William Kristol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kristol/) > [It's horrible how money and fame can make you acceptable while, if you're not famous or rich, you're not acceptable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-tonioli/it-s-horrible-how-money-and-fame-can-make-you-acceptable-while-if-you/) [Bruno Tonioli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-tonioli/) > [I disagree with the prevailing point of view of some black leaders that special treatment for blacks is acceptable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-thomas/i-disagree-with-the-prevailing-point-of-view-of-some-black-leaders/) [Clarence Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-thomas/) > [We get used to a certain kind of colour of form or format, and it's acceptable. 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