“You told me I couldn’t paint and I didn’t look like an artist.”
I hope this message finds you well. Twenty-three years ago, as I left the University of the Arts for the last time, I carried with me words that deeply impacted my journey as an artist. It was suggested that I had not progressed in my craft, a sentiment that resonated painfully as I removed my thirteen artworks, under the tearful gaze of my mother. Her disappointment was not just in the criticism but in the unfulfilled potential she believed I possessed.
My mother, whose intellect was both tested and proven, felt each word as keenly as I did. For many years, those comments shadowed my passion for art, diminishing my desire to create. However, this Mother’s Day, I write to honor her memory and to share the path I have since traveled.
Since then, I have earned a Master’s degree in Digital Marketing through an accelerated program and established myself as a respected graphic designer and web developer. My professional success in these fields has been gratifying, bringing both recognition and financial rewards. Moreover, I have returned to the visual arts, now displaying my work internationally, thanks to a blend of artistic expression and digital marketing acumen. My creations are featured worldwide, and I have authored books that push the boundaries of traditional and digital art forms.
This letter is not written in resentment but as a reflection from a place of growth and forgiveness. If I could speak to my 23-year-old self, I would echo Romans 8:28: “All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord.” This passage has taught me that every experience, whether positive or harsh, shapes us for the better.
Today, I am no longer defined by past critiques but empowered by my resilience and achievements. I am committed to nurturing young artists, guiding them with encouragement rather than criticism, to cultivate their talents and confidence.
Thank you for playing a part in my journey, inadvertently setting me on this path of rediscovery and success. I pray for you and appreciate how everything unfolded, preparing me for this moment.
Warm regards,
