I think I’m finally here and I hope I don’t jinx it by saying that. Where is HERE? Where I’ve wanted to be as long as I can remember.
When I was very little I discovered pencils and crayons. All I know is that when I was drawing or painting or even mushing up clay I was in my happy place. As I got older I still escaped to my pencils as often as I could even though life was starting to interfere and I was becoming more critical of my artwork.
Even as a high school senior my ultimate plan was to become an artist, but I had been forced by my parents to choose a “reasonable” career. The closest thing I could find to “artist” was being a graphic designer.
Fast forward a few decades. Thirty to be exact. I have spent that time as a graphic designer in various places, raised two kids, kept up with a house and yard, often worked a second job and in tiny little spurts of time worked in some drawing and painting so I didn’t forget how. I have sketch books full of ideas I haven’t had time to create. Many, many times I have tried to give up my artistic dream because I just didn’t think there was ever going to be a time for it or I was disappointed in my efforts to get there. It takes a lot of time to produce art.
In the past year I have sold our long time home that was now too big for me to maintain physically and financially alone. It was a hard choice and transition for all of us, but it was sucking the life blood out of me. I have been self-employed for almost three years, but was working a part-time retail job that was also slowly killing me with a lack of sleep and stress. I still work a second job but was blessed to find one that fit my life MUCH better. My kids are moving out in one month and I will no longer be functioning on their schedules.
So, what the heck does all that mean? For the first time in twenty years I can do what I want when I want!!! Just take a wild guess what I want to do. There is a twist to it that I will explain in my next post, but for now I am just happily drawing away every chance I get. I will miss my kids, their noise and friends and activities, but I’m pretty sure I can find a few things to fill the time with!
Pencils, Paint & Paper 