If I could give my younger self one piece of advice about pursuing art, it would be to embrace balance and flexibility. I started with art and became absorbed in printmaking, which I found deeply engrossing and process-driven. It became my passion, and I was always pushing to create my next etching or lino cut. But looking back, I realise how important it is to diversify your creative practices and give yourself permission to take breaks. Printmaking often requires specialised, expensive equipment. Focusing solely on it can feel stifling when tools aren't accessible. Being multidisciplinary-exploring drawing, painting, or other forms of expression-helps you stay creative regardless of circumstances. Another critical piece of advice would be to acknowledge the ebb and flow of creativity. Creative block is real and frustrating, but I've learned that taking breaks is necessary. A sketchbook, even for small doodles or ideas, keeps creativity alive without pressure. Those small sparks often grow into something meaningful later. This advice is significant now because life is more demanding, balancing work, a business, and a baby. I often wish for more time to create but accept creativity adapts to life's rhythm. A sketchbook is my lifeline, reminding me that art isn't just about big projects but also nurturing small ideas. I now run an art supply shop, which lets me share my creative passion with others. It's rewarding to know the tools I provide might spark someone's journey or rekindle their passion. This role keeps me connected to creativity in a fulfilling, meaningful way.
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice about pursuing art, it would be: Don't underestimate the power of joy in what you create. When I started creating balloon animals and face painting, I didn't see it as art-I thought of it as a fun hobby. But over time, I realized that even small, playful creations can leave a lasting impact. Art doesn't have to be in a gallery to matter; it just has to connect with people. This advice is important to me because it's the foundation of my career and my business, Party With A Twist. Early on, I focused on technical skills-how to twist the perfect balloon animal or paint an intricate design. But what really mattered was how my work made people feel. A child's laughter at seeing their favorite animal come to life in balloons or a parent's smile watching their kid's face light up-that's where the magic happens. Art is about creating moments that matter, not just objects. By focusing on the joy my art brings, I've been able to grow my business into something much bigger than I imagined. It's not just about entertaining; it's about creating experiences that people carry with them. This shift in perspective has helped me build meaningful relationships with clients and their families. They don't just see me as someone who performs at events-they see me as someone who adds a unique, artistic touch to their celebrations. This advice also reminds me to approach my work with passion and creativity, even when challenges arise. Running a business in the arts can be unpredictable, but staying connected to the why-the joy I bring to others-keeps me grounded. It also helps me empower my team, teaching them that their art matters and that it has the power to make people's lives brighter. If my younger self could hear this advice, I think they'd feel inspired to embrace creativity without fear. And today, that advice continues to shape how I approach every event, every client, and every creation.
If I could talk to my younger self just after high school, I'd encourage her to ignore everyone who tells her to play it safe. Follow your heart and study art. Life is too short not to spend every day doing what you love. Instead, I chose the "safe" path and spent years in a recruitment position that never fully fulfilled me. Everything changed for me when I decided to pursue my artistic passion. I received an art diploma in 2016 and now own and operate a thriving branding and website design business. It's a dream come true, and while I'm grateful for where I am now, I frequently wonder how much sooner I could have discovered happiness if I had believed in myself from the beginning. My advice? Don't wait; your passion is worth it.
Hello, I am a Career Coach & Sr. Reverse Recruiter at Find My Profession. I am also a former actor & voice actor with 25 years experience. If I could go back in time and meet that 18-year-old artist, who decided to pick up speech pathology and performing arts majors in college, I would tell myself this: "If you really want to pursue this career, make sure you focus on being an 'artist' more than being well-known for your work. The true artist lives to express and reinvents himself/herself for a life-time while the artist seeking fame and fortune burns out in a matter of months." This is important to me because I now have nieces and nephews, who are going into the same profession I did after college, and I want to make sure they know how to stay committed. I discovered this truth about being an "artist" through my fellow alumni who made a solid career of being an artist, more than I ever could. I was too focused on having a good time and getting attention. I just wanted to have a good time. In my current career, this comes into play. How? I help people find jobs...for a full-time job. Finding jobs other than my desired profession was something I became accustomed to, especially when I wasn't getting acting work 25 years ago. Since 1995, I ended up working in 6 industries across 4 countries, and at one point my voice acting career merged with tech when social media became popular in 2007. I still have a creative side to me that works well in business. But I am not an artist.
