Scroll all the way down If you prefer the video version. If not, enjoy the blog 🙂

Hello everyone, welcome artsy peeps to my blog. Today I’m going to be sharing with you guys my personal art story and journey of becoming a full time artist. The frustration, the process, wanting to give up, the growth and beauty of it all. Maybe this story can encourage you or someone to not give up on your dreams. enjoy the article.

After graduating from high school in 2010, I was trying to figure out what was right for me, I knew being an artist was something that I wanted to pursue but I wasn’t sure how to do it. First, I went to college to become a scenic artist just like my Mom. But, after working alongside her for so long and seeing how such intense labor could break down your body I decided to step down. I had such an intense respect and appreciation for all that my Mom had accomplished; but I felt that my passion in art was elsewhere.

At that time I was obsessed with baking shows and thought about how fun it would be to be a cake decorator! That’s kind of like a scenic artist for dessert… Right? I had also taken a job in a bakery, so why not attend pastry school and turn that part-time job into a career! In 2012 I attended a private (and prestigious) pastry school. I’d wake up early and make a 40 minute commute to Orlando every day–It was tough but I was really enjoying it! However… The school unfortunately went bankrupt before I could graduate and I was back to square one. (At least my student loans were forgiven!) I still had a love for baking and thought about pursuing it once again but, at the time, didn’t feel quite ready to enroll in a different school. However, I will be bringing edible art in my own colorful fantasy style to my channel very soon so stay tuned!

In 2013 I left Florida for a brand new start in Virginia Beach with my partner at the time. I wrestled with my next move while working at Starbucks (as many artists do). I had thought of starting an Etsy shop selling my acrylic art but didn’t take it too seriously at the time. What really was scratching my creative itch was doing makeup and styling my hair! Doing makeup and hair tutorials is what actually got me started with YouTube on my channel “PiePiePinup!” Maybe I could combine makeup with my Mom’s legacy of scenic painting? Some sort of special effects perhaps?! I looked into going back to school once again and even made a mold of my face to practice making some gnarly looking prosthetics or masks. but it ultimately was another deadend.

A few years later I separated from my partner and moved back to Florida with my lovely hound Moxie and didn’t look back. Invigorated from my new start I made the choice right then and there to become a full-time artist! It was something I was always coming back to even though I was trying different aspects of art though the years. I thought the best way to achieve that dream was through YouTube. I re-branded the channel to “Visual Feels” and made piepiepinup into a comic book character.

from there, I started to make serious online content. From then on I focused on improving my painting skills and tried to come up with ways to sell my art while also promoting my channel. In 2016 I started preparing for my first art show and figured it’d be my big break! I prepared day and night leading up to the show painting bags and made a bunch of designs for people to pick from! And then… None of them sold. Then I tried again… And sold one… While I wasn’t even at my booth! I had to go to the restroom so mom made the sale. I didn’t even get the satisfaction of making my first sale! (I created a blog post which I will link down below if you’d like to read more) I ended up making a collage out of all the bags that I didn’t sell to keep as a memory.

From that point on, I continued to explore art and tried just about everything! Starting an Etsy store again, trying digital art, learning about video production/editing, and so much more. I experienced many failures but continued to grow from each of them. In 2019 my dreams of becoming a full-time artist started to seem further and further out of my reach. Rent continued to climb, my best friend in the whole world Moxie had passed away, and I began to spend more of my energy focusing on my job than pursuing my passion.

I ended up taking a management position at my work just so that I could keep a roof over my head. I’d watch YouTube videos and see the success that other artists would have and couldn’t help but feel a bit bitter and discouraged (I hate to admit). I would literally be sitting there, head in my hand, and groan seeing everyone else achieve what I had put so much time into. I felt like the unluckiest artist ever! I didn’t want to get stuck in a corporate job for the rest of my life! I love to create, it’s in my soul–It’s who I am. I feel so grounded and alive while I’m creating my art! That’s what kept me going even throughout all the hardships… That and I’m stubborn while pursuing my dreams!

For the next couple of years I would journal constantly, writing down any idea that came to my mind for a potential piece or video idea in the hopes that someday I would be able to create them. However, it was nearly impossible to make those dreams a reality with bills to pay. My art was just not paying the bills and my job was dominating all of my time. I had many nights of hopelessness, tears, and the strong feeling of dread that I was stuck with no way out.

But Then, a little light started to shine through the darkness and new opportunities started to arise… The positivity in my life just started to snowball! I finished my first painting in­ two years “The Toad Has Spoken”, I became an auntie, and I attracted my true soul mate! (It took awhile but he was right underneath my nose the whole time). The two of us moved in together in an apartment where rent was no longer an issue and I immediately felt a weight lift off my shoulders! I now have a loving partner who has been nothing but supportive and helpful since we’ve been together and because of that I felt like I could comfortably step down from my management position.

Once again I could start to chase the dream that I truly never let go of! I feel like the Art Gods have granted me my biggest wish of all! But, I would never want to take advantage of their generosity, and because of that I have decided to focus on myself for just a bit before taking my next big step in 2024. I’m Focus on my mental health, spending time with my niece, saving money for new art supplies, paying off my debt, and settling into my new home with the love of my life. While I’ll still be scratching that video production creative itch with YouTube shorts here and there, 2024 will be a new beginning for Visual Feels!

If you are an artist in pursuit of your dreams, I hope this story and my experiences can encourage you to keep going. You will be learning and growing a lot but that truly never goes away. Following what you love will never be easy but You matter, your passions matter, and your dreams are never truly out of reach! Always shoot for the moon because even if you miss you’ll still land amongst the stars.

Here’s the video version. Enjoy 🙂