A Glorious Adventure Begins

January 26, 2026

Welcome. I hope you will travel with me on this glorious adventure into the world of "What the heck am I doing" as I attempt to become an artist. I warn you, this escapade is full of ups and down and paths not yet taken.

I have been a teacher, mom, wife, sister, daughter, friend, and so many other things. I always had art as a hobby, but all of these years, it never entered as a title or purpose. I heard phrases like "artists are weird" or "you can't make money as an artist". As a result, I took the path of safety. Try to fit in. Make money. Provide a good life for the kids. Priorities. I regret nothing. I've had an excellent life thus far, and my kids have a happy, safe place in which to grow up. I appreciate the people and places I have been allowed to know.

So, let's go back in time a bit and see how this developed into what it currently is - MY art in a gallery (Ah!), pursuing being an art teacher, and some day leaving behind a career I fought hard to get and be effective in - Elementary Education. Terrifying.

August 2025 - Therapy session determines I judge myself harshly and my art is no exception. We come to the conclusion that I don't have to be that way. Solutions are found.

"You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one."

-- Suzy Kassem 

Bottom line, I can no longer continue rehashing the pain of the past, the pain of rejection, the pain of always feeling a little weird, having a stutter when I'm nervous, not sounding quite right, not knowing what to say in a conversation so I just stand there KNOWING I'm awkward, liking video games a little too much. All of it. New-found conclusion: I can be weird AND be successful. Art is the way.... isn't it almost expected (being weird)?

A door opens... mentally. Not literally.

A golden door opens. I make art. People like the art. I decide I want to actually do this. Create art and be an art teacher; this is my new goal.

We now enter into the world of "Oh my, now I actually have to be an artist." After figuring out how to create my lovely watercolor ladies, I literally woke up to a full plan laid out in front of me... well... figuratively... I didn't actually mean literally. In my brain, there was a plan...

Please note: all of this began because I decided I wanted to be an art teacher last August. The checklist came about so I could feel worthy of becoming an art teacher, which I feel is a coveted space. Art teachers are like celebrities.

I am slowly making progress to becoming AN ARTIST. I have 9 legit watercolors that people really like. No sales as of now, which is THE struggle, I guess. "Wow, that is so cool!" doesn't usually translate into $$$. I get it. Now I have a wall in a gallery, Images Art Gallery in Kansas City, and am currently studying to take the Art Ed Praxis so I can easily move into an art educator position if a spot were to come open for the next school year.

That's all for today. Thank you for joining me for DAY 1 of my blog about this adventure I am on. I will leave you with a lovely art quote, because why wouldn't I?

"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life" by Pablo Picasso