It has been an intense year of growth. I bid farewell to 2017 with a smile. I busted my butt to say the least and I am finally starting to see my efforts achieve goals. My true new year starts in March of 2018-an anniversary of when I really threw myself into my passions.
New Year's Eve 2016 I made a plan to change my circumstances.
Tim and I have been together a decade, most of it he was a night shift worker. Even when we were in college we both worked odd shifts. To us it was normal. We became parents in 2015. We had to adjust to Jacqueline's schedule and needs. The struggles and lows of that year made it clear to me what I wanted to be as her mother and what I wanted for a career. Little did I know that I needed to become a mother to be brave enough to push my dreams into reality. She motivates me because I want my little girl to know that she can achieve whatever she puts her heart and mind to. So can her mother.
I had recently finished pet portraits as gifts in the holiday season of 2016. I wanted to do more. I was making my stamp pieces from a vintage dog postal stamp collection I own, these were small profits. I loved making the pet portraits and decided that would by my niche for 2017. I had a goal to make one art piece a month. A friend commissioned me for a portrait and then a referral for another was sent my way. Word of mouth and a stronger Instagram presence helped move my name around.
I taught an oil pastel class at ART247 in Lockport in Spring. I loved it! Teaching is definitely something I would like to do again in 2018. I am still in touch with my students and call them friends.
I also made a goal to travel for a chalk festival and did in June of 2017 to Denver. Read about that trip here. I once again chalked in Lockport, NY in July of 2017. Read about that event here. I look forward to chalking every year as soon as the weather changes. I hope to do another trip out of state for a festival in 2018 but we will see how I'm doing this Spring to travel in the fall.
At the end of August, my day job shared my talents on our corporate home page. See the article write up here. I got have a waiting list for the first time ever thanks to that exposure. I am still receiving inquiries from that article.
During this past year I also took up another adventure. I have always wanted to own my own boutique. I remember browsing cute little shops in sea side towns when I was 11 thinking I wanted one of my own when I grew up. The retail market is certainly different now. I found a way to get my feet wet without paying for shop rent. I became an independent LuLaRoe consultant. I now sell cute and comfy clothes as well as pet themed art!
You can join my Facebook VIP Group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/LularoeJessTomaino/
This past year also took a toll. Working 3 jobs and being a mother and wife was a lot to handle. I lived a life that not many would to reach a goal still in my sights for 2018. I had to grow personally as well as professionally. I learned my limits after I fell into depression in October. I lost my fire for everything. The pieces that made me who I am, my creativity, my empathy, my determination, my optimism were gone. Anxiety is not a stranger to me but depression was sneaky and unlike anything I have ever dealt with. I managed my way out of it with counseling and taking some time off work to slow down.
I knew I was recovering when after weeks of inspiration block I had ideas to create nature art pieces using sealing wax and inks. (I plan on doing that soon after a shopping trip to Hobby Lobby.) I knew I was recovering when I sketched 3 portraits in 5 hours. Sometimes just sketching one may take me up to 3 hours. I knew when I was recovering because my faith in God became stronger even in my struggles.
From upper left to bottom right:
Riley, Love Byrds, Henna, June, Denver Chalk Festival 2017, and Gatti
From upper left to bottom right:
Sweet Chalk Festival 2017, Joe's Riley, Otto Bear, Astrid, Jasper, and Doxies
To see my 12 pieces all together is surreal and wonderful. I have worked very hard this past year to push Wild at Heart Illustration from hobby to business. I aim to create 20 pieces in 2018.
I had spent a lot of time this year wondering if I was worthy of my artistic gift. I learned that it is not something I am to be worthy of, but something I am just supposed to be. I am an artist. Using my talents glorifies God. I am to use it to help provide for my family and give to others healing and joy. I would like to teach art again-maybe with a vacation bible school or summer program in Newfane.
I have lots to do still. I have ideas and plans but like every year I look back and marvel at how it all comes together. There will be highs and lows with surprises thrown but I'm ready for 2018.
Stay tuned.
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