How did I know?

From my earliest memory drawing was something I just did. Other kids rejoiced in getting high tech toys for Christmas, but I would do the happy dance for my box of Crayola 100 and the giant pads of newsprint under the tree.

I tripped along happily in art classes, all the way through high school. I remember some classmates having a real skill with realistic portraiture or avante garde executions. Compared to them, the cartoons and doodles that came naturally to me felt immature and silly. I think that's when my faith in my art started deflating.

It was senior year when I overheard the art teacher talking to a student about art school and preparing a portfolio for the admissions process. I knew art school existed, but thought you had to be discovered by someone in order to get into one. I was hurt and felt like I had been betrayed by the fact that no one had ever told me that it was an option, that anyone could try. I convinced myself that I didn't want to go to art school anyway.

Fast forward to college. Freshman year I started with an Animal Science major- intent on achieving my childhood dream of a veterinarian or possibly becoming a State Park Ranger. Sophomore year, I thought about becoming an Education major, but became dissuaded by talk of low-pay and ridiculous amounts of work. (irony anyone?) Switched and settled on a Communications major, specialization in Advertising and Public Relations. My artistic bent helped me significantly.

It wasn't until five years out of college, after having switched from a PR position to teaching twelve year old animals (I say this with fondness!) that I realized I was missing something. I felt like there was a gaping hole that needed to be filled. One night I absently picked up a pencil and started doodling. I enjoyed it so much, I began looking for ways to integrate drawing into my life. I discovered illustration and the multitude of ways I could express myself. I thought I could maybe get into it as a hobby, but the more I did it, the more I realized I needed to do more. Thus began my quest for full-time freelance.