opheliaswims

In October 2005, I quit my full time job at the Workbook. I didn’t have a job to go to, or many paying clients. All I knew was that I had to strike out on my own. I was without a sail or a set course. Money was tight, but we got through. I joined flickr and found a community that was supportive and collaborative, I filled out my LinkedIn and started to delve deeper into the internet. I wanted to succeed quickly and I wanted it all at once. But that wasn’t going to happen.

2006, 2007, 2008 flew by and slowly the connections I made along the way has set a path for me. My work that people found online was published in books and magazines. I started to build up a resume and portfolio. I worked more than I relaxed, but it was alright, I was doing it for the future.

Today during a conversation with a friend, I realized that my diving off that cliff 3 years ago has prepared me for the economy ahead. If I hadn’t left that job, I might have been laid off eventually and found myself rudderless. I had prepared myself for this economy by letting go of an identity four years ago, and now I have created one right for these trying times.

I started a new group for women artists at Art Center College of Design, and I built a website to show our projects and to highlight individual work. You can visit here.

The Women of UN/Still Life are artists, mothers, business women, educators, but most important they are all have talents that are unique to each. As a collaborative community we have combined our skills and talents to support each other in reaching each ones’ goals.

Today I called the Los Angeles Times to cancel my subscription of over 20 years. An account supervisor came on the line and offered me the same subscription for $21 a month for seven days delivery, half of what I was paying for the last few years – in reality I am now paying what it is worth. MORE>