This study examines the reactions of veteran artists to some issues associated with the process of creating visual art that can cause fear, fear significant enough to derail many professional artists and cause them to quit making art altogether. Based on the writings of Bayles and Orland and enhanced by J. M. Erikson, this study provides insight into understanding how, and under what circumstances, veteran artists are able to overcome the issues that arise during the process of art making and even continue to create during moments of stress. This is beneficial to educators working with new artists and those who might be struggling through the creative process. Further, this study also seeks to understand the ways in which these veteran artists may use the artist resources of self, support, situation, and strategies, a modification of Schlossberg, Waters and Goodman's "The 4S System," to overcome these issues and persist with their art. Data were collected through a series of six semi-structured interviews in the form of conversations with three female and three male artists from Marin County, California. The artists in this study are considered veterans by the fact that they have been dedicated to art making for a period ranging from 11 to 32 years plus a record of commitment to improving and expanding their art so that new challenges arise. While they ranged in age from 70 to 89 during the time of the interviews, these artists entered into the arts at various, transitional moments in their adult lives. An examination of the artists' conversations suggests that veteran artists in particular handle issues in art making with a sense of calmness and perseverance grounded in past experiences and supported by the artist resources. These resources have become embedded in the art making process such that they provide a backup or reference when working through many difficult and stressful situations, allowing the veteran artist to proceed with a sense of curiosity and exploration, rather than let the issues escalate into fear. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]