Turning my passion into my career....

Turning my passion into my career....

I had no great life plan.I seem to have happened across most things by chance and have been very lucky in the process.

I remember sitting on a Pembrokeshire beach around 10 years ago sketching and a lovely person asked if I was a professional artist ? I laughed out loud and joked "oh no I just do this for fun". But I was flattered that she even asked the question. I just carried on painting for many more years in snatched hours on holidays and at weekends.

Children and work kept me very busy but I loved to paint....

And so around 18 months ago after a lot of thought and a lot of encouragement from family, friends and people via Facebook and twitter, I decided to leap into self employed work as a full time artist. It has been a steep learning curve to say the least. Keeping accounts, learning about print runs, putting a price on a picture, these are all skills I am still learning. 

Then I have to find a rhythm to my days and a list of ongoing work, taking post to the post office, packaging ,answering queries and coping with rejections as well as praise

But I can honestly say so far so good , I am busy, I am making a living and I still love to paint , so when people ask me what I do for a living .... I can say "I am an artist".

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4 comments

Lovely to see your pictures, proud owner of one, wondering which Pembrokeshire beach so many beautiful ones around here.

Ros

Rachel, you’re an inspiration! I would love to do what you did and turn my dream of being an artist into reality.

Kirsty

Your work is beautiful, and after been giving my Robin picture at xmas, I am a confirmed follower of your work, just keep doing what your doing! Well done!

Joyce colmer

You most certainly can say you are an artist Rachel!

SUe GIles

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