I also experienced the struggle of depression in my life. Just a couple years ago in fact. There were lots of reasons for it, but the one I could control the most is that I’d been keeping myself from pursuing my artwork because of it’s ‘impracticality’. I got a degree in marketing then, similar to your experience, followed the design career pathway.

I’m glad now for the degree, but not so much for the 15 years plus that I spent doing full-time graphic design because I was too afraid to just be the artist that I am. I didn’t believe in myself; and I’d developed a lot of unhealthy beliefs about what I was and wasn’t capable of achieving, and what I had a right to try and achieve.

What changed for me was that my father, an exceptionally talented photographer, passed on in the fall of 2011. He never was able to pursue his dream of following photography full-time, as he was an accountant with a lot of little mouths to feed! So after his passing I devoted myself to making my art career a success. I know that is what he wanted for me all along. Gosh, still chokes me up to think about it.

I’m still working as a part time graphic designer, as I need to maintain a secure income for my family, for a while yet. My art career is growing well, as I’m also engaged in my own art marketing. Thank you for sharing your story; it’s greatly appreciated. Cheryl