Did you ever have a dream so big, you couldn’t really imagine it coming true, but knew that your heart would not let you stop trying? You did? And whatever happened to that dream?
Mine were simple (well, simply stated, anyway): I wanted to travel the world, marry my perfect match, and make art. The wild twisty paths that led me to achieve dreams 1 and 2 were far from obvious or easy, but here I am living on the French Riviera, married to a gorgeous, kind-hearted Italian man with whom I have an equally wonderful daughter. My cup runneth over. Seriously, I am so grateful for what I’ve been able to see, do, and experience so far. Life is incredible.
My little Camilla
So what about that last dream, you might ask?
Well, just out of art school, I came to the abrupt realization that I had no idea how to market myself, my artwork, or even approach a gallery. I’d also had it drummed into me for the prior 4 years that most of us art students wouldn’t make it and the concept of “starving artist” wasn’t just some romantic, purist notion, but a reality… one that did not sit well with my ideas about what I wanted out of my life. So I jumped into business school, thinking that would help solve the issue of marketing myself and my work. This choice, on the other hand, opened up a whole other realm of interests, questions, and aspirations that I didn’t know I had. So I followed those for a bit, always seeking to marrying my creative side with life in the business world.
It’s time to call a spade a spade, however. Even during this recent life in the corporate world, my true calling always remained anything even remotely creative. Sitting in front of a computer all day each day (THE thing I promised myself I would NEVER do!) became excruciating. And I felt increasingly dissatisfied with having no time to devote to that creative spirit within me. A few more fated twists and turns and here I am, faced with a unique opportunity to take a completely different direction. Or come full circle, as it were.
Time to follow the path toward that last big goal, and reach for it, come what may. I’ve seen that with patience, persistence, and necessary action, as well as support from my incredible friends and family, I can achieve what my heart desires. So off I go!
Now share YOUR stories! What are your big dreams? Which have you achieved?
Holly xox