In a way, art kind of won by default in my life. It was pretty clear that I was not going to be able to live out my life-long dream of becoming a killer whale trainer (I really loved Free Willy as a kid), so I went to plan B – art. I took a liking for art of any kind at just five years old when my mother bought me my first watercolor set. Although it started off as a hobby, it quickly turned into a way for me to earn a living.
When I was a kid, art was something I could ACTUALLY do. While my friends were off playing soccer and softball and dodgeball, I was in my studio with my teacher, drawing straight lines with no ruler and perfect circles with no compass. Over. And over. And over. And there were days where I hated it. But all of that hard work and practice got me to where I am today — I’m a professional artist who not only sells her original work but licenses to manufacturers. I provide for myself, despite the fact that I have physical challenges that most people don’t. I’m living proof that if you work hard and do what you love, eventually the money will follow.