Kaja8x10 inch
Graphite and coloured pencil on drafting film
What an amazing year 2009 has been!!!! I have been doing commissions right up until yesterday morning, but have decided to take a three day break to spend some quality time with family. Many of my customers requested that I wait until after Christmas, before posting their portraits on my website or blog. This time last year, I was flat out with my nursing career, feeling very stressed and quite disillussioned, and spent every spare minute on my art. This year has been such a journey of self discovery. I had no idea when making the decision to leave nursing whether art would provide me with a sustainable income, or whether I could find a sense of purpose and fulfillment from something which up until then was purely done for enjoyment. There is always a risk, when taking a hobby and turning it into a business, that some of the enjoyment disappears. I must admit it has been a year of ups and downs, where too many times I have been filled with self doubt. My wonderful, supportive husband and the fabulous friends I have made through various internet sites, especially through blogging, are the two treasures that have lifted my spirits whenever I feel lost. We come to the end of 2009, and I feel such a sense of peace and purpose. The commissions are coming hard and fast (I have 5 due in the New Year), and whilst this means there isn't a lot of time for being truly arty and creative, I think my current need was more to find a purpose from the art, and there will be time down the track for really exploring my own creativity. For now, I am thrilled to bring joy to others through commissions, and my other big goal is to write a book down the track on drawing photo realistic drawings on drafting film. I would like to take this opportunity for thanking all of you who have supported me and encouraged me throughout the year. You have no idea how much this has helped to lift my spirits on those days when despondency sets in.
Wishing all of you the most wonderful, magical Christmas and lets hope 2010 brings success and happiness to you all!!!!
9 comments:
WOW another fantastic image Karen.you really make the viewer look...its perfection.The written piece was so interesting...you have only been doing this for a year professionally ...amazing. I hope you enjoy your christmas ...you no doubt have earned it...thanks for all the replys you gave to my questions and also the beautiful images you have posted and shared with us....have a nice new year....
ps your book would sell out.when I look at your images all I say is HOW....all the best Karen.
What a beautiful little girl portrait, Karen. You are so very blessed to have the kind of talent that allows you to both enjoy your work and to indeed make some sort of living doing something you love. I so wish I could do likewise but alas, I will undoubtedly never rise beyond mediocre at best. Never say never though, right? LOL May 2010 bring you much less despondency, much more joy, and many blessings.
Karen, I came your way from Akiko's and am absolutely blown away by your extraordinary artwork. Breath-taking. I am following you now, and will be back to admire future works. Have a joyous Christmas and drop by for some holiday cheer.
Karen, I feel the same as to the wonderful supportive friends I have found by blogging, and you are certainly one of them! I remember when we first "met" as colored pencil artists and then reconnected again here on blogger. Thank YOU for all your support! I'm sure it's going to be an even bigger successful year for you. Your work is beautiful! Thanks for sharing! The very best to you in the New Year. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your work!
It is now Christmas morning and I thought I would check the emails etc quickly before the kids surface - what a wonderful gift to me are all your gorgeous comments.
Thank you so much Bridie, and I love to answer questions so do hope it helped in some way!!!
Sherry, every day I am grateful for the gift of art, but you know I didn't really know I could do this a few years ago - research and practice and you will be amazed what you can achieve!!!! Welcome James - I love to meet new bloggers and thank you for your very kind comments.
Thank YOU Barbara and I do look forward to sharing more blogging exchanges with you next year!!!!
A wonderful portrait Karen, theres so much character in these little faces! I have really enjoyed looking at your work in the last few months, you have such great skill, you did the right thing going full time with art. Im sure 2010 will bring you even more success!
Thank you so much for your kind comments and for your ongoing support and I look forward to appreciating each of your paintings with anticipation and look forward to exchanging more blogging next year!!! Happy New Year!!!
Karen, I had NO idea you had so recently left your nursing career. That IS a gutsy decision, and I'm so thrilled that it is working out for you. I think that making a significant income from art is an incredibly difficult achievement - one that many artists never realize, even though they are very talented. I'm so happy that it appears you've discovered the formula for making your dreams come true!
Thank you so much for your wonderful comments Deb. Luckily my husband Stephen is the main bread winner, so my income is really just to help make ends meet, so probably 'significant' is not quite how I describe it, but it certainly it is enough to match what I was earning part time in nursing and to keep me out of mischief and so I'm thrilled with that!!!
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