If you had asked eight-year-old me what I wanted to be when I grew up, the answer probably would have been, "Someone who gets to draw all day."

I was that kid—the one who was constantly sketching. My very first "product line" (long before I knew what a product line was!) was a collection of stationery cards featuring fashionable girls wearing outfits inspired by the fashion magazines of the '90s. Looking back, I suppose I was accidentally running a tiny design business before I even knew multiplication tables.

Eventually I headed off to college and earned a bachelor's degree in Interior Design. While I enjoyed it, life had other plans. Instead of designing rooms, I spent most of my career as a graphic designer creating invitations, stationery, party decorations, and all kinds of paper goods. I loved helping people celebrate birthdays, weddings, baby showers, graduations, and life's happiest moments.

But somewhere along the way, I realized something important.

Design was my career... but art had always been my first love.

For years, painting felt like one of those dreams I'd get around to "someday." Someday when life slowed down. Someday when I had more confidence. Someday when it didn't feel quite so scary.

As it turns out, sometimes "someday" needs a little push.

With artificial intelligence rapidly changing the design industry, I found myself standing at a crossroads. I could keep chasing a career that was changing faster than I could keep up... or I could finally chase the dream that had been quietly following me since childhood.

So I picked up my paintbrush.

Now I spend my days creating whimsical animals, peaceful landscapes, and artwork inspired by nature and the little moments that make life beautiful. Every painting is created by hand—one brushstroke, one pencil line, and occasionally one "What have I done?" moment that somehow works itself out in the end.

It's funny how life comes full circle. The little girl drawing fashion girls at the kitchen table had no idea where the path would lead. But I think she'd be pretty excited to know that, after all these years, she finally gets to spend her days doing exactly what she loved most.

And honestly... I think she'd tell me it was about time.