From Hobby to Career: How I started as an Artist
Most of what occurs in life, starts as a series of beautiful accidents.
I have always been obsessed with drawing and painting. One of my earliest memories is my mum picking me up from kinder and the teacher saying “She has not moved! She has just been sitting here painting all day!”. Primary School and High School continued in a similar way. I could be found in my room until late at night creating art (when I should have been creating homework).
A painting from when I was a little kindergarten artist!
Being an artist as a career was something I dreamed about, but I was told both indirectly and directly that it wasn’t a viable career option. So I settled on something else I thought would be good and more practical, Primary School Teaching. I taught Grade 3 for three years. It was okay, but I didn’t really feel like I “fitted” in this job. It also left little time and brain space for me to do my art.
Towards the end of my third year of teaching, I drew a realistic drawing of my colleague’s horse for her birthday. She showed some of the parents and one of them offered to pay me to draw a portrait for her, based on a photo. That was my very first commissioned portrait, nearly 9 years ago now! A couple of other parents cottoned on too and started ordering portraits. The next year I started working part time as an artist...and here I am still doing it today!
I love drawing portraits for people. I love the process, I love creating something from start to finish, and most of all I love being able to give something meaningful to people. I often draw portraits in memory of people or pets that have passed away. It feels really special to be able to give someone something to remember them by. When I draw, I feel like I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.
The past five years or so years I have also been selling commissioned paintings, murals and ready-made paintings. It’s honestly been a dream come true!
Thanks to the person who ordered my first portrait - you gave me a match to start a fire.
My first EVER commission in 2014