Where do you start?
What a time to start in my opinion. If you’re thinking about it, what’s holding you back from making that first step?
Admittedly, the first few steps are always the hardest but once you get rolling you’re not going to want to stop. You’ll see your possibilities clearer every step you take. You’ll also surprise yourself with your capabilities. We’re a lot stronger and capable than we think. If you’re willing to take the chance, go through the sweat and tears that come with determination, do it! It may all sound much now but it’s a lot simpler when it’s put into practice.
Let me tell you a story about a girl I knew:
She was a pocket rocket. Full of energy and hard to stop. She was determined and had a voice. She made many mistakes and had to take a few hard hits of reality bites. There were many who didn’t want her to live her own life and tried to mould her in a certain way. But it never worked. She was too stubborn and fired up. She went on telling people to stop trying to derail her from her dreams. This was it! She was doing it her own way and nothing or no one was going to stop her. It was hard at first because she loved many of those people and understood they were just looking out for her. But in the end, she knew what was going to make her happy.
The road was long and challenging. There were many times she wanted to give up because of all the rejections and disappointments. She’d cry, wail, and totally walk out just to breathe again. But she knew the relief was only temporary and always went back. She went back every single time and looked where she could change or improve. There is always room for improvement.
Of course, it wasn’t always failures. She had great wins and built upon that. The more she continued in her craft the better she would become. 18 years later she continues to do the same. Never throwing in the towel and treasuring the hard work that went into every single win.
she knew what was going to make her happy
That girl is me. That girl is you. Illustrating is my calling. I’m willing to do the hard yards to better myself. Whether it be for professional or personal development, expressing myself creatively is something I need to do. Illustrating has given me that opportunity.
Where did I start? Just like anyone. I started with curiosity, attraction, an idea then I took my first step. My first step was to start drawing. I held my ground and kept practising that ability. It had become a skill for me and I wanted to nurture that skill. With that, my determination grew. I wanted to become the best illustrator I could be.
I’ve had supportive people along the way and I will always cherish their encouragement and advise. They will forever be in my heart. We may have lost contact over the years but they’re the ones who gave me the big push to follow through. They taught me the craft of patience and giving myself a chance.
So start that journey! You owe it to yourself.