...finish what you start?

art journal day 2

Do you remember way back when I started the bragging art questions? Sheesh! It took me forever to find the last one I left off with.

#8. What professional and personal obstacles have you overcome to get where you are today? What essential lessons have you learned from any mistakes?

Professionally, I've had to overcome rejections from shows, galleries, even a job I once had as an artist in residence. But what I've learned from all those particular obstacles is that they have made me stronger as a person. I have learned to develop new ways to approach art events, marketing my work and myself as an artist. I am also learning to say no to certain commissions that are just more stress than they're worth. I have found that with commissions, you should only take on what is relevant to your work and not take on something just because you'd like another sale.

Personally, I had all the normal struggles of going to school full time and working 1, 2 or 3 jobs, maintaining a bad relationship, and having a social life. That was in my 20's. Now that I'm in my 30's, I have the most supportive husband in the world, friends that actually go to my shows and support my work, and the luxury of working as a full time artist in my home studios.

Lessons learned:

• Don't give up no matter how hard life gets
• Give thanks
• Be patient
• Don't lose site of your dreams