Every time I look in the mirror, I see it. Gray hair. And generally, it doesn’t bother me…much. When I think about how many of my friends have lost their hair over time, I convince myself that I’m one of the fortunate ones. But the increasingly gray locks that keep sprouting upon my cerebellum has become the unceasing reminder that I’m not the young man I once was.

Sigh. I’m as old as I’ve ever been.

Dr. Leo Esaki, a Nobel Laureate, asserts, “…Most of the great discoveries and innovations by the Nobel Laureates occurred at the average age of 32 even though the Nobel prizes were awarded 10 or 20 years afterwards. Furthermore, peak creativity of most scientists occurred around the age range of 20 to 30 years. As one gets older, the experience increases but the creativity decreases steadily with the age.“ Dr. Sing Lin, quoting Dr. Esaki in his paper, “Optimum Strategies for Creativity and Longevity,” concludes, “The most precious, creative and innovative period in your life is the 10-year period around the age of 32.”  He goes so far as to imply that one should plan for one’s creativity to wane and to be prepared for other roles as you mature in your career.

Of course, this study looked specifically at creativity as it related to the sciences and technology. But does this also apply to artists as well?

Maybe to some degree. Certainly for dancers and performing artists whose bodies are their art, the unyielding passage of time robs some of us of aspects of our artistic ability. Dancers eventually become choreographers, athletes become coaches, actors’ roles evolve over time. I’ve been diagnosed with arthritis in my wrists, and I worry how this will affect my ability to play the piano now and into the future. Old eyes, old ears, and old hands can hamper many an artist.

But in my experience—and in those of many of my friends—creativity isn’t concomitant to chronological age. I have several older friends and acquaintances who are each experiencing a prolific period in their artistic lives right now. A full-time mixed-media artist and educator finding new inspiration. An electric guitar player who is rediscovering jazz. A painter finding new passion in her oils. Another musician friend who just launched a local songwriter collective. My senior neighbor who purchased a new piano. And another senior neighbor who has found new life as an amazing wood sculptor. All of these people are way beyond their twenties.

I’m finding myself in one of those creative periods right now. As I type this blogpost, I’m sitting in the control room at GS Studios, mixing down a worship album of original music. My company, WalkaBout Music, just released a new exciting WalkaBout Drum model last Christmas. I’m finding myself filling my soul sails through a smooth jazz group I’m now playing in. And as I’m in the process of putting together the next Intersections: Faith & Art Conference in May 2026, I’m finding myself excited and energized all over again by the depth and variety of artists of faith I get to rub shoulders with. So at least for now, I don’t necessarily buy into the idea that creativity and age are related.

I will say though, that what drove me as a young man is very different than what drives me now. I think that, in my younger years, I was driven by somewhat more egocentric things—like fame and approval and identity. These were not nefarious agendas by any means, so much as they were simply part of learning how to be human. It is the job of all young people to try to make a difference in the world. But as I’ve matured over the years, I’m understanding more and more that creativity is no more nor less than the simple willingness to be open to the possibility. And that possibility, whatever it is, can be found at the end of a paintbrush, the other end of a camera lens, at the tip of a ballerina’s shoe, or at the bell end of a saxophone.

There’s a term for this posture of openness: To be in Wonder.

If this is true—and I have a sneaking suspicion it is—then maybe, just maybe, if we keep our hearts young and learn to embrace the wonder that’s all around us, creativity can happen at any age.

Don’t ever be so old that you can’t look at a starlit night sky or a newborn baby or a new art work, and not feel wonder. Be curious. Be willing to try new things and learn new things. Listen to new music, view new art, experience new things. Surround yourself with other creatives who share the passion. Embrace your evolving limitations as part of the creative process. And above all, be in wonder.

[Banner photo by Elimende Inagella on Unsplash. Inside photo by Daniel Tuttle on Unsplash.]