practical living
Aspiring painter finds his true colours
A former corporate high-flyer
abandons his career for the
sake of art – at the age of 65.
Mike Staniford interviewed
by Megan Tran
A
fter a high-profile corporate role, Mike Staniford left his
job to pursue his dream of being an artist and recently
opened his first solo exhibition, aged 65.
Before becoming a full-time artist, Staniford was an international
creative director in the branding industry, where he worked with
CEOs and senior management of major corporations across Asia.
While he enjoyed his fast-paced career in design, it wasn’t his
passion. As he grew older, he came to the realisation that the
22 agedcareinsite.com.au
clock was ticking on his opportunity to pursue his love of art, and
in 2016 he gave in to a long-held desire to rediscover his creative
side and became a full-time artist.
He says transitioning into his new career wasn’t easy, with one
of the hardest challenges being the mental adjustment from
leading and directing teams to being a lone creative voice.
You’re never too old to learn, try or achieve, particularly in the
art world, Staniford says. “I’m about 10 years away from being at
my peak in painting, and I seriously believe that.”
He advised older people to give things a go – an attitude that
was reaffirmed by a recent visit from famous Australian painter
Guy Warren. The artist walked into Staniford’s studio and told him
that people are never too old to experiment, and to stay curious.
Staniford recently presented his exhibition, Contours, a collection
of landscape paintings that explore the contours of the land, at
‘me Artspace’ in St Leonards, Sydney.
Aged Care Insite spoke with Staniford to hear what it’s like to
enter a new career as an older adult.