I’ve always known that I wanted to be an artist from the time I was 5 years old and I started drawing animals and trees. When I was 7 or 8 years old, I told my mom that I wanted to be just like Leonardo DaVinci (funny what kids say). I came across some of his work; because he was left-handed like me and an artist, I felt a tugging of inspiration.
My parents always thought I was talented, they just never thought I would make any money doing it. (At this point in time, they could still be right but I’m hoping to prove them wrong). You know the stereotypical response: “You’ll end up being a starving artist!”. That line was constantly in my head while I looked up the cost of going to an art school. Yikes! $8,000 a semester and I may not even make decent money with it! Unfortunately, I didn’t have the financial support then to pursue my dreams so I’ve worked in other industries to pay for part-time and evening courses. Although, it wasn’t the formal education I was looking for, I learned a lot and amassed quite a lot of art- and art instruction books along the way, as well as my sweet ModBook computer tablet. When I met my husband, he already had his own vast art book collection: it must have been fate.
Now, I’m in my 30’s and with the exception of a certificate in animation at Sheridan College and a lot of computer courses under my belt, I am entirely self-taught. The thought of leaving my well-paying job in the finance sector for an industry that may or may not yield the financial rewards I hoped for seems daunting even though every fiber of my being wants me to produce art. Hell, I’ve got a headful of ideas just waiting to come out. I’m a constant dreamer, hence the title of my blog: Chalk Full of Dreams—it seemed to fit.
My blog will document what I learn, including what I learn about myself and about the industry as I make a go of becoming an illustrator, and I hope it will help or inspire others that are also trying to reach their dreams following an unconventional path.
About
I’ve always known that I wanted to be an artist from the time I was 5 years old and I started drawing animals and trees. When I was 7 or 8 years old, I told my mom that I wanted to be just like Leonardo DaVinci (funny what kids say). I came across some of his work; because he was left-handed like me and an artist, I felt a tugging of inspiration.
My parents always thought I was talented, they just never thought I would make any money doing it. (At this point in time, they could still be right but I’m hoping to prove them wrong). You know the stereotypical response: “You’ll end up being a starving artist!”. That line was constantly in my head while I looked up the cost of going to an art school. Yikes! $8,000 a semester and I may not even make decent money with it! Unfortunately, I didn’t have the financial support then to pursue my dreams so I’ve worked in other industries to pay for part-time and evening courses. Although, it wasn’t the formal education I was looking for, I learned a lot and amassed quite a lot of art- and art instruction books along the way, as well as my sweet ModBook computer tablet. When I met my husband, he already had his own vast art book collection: it must have been fate.
Now, I’m in my 30’s and with the exception of a certificate in animation at Sheridan College and a lot of computer courses under my belt, I am entirely self-taught. The thought of leaving my well-paying job in the finance sector for an industry that may or may not yield the financial rewards I hoped for seems daunting even though every fiber of my being wants me to produce art. Hell, I’ve got a headful of ideas just waiting to come out. I’m a constant dreamer, hence the title of my blog: Chalk Full of Dreams—it seemed to fit.
My blog will document what I learn, including what I learn about myself and about the industry as I make a go of becoming an illustrator, and I hope it will help or inspire others that are also trying to reach their dreams following an unconventional path.