Four Years Ago
Four years ago, I was a stay at home mom with my DBA getting dusty on the shelf for Paper Heart Design. My girls were 2 and 5, so I was deep in the throes of young motherhood. I love my children so deeply, but there was something missing at that time in my life. There was a hole in my heart where I used to live. When I say “I” I mean, Annie. Not mommy, not wife, not daughter, but Annie. Motherhood changes everything and I totally lost myself in that beautiful, exhausting, epic journey.
Four years ago, I saw a post from an acquaintance on Facebook that read something like, “Any creative moms out there looking to get out of the house and make a little money?” I messaged that acquaintance, who is now a very close friend, and she said Parker Lane Art & Design Studios was looking for painting instructors. I called and was asked to come in for an interview at. At the interview I met Renee’ Deckrow and Dacia Parker, who have been instrumental in my return to my creative heart, they were in the midst of rebranding Ashman Plaza. So, not only did I get hired on to be a painting instructor, I was right back into graphic design, and I was thrilled. I was useful. I was appreciated for my skills. I was creating.
Four years ago, I got back on my creative path and found myself again. I remembered that creating makes me happy and is worthy of carving out time for. It is necessary to carve out time for! Now I have an established graphic design studio, with an office in The Ashman Plaza, I get to design for small business owners all the time, I paint regularly, and my kids have revealed themselves to be makers at heart as well.
Four years ago, I took my then five year old to a painting class. I saw myself in her, as she hummed along to the music, one arm behind her back as she let the brush lead the way in her hand. It was a great day. I’m so grateful I saw that random Facebook post, which I don’t think was actually all that random. I think I was supposed to see it, because I was supposed to meet these people, because I’m supposed to be a maker.
In an effort to foster a creatives community I’ve started a Facebook group called Art is a Record, the same name as this blog. I would love for you to join in the fun as we discuss creative living, projects, art, and life.
