I can’t believe it’s 2020 already, can you?! As probably the majority of people are focusing on what they can accomplish this new year, I took some time to reflect my accomplishments and major self-discoveries in 2019. Of course, there are always good and bad events that had to happen. However, I did take away important things from reflecting on 2019 and I know that this newfound knowledge will help me tackle 2020 and make it a better year for me than this previous one.
I learned to stop running and denying things.
Coming from a very success and money-oriented family, it’s easy to be swayed into prioritizing money first. Having relatives that studied finance and engineering, it was easy for me to question whether I should really pursue art. The common notion about art is that it’s risky and may not put food on the table – hence, the term “starving artist”.
I felt that pursuing art would not fulfill my obligation to care for my aging mother and at the same time make her happy. I didn’t want my relatives whispering behind my back, “she’s studying art?? Is she gonna be able to make enough money to live on her own and take care of her mom?”
All these self doubts collected and culminated around my high school years, and as a result, I forced myself away from things I liked doing once I entered college. Instead, I thought to find financial solace in other fields like technology and healthcare.
At the beginning of 2019, after going through a traumatizing experience at one workplace, I decided to finally stop running. I will no longer deny myself the things I truly enjoy doing regardless of what people say behind my back or even to my face. Worrying about what people say doesn’t give you that inner peace and satisfaction with your life. This was a really hard thing for me to do, as I’m very concerned with how people view me. But eh. I’m getting older and ain’t nobody got time for that shit.
Photo by Anna Kolosyuk on Unsplash
To a brighter future!
I just finished my first semester back at my local community college where I’m pursuing Graphic Design. The joys of creating and designing things have returned to me. I’ve made so many pieces of art that I never thought I was capable of making. A major self discovery is that I realize I’m more of an illustration gal rather than a graphic design gal.
After trying to look a little deeper to find out what are my strengths and weaknesses in art, I realized that most, if not all of my portfolio pieces are illustration work. If I was bored, I’d rather draw an animal or a piece of fruit rather than designing a logo or a font.
After realizing this, I decided I’d pursue Illustration as a major if I continue on to get a bachelors degree. I have no idea how the job market is for this field, but since I’m back to school for the second time, I’m going to do what I want.
Illustration vs Graphic Design?
Illustration and graphic design both make the use of images, but illustrators provide more of a visual representation of an idea or words and are often more decorative. Basically, they create images or a scene. For example, the person who designed Simba from the Lion King or Chihiro from Spirited Away is an illustrator. In my art Instagram page, I illustrate a lot of food and animal related images.
A graphic designer’s job is to convey a message or idea to a person or group of people by using designs to capture their attention and carry that message. You don’t have to know how to draw to be a graphic designer. For example, billboards, business cards, and flyers are all done by a Graphic Designer. Graphic designers can work on websites and make it look pretty. They work heavily with layouts and design aesthetic, which cannot be simply passed to an illustrator unless they were trained in Graphic Design as well. Similarly, not all graphic designers can draw, so not all can be illustrators either.
Photo by chuttersnap on Unsplash
A Business?
I remember that in the beginning of 2019, I had pretty high ambitions for my Lifestyle blog. Some of my goals back then were to have at least two or three paid collaborations and to make my own coloring book.
I still have that desire, but admittedly, I really didn’t have any direction as to what theme the book would be about, so I didn’t do it.
Close to the end of 2019, Victor had persuaded me to make an online shop, which is something I’ve always thought of, but never pursued. This year, I plan on making this my priority and opening an online shop to sell my illustrations. The first things I’ll have available are art prints, greeting cards, and stickers. Hopefully in the future, I want to add other things like shirts, acrylic charms, enamel pins, etc.
I still plan on blogging (I paid for this, after all!), but it’ll consist mostly of updates on my business and school.
Thank You
Before I end this post, I’d like to especially thank you for sticking with me and reading my blog posts! It’s encouraged me on so many occasions and you’ve all helped me when I needed to make a tough decision about something. I hope you can stick with me this upcoming year too!
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Sounds like you learned a lot from 2019! I hope this year you get more direction for your theme for your book. I would definitely consider purchasing it! Happy New Year! I hope it is a great one for you and your projects! Xxx
I really did, it was helpful to reflect on the previous year to help me grow ! Thank you so much, I appreciate the encouragement. I will definitely let you know if I’m close to finishing it! 🙂 Happy New Year!
