My Journey

"Chase your dream." That always sounded like a good idea when I heard it in inspirational movies or telling it to other people. But now that it's my turn, its daunting. However, I am determined. If I'm gonna do this I have to give it all that I've got.

When I got into high school, I started freshman year late and the art class I wanted to take was full. So, as a result, I was put into a class called 'Ceramics'. I honestly didn't even know what that was, my counselor had to explain it to me. Working in pottery wasn't what I wanted to do but I figured it's better than nothing. By the end of senior year, I had won two awards, been accepted to an art internship, and stayed at the University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth for a young artists program, all because of my ceramic pieces. I still drew and painted and finally got into that art class I wanted, but ceramics became my favorite thing to do. I found that there was something so amazing about picturing a 3D object in your head and then creating it. I loved turning everyday household items, like plates or coin bowls, into a work of art that made life more colorful.

Senior year is also all about applying to colleges and getting scholarships. I was struggling with this because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I didn't always have a dream since I was kid. My friends all were applying to the colleges they always wanted to go to, to select a major they've always planned for. All I had was my art. I couldn't make a living off of that. The thought never even occurred to me to sell my art work because being an independent artist just wasn't a logical option. Would I really be able to support myself, and possibly a family, hoping that my work sells? I decided I would be an art teacher. I like kids, and I like art, so I figured this would be the best thing for me. I went my whole senior year believing I would be an art teacher, but when the time came to actually select a school and declare a major, I was stuck. I didn't know if that's really what I wanted. My first year in the community college, and I realized that I really don't know what I'm doing, and that scared me.

There's this little place at the very end of an outside mall I live near, that is closed and up for rent. Ever since I saw it, I've thought about what it'd be like to own that space and open up my own studio. Every time I thought about it, I brushed the thought away, it just seemed too far out of reach. I started telling people, "I don't really know what I'm going to major in, but in a perfect world, I would love to open up my own store and sell my work." Later I realized, this was my dream. I had a dream. I had never had a dream before. There was never anything I was really passionate about enough to have a dream. But this was it. I still was too unsure of myself to do anything about it though.

Recently, I had a long talk with my older sister. She out of the blue asked me if I've decided what I'm going to school for yet. I said no, but I told her about my dream to have a studio. She said something no one has ever said to me before, "Why not?" In response I told her that I wouldn't make enough money. Once again she said, "Why not?" This sparked a long conversation of the details of the matter, in which to every excuse I made, she gave me a reason to believe in myself. She told me that when she was my age she didn't know what to do either. Now she's making her dream of being a writer, a reality. She told me she's never been happier. Just having this one person truly believe in me, and making my dream seem actually attainable, changed my whole perspective. I have decided, this is what I am doing. I'm going to work my butt off, save my money and get everything I need to get going. Making ceramics isn't cheap, the materials are expensive. But if I can just get a few things out there and get my name known then maybe I can do it. For the first time in my life, I have a dream, and I'm going for it!

I will write about my journey, and any advice I can give to other young artists as well, trying to make their dream come true.