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice about pursuing art, it would be to embrace experimentation and not fear failure. This advice is crucial because the creative process often involves trial and error, and the willingness to explore new ideas can lead to unexpected breakthroughs. When I was younger, I often felt pressured to produce perfect work, which stifled my creativity and made me hesitant to take risks. By encouraging a mindset that values experimentation, I would have been more open to exploring different mediums, styles, and concepts without the weight of self-doubt. This approach fosters growth and innovation, both in art and in life. This advice is particularly relevant to my current career. In today's fast-paced environment, the ability to adapt and innovate is essential. Embracing a mindset of experimentation allows me to approach challenges with creativity and resilience. It encourages collaboration with others, as sharing ideas and learning from failures can lead to richer outcomes. Ultimately, this perspective on art has shaped my professional journey by reinforcing the idea that creativity is not just about the final product but also about the process of exploration and discovery. By valuing experimentation, I can continue to grow as an artist and professional, finding joy in both successes and setbacks.
I'd tell my younger self to embrace experimentation and not fear failure. Early on, I focused too much on perfection, but it's through mistakes that real growth and innovation happen. This advice is important because it shaped my approach to business, where I encourage my team at Software House to take creative risks and learn continuously. It's about being adaptable and open to new ideas, which drives both personal and professional success in today's ever-changing landscape.
I'd tell my younger self to focus less on perfection and more on the process of creating. Early on, I spent so much time worrying if my work was "good enough" that I often missed the joy of experimenting and growing. The truth is, art is as much about exploration and failure as it is about skill. By giving yourself the freedom to try new things, make mistakes, and even create something "bad," you build confidence and develop a unique voice-something that technical perfection alone can't achieve. This advice matters deeply because it's shaped how I approach both my career and personal projects today. Now, I view challenges as opportunities to learn rather than obstacles to avoid. This mindset has opened doors to collaborations, new mediums, and even teaching, which I never thought I'd have the courage to do. It's also made art a lifelong source of joy and curiosity, not just a skill to master.
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice about pursuing art, it would be to embrace the intersection of creativity and practicality. For someone like me, who grew up learning the tree industry alongside my father, I would remind my younger self that artistry isn't just about creating beauty but also about solving real-world problems in innovative ways. In my current career as a certified arborist and the owner of Ponce Tree Services, this mindset has been invaluable. The artistry in my work comes from shaping trees to enhance landscapes, ensuring both their health and aesthetic appeal. For example, when a customer approached us with a beloved oak tree that was both overgrown and threatening their property, my team used advanced pruning techniques to preserve the tree's natural form while eliminating safety concerns. The result was a vibrant centerpiece for their yard, which maintained its character and became a safer, more functional part of their environment. This advice is important to me because it highlights the balance between passion and purpose, a principle that has shaped my entire livelihood. As someone who studied at SMU and became TRAQ certified, my technical expertise empowers me to approach tree care with precision. Yet it's my creative instincts that allow me to see the potential in every project and deliver results that exceed customer expectations. Combining art and science has built trust with my clients and fueled the growth of my family-owned business over the past two decades. I'd tell my younger self that while passion is the spark, honing your skills and focusing on solving problems is what makes a career truly fulfilling.
If I could give my younger self one piece of advice about pursuing art, it would be: "Don't be afraid of risks and don't bring perfectionist approach, because only in the moments of imperfection you can define your style." Why This Advice Is Important Perfection Is the Enemy of Progress: In my early years as an artist I had a tendency to obsess over this detail or that, always striving to get things 'perfect,' and as a result often failed to seize learning moments, failed to take the risks that allow for experimentation and creation through failure. Authenticity Matters: Looking at the overall process, I have concluded that the audience trusts art that is genuine, or flawed, more than the art that is polished. Confidence in Creativity: Risk taking leads to confidence The essence of living is taking risks. It helps you learn to follow your gut and is something that develops in ways beyond your control. How It Concerns My Present Employment or Profession Innovation: This has also made me be creative, trying new methods and technologies as well as coming up with new ways of working. Adaptability: In that sense, being just okay with things mean I am more prepared for some adversities and able to change course when things turn out differently. Connection: The risky and imperfect approach to the design together with a focus on personal style contributed to the formation of a recognizable work ethic and attracts clients and viewers nowadays. Finally, it builds both capacity and tenacity, which are essential in any creative profession, as well as growth.