Definitely let me know! Thank you xx
Yes, Girl! I can relate to your experience, and it’s great that you found a new path in life that’ll make you happier. My background is in Graphic Design, but I dabble in illustration. I’m looking forward to the opening of your online store. Your artwork is amazing and adorable. So I know you’re going to have some great designs. Good luck with everything!
I’d seriously still be super lost and probably not have gotten to where I am now with business researching if you hadn’t been so kind and extended a lot of help to me! Thank you SOOO much Angela. I am incredibly excited to get the show on the road!! 🙂
i am so proud of you for really going after what you wanted career-wise and school-wise this year. it is so difficult to suppress who you are, but when you talk about art / show your work the passion behind it is really evident.
i can totally see how you’d want to pursue illustration. i’m similar to you in that drawing has always been my favorite form of art over anything else.
cannot wait to see what happens with your shop! as always, wishing you nothing but success this year!
p.s. hope you had a wonderful break visiting victor in canada!
Thank you so much LP! It was hard to really analyze myself because doubts are always there and fear of other things. I’m glad I finally got to it in this lifetime haha! Victor has been a big support to me so I can’t thank him enough for that either hehe. Thank you again girly!! <3
This was such a great post to read, i’m so happy to hear that you’re now following your dreams and your true passions. i’m excited to hear about the prospect of you opening an online store as you’re seriously talented and i’m sure it’ll do great! Best of luck for the upcoming year, sounds like it will be good to you x
Thanks Molly!! I feel energized now that I’m really pursuing something I like. Can’t wait to open up shop!! x
Happy New Year, boo! I can totally relate to you about money. I think it is amazing that you went with your gut and did what you wanted. Sometimes, we need certain events to trigger us to go a different direction, for the better. It is so cool that you’ve been learning a lot and applying your skills into designing. Love that Victor encouraged you to start your own shop! Sending you lots of love for 2020!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
I love this! I hope yoU have a successFul and happy 2020 🙂 xx
It sounds like 2019 was a year of self-discovery and an ideal way to set some foundations for a successful and happy 2020. It can be really hard to turn away from negative thoughts about pursuing a certain job or walk of life, but it’s so important to do what makes you happy. Really, you can turn any passion into a career, it just might take some thinking out of the box at times! You’re clearly such a talented illustrator and your artwork is incredible. I can’t see any reason why you won’t find success on that path and I’m wishing you all the best for 2020. Go get it, girl!
It’s always wonderful when you can look back at a year and realise that you learned so many valuable lessons–even when it’s tough!! I’m happy you’ve taken the plunge to pursue your interests and I’m wishing you the best with all of that in 2020 xxx
I feel like 2019 really took a toll on so many people. I’ve seen so many posts talking about the stresses but yurs is the first to take the positives from it. I can somewhat imagine how hard it must have been to let go of that “security” and move on to what makes your heart sing. I did this myself many years ago. At the end of the day you have to live this life and walk in those shoes. No one else. What works for one isn’t always right for all. Trust me when I say, there is nothing worse than living a miserable and unhappy existence just to make a few content.
Sxx
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Loved reading what you’ve learned and achieved in 2019 Geraldine. It takes a lot of courage to change direction AND follow your dream. I look forward to SEEING what comes next for you 🙂
I’m glad that last year you started making changes to pursue what makes YOU happy. Money is important, yes, but so is happiness. Through your blog and instagram, you’re so passionate about art, so it’s great that you’re going in that direction! Good luck in 2020; I can’t wait to see where it takes your art, school, and business! 🙂
You DEFINITELY sound like you have a BRIGHT FUTURE ahead of you! Good luck in school.
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Hi,geraldine. I’m Happy to Read you are on the path of becoming your truest Self. It’s not easy to detract from and Not absorb naysayers. And Asian families…don’t even get me staRted! Haha But love and belief in yourself is what will pUsh you pass them.
With your renewed focUs and Dedication, I wish you all the best in 2020.
Thank you Daisy! It was very hard but I’m on the path to a brighter future haha and nobody can stop me now!! Thank you, I wish the best for you this new year!!