I often wondered if I made the right choice choosing an artistic career path. I've been told since I was a child by the masses that if I did art, I would fail. Art is meant for lazy weirdos, and there's no money in it. As I grew older, these teachings were always in the back of my mind. Even still, I persisted. No matter how many times I tried to swerve away from the path my art was taking me down, I always came back. Nothing seemed as beautiful and fulfilling to me, and after all, I don't live to work, I live to experience all the beautiful things this world has to offer. I made this artwork because to this day, I'm still scared of the struggle I'll face trying to find work as an artist.
My insecurity reminded me of an old wives' tale from my childhood. I can hear my mom saying in my head now, "Don't pick up toads! They'll give you warts!!" I remembered ignoring her words and picking them up anyways, because I thought they were just so cute, and holding them made me happy. I came to find out in my 20's that toad pee never had the ability to give people warts, and it was all hearsay. I remember feeling so glad at that moment that I never restricted myself from what made me happy just because others were fearful of what they thought could happen. I am trying to have this same attitude about my career, and to remember to always do what makes me happy.