Artist's Story: Show Up For Yourself

For years, I had dreamed of putting together a solo show—a vision that began the day I started calling myself a professional artist. I imagined the paintings, the storytelling, the energy in the room…but it remained a dream for a long time. Life kept moving, responsibilities kept growing, and I kept telling myself, “One day.”

Then, "one day" came at possibly the most crucial and chaotic point in my life. I was offered a chance to finally do the show. I said yes, thinking I’d somehow manage to pull it off. What I didn’t realize was how much that yes would ask of me.

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I had just made one of the hardest decisions anyone can make, walking away from a marriage of over two decades. It wasn’t a clean break. It was layered, painful, and still in progress. But it was necessary for my peace, my sanity, and my self-worth. That part of the journey is still unfolding, but what came next tested every ounce of resilience I had.

While navigating a separation, I had to create a body of work—50 paintings. At many points, I thought I couldn’t do it. I doubted myself, questioned the timing, and nearly backed out more than once. I kept thinking, “Who am I to do this right now?”

But something inside me kept saying, “If you set your mind to it, you’ll find a way.”

I painted through the chaos. Through tears. Through fear. Through silence. Through moments of absolute uncertainty. I painted like I was rebuilding myself, one canvas at a time. Nothing felt like me, but at the time, it was difficult to accept that I’m changing, too. I’m not the same anymore.

It was mid-December, and I had just returned from Montana after leaving all my new work at a gallery there. I barely had five new paintings, and I knew I had to start over…So I did. In four months, I painted like it was my first portfolio of the Mastery Program. I let go of perfection. I leaned into what came naturally. I worked in batches, in series, in bursts of feeling. I gave it everything I had.

Even a month before the show, I considered postponing. Nothing felt “ready.”

But then, one day, I put all the paintings together in a room, and something clicked. What I saw wasn’t just a collection of paintings. It was a story. A story of surrender, of trust, of grit. A story where hope had the loudest voice. A journey of someone who chose to show up for herself even when the world felt uncertain.

I’ve never seen a woman in my family or circles walk this kind of path alone, and maybe that’s the reason I was so scared, but it was also why I had to do it—for my daughters, for myself, and for that version of me who once thought she needed permission to dream.

And that’s what I truly want to leave you with today: the reminder that it’s okay to choose yourself. That sometimes, the hardest paths are the ones that lead us back home to who we really are.

It’s not easy to walk away from what’s familiar. It’s not easy to rebuild when your hands are shaking. And it’s certainly not easy to create when your heart is breaking. But it is possible. 

I’ve learned that embracing yourself, your voice, your truth, your calling, is the bravest thing you can do. It means listening when your soul whispers, even if the world doesn’t understand. It means trusting that you are allowed to take up space, to dream boldly, and to walk your journey—messy, real, and fully yours.

And yes, the hard things will come. The moments that stretch you. The decisions that change everything. But if you meet them with honesty, if you keep walking with integrity and heart, you will come out stronger, softer, wiser.

So if you’re standing at a crossroads today, if you’re questioning whether you’re ready, let me tell you: You don’t have to be ready. You just have to be willing.

Willing to try. Willing to begin. Willing to bet on yourself.

Because everything you’re seeking—freedom, peace, fulfillment—begins when you say yes to you.

Ready to take your art career to the next level? At Milan Art Institute, we believe that mastering your craft is just the beginning—building connections, sharing your story, and confidently representing your work are key to success. Our programs equip artists with the skills, mindset, and strategies to thrive in the art world.

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