1 Year Anniversary

It’s been one full year of being a full-time artist. WOW. I’m so proud. What a wild ride it has been! I have accomplished more than I thought I would, and I’m so eager to continue this work. Not ONCE have I regretted my decision to quit my previous full-time job to pursue art. I loved my last job, the people, and many aspects of the work I did. However, when I considered the freedom and joy I could experience on my own, I set forward on this path and have not looked back! There have been ups and downs. There have been momentous accomplishments, and there have been moments of feeling unworthy, lost, and overwhelmed. It has been the full spectrum of beautiful emotions, and I am so grateful I chose this for myself. I’ve discovered so much about myself and my art practice since I gave myself the permission and time to do so. Here are some of the many learnings I’ve had over the past 12 months.

COMMUNITY: Meeting other creatives, painters, and full-time artists that are navigating a similar path as me has been the #1 most inspiring thing I have done this year. Having art friends (virtually & in-person) to build each other up, answer questions, bounce ideas off of, get feedback from, etc, feels so supportive- like a part of a team working towards a common goal of bringing more art into people's lives. Being an artist can be an isolating experience. Having people who know what you are going through makes things feel less lonely and more achievable. It’s so amazing to see other artists who are creating sustainable lives, finding great success on this path, and THRIVING. To all of my artist friends out there, thank you for teaching, guiding, and encouraging me. I wouldn't be here without you. 

SHARING: I committed to myself in 2022 that I would share as much as I could about my art- no holding back. I tried releasing the thought that people would get annoyed if I posted too much or that everything had to be curated 100% of the time. I realized that people want to see what I create and the process behind my work. They want to learn more about me as an artist and human (at least that’s what I tell myself!). My artwork is so connected to me and my experiences, and the more I share, the more people relate to my work and feel compelled to invest in it. I also think more deeply about my process and work when I take a moment to photograph/film and write about it. Share your art!

WORTH: What I create is inherently worthy and valuable because I have worth and value. There is no one else in the world that can create the things I create with the intuition, spirit, and hands that I have. This is something that took me a while to understand, and I’m sure it will be a life-long reminder to myself when I second guess the value in my contributions to this world. Finding confidence in my work has taken time. It has taken self-study, dedication, journaling and practice. Knowing and sharing my worth comes into play when applying to shows, pricing my work, speaking about my work, defending my choice to be an artist and in many other circumstances. I’ve learned that if I don’t consider myself and my work valuable, no one else will.

SUPPORT: We all do better when we all do better. There is room for everyone and everyone has something unique to offer. We can lift eachother up and all feel the goodness and success come back our way. I’ve felt tidal waves of support from my peers, friends, family, and parter over the last year, and I always try to put that back into the world. There are so many ways to support artists, and it all makes a big impact in validating this path and encouraging momentum forward.

SAYING YES: I have tried to do as much as possible this year- saying “yes” to opportunities large and small, applying to shows and projects, putting myself out there and seeing what sticks. Within that, I have learned a few things that really work and a few that don’t. I have been rejected many times, but I have also had people say “yes” to me! It’s been fun trying many new things, but I’m also ready for more boundaries moving forward, giving myself permission to say “no” to things this coming year.

PRACTICE: I always call my studio time, my art “practice” because that’s what it is. Just like in life, when I step into the studio and get ready to paint, I have no idea what the outcome will be. I don’t know how many layers or “tries” it will take for each piece to resolve and feel ready. I have to trust the process and be open to learning as I go. I release control and allow myself to be a forever learner. There are so many layers, mistakes, learnings and “ah-hahs” in my process. It is a practice in patience, presence, mindfulness, problem solving, confidence, self, experimentation, and letting go. The more I practice my art the more I grow and evolve. My techniques, skills, and point of view have all strengthened as I’ve dedicated more time to my practice.

I could write 100 more paragraphs on other things I’ve learned this year, and maybe I will someday! This year has been fruitful and beautiful. I have met myself in ways I didn’t know myself to be. I have surprised myself with my work ethic and my focus. I have delighted in my success and in the work I’ve created. I am so proud of myself. I worked SO hard this year and the universe has rewarded my bravery in pursuing my self-created path. I have so much gratitude for this life, everyone who has supported me, and for the chance to keep going, making, painting, exploring, meeting, learning, studying, trying, sometimes failing, and being an artist. I do not choose to be an artist, I AM an artist.