Ever here this? Oof! As an artist, this phrase can hurt deeply! My response, “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life!” Do what you love and do it now. Life is truly too short.

Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.

This bonsai is drawn with all dots. If you follow me, then you know this is my favorite pen and ink technique. The precision of the dotwork brings peace when I'm creating the artwork. A meditative feeling, happiness. Which brings me to this thought: do the things in life that make you happy!

If you know my background (you can read more here) you know that I opened Hoot Design Studio in 2019 after the passing of my Dad. He struggled with dementia in a nursing home for 3 years. I would catch glimpses of the man I once knew. On his better days, he would remind me that life is in fact very short. Do the things NOW that you want to do. Take risks and live without regret.

My dream? - to design and illustrate full time! I've worked as a graphic designer doing production jobs for over 15 years. The work had become cookie cutter, stale and not very creative. I was a keyboard puppeteer being told to add more star bursts, make it bold and fill up every inch of that white space - it's valuable real estate we paid for that I was wasting! I was told my designs looked like I dropped them in a mud puddle, and we don't have time for your arts & crafts. Just buy clipart!! 😐

I always wanted to be a fine artist BUT I went to school for graphic design as this seemed to be a more employable option and I was often told being an art major meant I would starve and end up flipping burgers for a living. I loved to draw BUT was quickly convinced by the wrong mentors in life that this was a hobby and I would never make any money doing it. "Go get a real job"

Well, Dad it's almost 3 years since you passed - and I'm here to tell ya HOOT is working out. I design full time for myself and YES I get to draw for a living. Who would have guessed for beer cans?!

Looking to have something designed? I’d be delighted to bring your vision to life! Contact me below for a FREE discovery call and design estimate.

 

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