Study your medium of choice and refine your skills. Artistic experience can begin at 40 or culminate over years of study. Decide what medium you are best skilled at, whether painting, drawing, sculpture or another medium. Read books related to the process of creating art in your medium and start sketching your ideas onto paper. Online courses, college studies and programs through local museums with art instructors can help refine your abilities and give you new tools for becoming an eventual household name.
Put together a portfolio. Once you have accumulated a significant amount of work, take photos of your work (if sculpture) or include original designs in a tangible portfolio. This portfolio will serve as representation of your talent for meetings with art curators, museums and galleries for hopeful installation of your art. Use social networking sites and blogs to share your art with friends, family and acquaintances. Ask close family members (such as children, brothers and sisters) to post pictures of your work on their websites to further increase your exposure.
Meet with art galleries and museums. Set up appointments to show your portfolio to local galleries and art museums. Consider providing a one-page biography with your portfolio to explain your position as an artist over 40 who desires worldwide recognition. If your work meets their standards, you will be given space within their facilities to showcase your work and meet with the general public during presentations.
Build your resume and detail all acclaims received through art showings. After presenting your work at galleries and museums, add all acclaims to your resume such as "best new artist" or "top artist over 40." If you present your work in juried art shows and win prizes, include that on your resume. Through building a quality portfolio and resume, you will receive household name status as an artist in your hometown, state, country, or possibly the world.