How to reinvent yourself through art, just like Sharon Stone

Have you always dreamt of being an artist but never quite got around to it? Well, it's never too late, and one of our most famous movie actresses is living proof.

Art had always been a vibrant thread woven into the tapestry of Sharon Stone's life. The seeds of her artistic passion were sown in childhood when her Aunt Vonne, a master's degree holder in painting, filled their home with murals, nurturing the youngster's creative spirit. This influence continued into her college years, where she studied painting alongside literature at Edinboro University in Pennsylvania.

Ultimately, though, her acting career took off in a big way, leaving little time for painting. Yet, the creative spark never truly died. She continued to frequent museums during her travels, for example, soaking in inspiration from the world's artistic masters.

Turning point

Eventually, the global pandemic became a turning point. Stuck at home, the actress known for her roles in films like Basic Instinct, Sliver and Casino reconnected with her artistic roots when a friend gifted her an adult paint-by-numbers kit.

This simple act instantly reignited her passion for art. She painted relentlessly, finding solace and self-discovery in the process. A dedicated studio space followed, and art became a daily practice. She was soon painting for up to 17 hours a day.

Recently, her debut exhibition was held at the C. Parker Gallery in Greenwich, Connecticut to acclaimed reviews. She currently has shows on both sides of the Atlantic: My Eternal Failure at San Francisco's 181 Gallery, which runs from 11 April through 31 August, and Totem at Galerie Deschler in Berlin, which runs until May 18. Overall, her artistic journey is a testament to the idea that creativity knows no bounds, and it's never too late to explore new avenues.

Yet she's by no means alone in shifting her focus from one career to another in art.

Making sense of loss

Take Barbara Rachko. After a career as a commercial pilot, Boeing-727 flight engineer and naval officer, she found solace in art following the tragic loss of her husband on September 11.

Born in Paterson, New Jersey, Rachko grew up in Clifton, New York City. She graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in psychology. Following her career in aviation and working at the Pentagon, she studied art at Art League School in Alexandria, Virginia, and the International Center of Photography in New York.

Barbara went on to become an artist and author best known for her large, Mexico-inspired artworks using soft pastel on sandpaper. She is drawn to Bolivian, Mexican, and Guatemalan cultural objects like masks, carved wooden animals, and papier-mâché figures, and she often visits South America, Central America, and Mexico in search of inspiration.

Her bold and vibrant paintings are described as inspired by Matisse and Degas, according to art critics, rather than following folk art traditions. They are certainly unique and powerful artworks that combine reality and fantasy. And her creativity is getting the recognition it deserves. A recent short documentary, True Grit, which tells the story of Rachko overcoming tragic loss to forge a path of her own, won awards at the Newport Beach Film Festival last October where it enjoyed its world premiere.

It's not unusual

When you read about people like this, who switch careers mid-stream and make a success of art, their stories are often described as unusual and unique. But actually, it's not that unusual for people to have second careers in art.

For example, how about German-American professional golfer Sandra Gal? She's found solace and inspiration outside of the sporting world through painting and loves creating artworks that share one thing in common: "simplicity, beauty, and integrity."

Then there's the YouTuber known online as ThioJoe, who has a three million-strong following for his tech-focused videos. Joseph has also recently ventured into the realm of digital art, blending his passion for technology with his creative side.

Why you need a website

We could go on, but you get the idea. It doesn't matter what career you've followed or how young or old you are: if you have a passion you want to pursue, there's nothing to stop you from reinventing yourself through art.

Once you decide to make the leap, it's worth considering creating a streamlined digital identity for your new career. The best way to do that is to have your own website.

Yes, you could potentially just chuck all your work onto a platform like Behance or a social media account like Instagram. But ultimately, that means you're giving control over how your work is presented and how it appears in your followers' feed to someone else.

However, if you have your own website, you retain complete control over everything. Plus, it looks much more professional and makes it much easier for people to find information about you, whether they be curators or potential buyers.

Why you need a .ART domain

When setting up your website, it's highly recommended that you purchase a .ART domain, just like all these artists we've just been talking about.

Why? Well, for starters, if you're already known for one thing, then a domain name that ends in .ART makes it clear what your new art-focused website is all about. Simply having a URL such as sharonstone.art, barbararachko.art, sandragal.art or thiojoe.art will leave no confusion in anyone's mind!

And that's not all. A website with a .ART domain offers a unique opportunity to create a personalised and memorable online space that reflects your artistic identity. .ART is more than just a domain name; it's a supportive community that fosters creativity, collaboration and growth by supporting its members with features on in-house and external media platforms, monthly live webinars and more.

That means by securing a .ART domain, you'll be joining a global network of like-minded individuals, sharing each other's work, exchanging ideas and gaining exposure to new opportunities. Take a look at the .ART community hub to find out more about that.

Get a .ART domain today!

Whether you're a seasoned artist seeking to reinvent yourself or a newcomer to art yearning to unlock your creative potential, get inspired by the 250 000+ community of .ART users, which include artists like Marina Abramovic, El Anatsui and Sophia Wallace, brands like Porsche and Mercedes, and art-related institutions like The Institute of Contemporary Arts, Stern Pissarro Gallery and Dia Art Foundation.

Embrace the transformative power of art, secure your .ART domain, and embark on a journey of self-discovery. By embracing a .ART domain, you'll be establishing a digital identity that resonates with your artistic pursuits while also becoming part of a vibrant community that celebrates and nurtures artistic expression.

Even better, by securing an .ART domain, you'll contribute to the greater good. Every .ART domain sale helps fund the Art Therapy Initiative to support and promote the "healing power of art". .ART has already committed to a $1 million fellowship for graduate studies in Art Therapy at The George Washington University in Washington, DC, for example.