…I wanted to be a graphic designer.
Five years ago, for my foundation degree portfolio I created this three illustrations that were meant to picture definitions for slang words. I was so proud of them when they were completed (I’ve still got the A1 size prints somewhere) and I still am proud of them.
I’ve been thinking a lot about my journey as a creative recently. From the day I had my epiphany in college and dropped everything I was doing to take up Fine Art and Textiles last minute, to failing my Foundation Degree (lolz at the time I was so distraught), to being accepted onto one of the best Design courses in the country despite my failed Foundation Degree and then finding out in my first year of BA that Photography was actually what I wanted to do…
I’m no superstar, but I’m so proud of everything I have achieved so far despite academically failing twice along the way, being questioned by multiple teachers and tutors about my strengths (or lack of them perhaps), and also all the other dramas of life, depression, financial lack and more. I still get the occassional bouts of self doubt and questioning, but then I find an old portfolio (like the one containing the above beauties) or I go back to my parents’ house and find my mountain of art books, folders, sketchpads, paintbrushes, scalpels and the rest (yeah, sorry Ma & Pa, I really should unburden you of my hoard soon) and I remember that this is me, I was made for this.
I’m not planking on a million, and I would love to have the financial freedom that comes with prostrating yourself upon piles of smelly cash, but there’s another level of freedom that comes with doing what you were made to do, the harmony of mind, body and soul. I’m seriously grateful for the opportunity to experience this, the feeling of satisfaction that exceeds whatever you had to sacrifice to get here.
And the future awaits, yo, so much more achieve.
