The Art of Not Giving Up: Why I Rehired Myself

My art journey has been anything but linear—it's been wild, colorful, and full of twists and turns. But did you know I’ve quit three times and even fired myself once?

Yep. Gave myself the boot. But don’t worry—I rehired myself and gave myself the job back because, well, I’m still here! (I’m such a good boss, kidding, not all the time) And honestly, I love almost every minute of it.

Of course, there are still things that I don’t enjoy as much—like the nitty-gritty side of running an art business. (Looking at you, content consistency and website updates. 🙃) But I’ve been working on making those things more fun! A good playlist to help me focus (hello, Piano Guys 🎶), a cozy drink—hot chocolate, cappuccino, coffee, or tea, depending on the mood—and suddenly, even the less exciting tasks feel a little more enjoyable.

Now, let’s talk about the good stuff—the things that make my artist’s heart sing. Painting, obviously. But also capturing beautiful studio shots of flowers, art supplies, and little behind-the-scenes moments that I love sharing with you.

Oh! I almost forgot—you’re probably burning with curiosity about why I quit and fired myself.

Well… I don’t remember exactly why I quit the first and third time (maybe a dramatic flair for the existential crisis? 😅), but the second time? That one stuck with me. It was because of another artist’s words.

Looking back, it’s a little sad. They said something along the lines of, “We do this for fun, but it’ll never pay the bills.” And I believed it. Not only did I quit on my art, but I quit on myself. I couldn’t see the future I wanted—the one where I painted abstracts that spoke of inspiration, beauty, light, and color. The one where my art was not only something I loved but something that could build the life of my dreams.

You’re probably thinking, Who even says something like that?

Someone who had their own dreams crushed. Someone too scared to give it their all and reach for the moon, forgetting that even if you miss, there’s a whole galaxy waiting for you. ✨

So, in 2023, I worked hard—really hard—on my mindset. I told myself over and over: I deserved to be a successful artist. The world needs my art. There are people out there looking for exactly what I create.

And guess what? Something amazing happened. At the Agora Art Walk in 2024, a couple in their late 40s or early 50s stopped at my booth. They just stood there. Silent. Staring.

At first, I panicked—like, oh no, they hate it, what’s happening?! But after they stepped outside, they came back in. And then, with tears in his eyes, the husband finally spoke.

His wife said, “This is the first time since we’ve been together that we’ve both agreed on what art to buy. It shocked us.”

And he added, “Normally, it’d have to have a tree in it for us to agree… but this? This doesn’t even have a tree at all.”

That moment hit me hard. If I had given up, if I hadn’t come back to my art, that couple would have never found October Skies—a painting that clearly meant something to them. And that, my friends, is why we keep going.

Oh, and about that time I fired myself? That was because I ran myself ragged. I wasn’t treating myself well, I was letting others treat me badly, and I just felt completely drained. So, I “quit.” (And let’s just say, when I finally came back to my studio, there was a lot of dusting involved. 😆)

But I’m not sharing all this as a “woe is me” story. I’m sharing it to remind you: keep showing up for yourself and your art. Because the world needs what only you can create. There’s someone out there looking for exactly what you bring into the world. So if you’ve ever quit or fired yourself, consider this your official rehire notice.

Now, get back in that studio—there are collectors waiting for you. 😉🎨