I recently came across a video about an artist who had been pursuing art full-time for 18 months. Watching his story —one of persistence, faith, and steady dedication —made me stop and wonder: could that have been me if I hadn’t quit on myself years ago? For a moment, regret crept in as I imagined the skills I might have sharpened or the life I might have built. But then I realized that every turn in my life has shaped who I am today. Each experience has contributed to the person I’ve become. We each have our own path, and mine, though winding, has led me back to where I was always meant to be.

As a kid, I absolutely loved drawing and practiced whenever I could. I studied lessons from teachers like Mark Kistler, devoured drawing books, and spent hours sketching and modeling for myself in the mirror. Art felt natural to me, and I carried that passion into high school and college with dreams of making it my career. But somewhere along the way, doubt crept in. I didn’t feel skilled enough or confident in my artistic voice. Fear took over, and eventually, I laid down my pencil.

Drawings Through the Years

Still, that creative spark never truly went out. Over the past few years, I’ve been finding my way back—reclaiming art as a core part of my life and learning to embrace the title of “artist”. Watching that video stirred old feelings of uncertainty: the worry that I’m behind, that I’ll never “catch up” to where I could have been. But I reminded myself that the path I took, though unconventional, had given me experiences just as valuable.

2019 Art Revival with my Handbags

Revived my art exploration with my Tracy Alice artisanal handbags and accessories in 2019.

My non-art jobs taught me versatility and problem-solving. Roller Derby pushed me to test my limits, proving what’s possible with determination and discipline. Long-distance running taught me self-awareness and endurance, the same traits that now fuel my art practice. The friendships and communities I built along the way have supported me in ways I never could have imagined. If I had pursued art without those life lessons, I might not have had the resilience or perspective I have now.

Life Lessons From My Many Non-Art Activities

So, no regret, not so much. Maybe I could have been further along, but I might not have been ready for the journey that art requires. Every chapter of my life has prepared me to face my fears, to pick up the pencil again, and this time, to keep going.

Regrets, Not So Much

Drawings Through the Years

2019 Art Revival with my Handbags

Life Lessons From My Many Non-Art Activities

Sharing My Art and Being Brave