Prepare for my epiphany.
I have spent the last 4 years or so chasing something I thought I needed to be. January 2010 I had just changed my major, my college, and put my art stuff in a box. I had an unfortunate chain of events at Buffalo State (fall 2009) in a graphic design program that made me hate what I was doing. I was trying to rely on computers to bring my work to life in a digital age. I had succeeded in the class, my critiques went well. However, I was not satisfied and it drained me. I much preferred my fine art roots I had just previously graduated with from NCCC.
I made decisions on a personal level I wish I could take back. I was so stressed out about a project that I left my dying great grandmother to work at the campus, an hour away trying to impress I teacher I did not respect and for a program that I knew I didn't want to finish. Things like that keep me up at night. However, I had made the decision to "start over" and change schools and majors for 2010.
Niagara University was my next stop in this journey. I chose to get into event management. I had interest in organized events such as fundraisers, parties, galas, weddings, festivals, and the business side of art presentation. The courses were repetitive, business like, hospitality industry focused. I thought there would be more job opportunities there and I got good grades. I had opportunities to be part of fundraisers and tourism focused events for Buffalo and the Niagara region. However, like most graduates today, work was not easy to find upon graduation.
Since I was 17 I have worked all types of hours; night shift as a cashier at TOPS, split shift while doing night shift, and working days Wilson Tuscarora State Park. I would sleep in three hour increments between the two jobs. I worked seasonal and then part time year round for the park which was inside the field of study. Tourism and Recreation with a concentration in Special Event Management was my life at the time. I was a full time student. I met some truly wonderful people in my community through the college and my part time jobs. I learned I was a self starter, I never got discouraged on a project, and I loved the interaction with people-especially children. I graduated with my Bachelors in May of 2012 and tried to find work in the hospitality/tourism field.
I got hired at a travel agency in Lewiston, NY in March of 2012. This agency is focused on missionary travel. I started off as a part time assistant then was made a full time agent. I enjoyed my coworkers, some of which I am still very close to. I learned a lot about the travel industry and also about myself. I ended up leaving in July of 2013. During this time in life of school and first big girl jobs-I married my husband, moved into our own place, adopted a dog, and found myself pulling out the art supplies once again.
School loans are a pain in the arse. I left the travel agency and now work for a corporate insurance company. My life consists of a headset, classrooms for training, phone conversations, computer screens, cubicles, and boredom for my poor creative soul. However, this job pays very well and is not commission. I have a schedule I love. I'm free in the mornings until 11:30am then I am off Fridays and Saturdays. This alone is valuable because I still sit for my favorite kids on the planet-who also constantly inspire me. So where am I going with this long story?
I have waited too long to be who I really am. My career is part of me and I have ignored it's importance.
I had the honor to be part of the Lockport Sweet Chalk event this past August. I was one of the featured artists and drew the Lion of Lockport. There are posts about this event in this blog you can click the hyper link and read about it.
http://wildatheartillustration.blogspot.com/2013/08/sweet-chalk-festival-2013.html
The thing is...I loved every second of being part of that event. The artwork, the kids, the community, and the people.
I am a writer. I am an artist. I love children. I love animals. I am a Christian.
Sometimes you get so caught up on trying to solve problems yourself you end up missing the best guidance only He can give.
I believe that to waste a God given talent-to ignore it, is to not follow the path you are meant to take in life. You can serve His will and share his love by being who you are and trusting him to point you in the right direction. Life here on Earth is too short to not be happy in your life. What we do here and who we influence does matter.
I am not waiting any longer.
I am dedicated 3 hours every morning to writing my children's books, editing them, re-writing, editing some more, then illustrating each scene on my own in case I end up self publishing. Weekends will be dedicated to my relationship with my husband and family as well as continued work on my dream.
This is a whole new world to me-writing to get published as well as illustrating for others and myself. This is more than portraits and commissioned work. This is more than an idea or pipe dream I have talked about for as long as I can remember...This is BIG.
For everyone who has been waiting for me to do this thank you for your confidence and encouragement.
Hello, 2014! This is the year to change my career into something I love.
