loripratico's blogs

Never Stop Dreaming.

June 29, 2012

Ten years ago, I found myself at one of the lowest points in my life. Unfortunately those that know me well, know there were many low points leading up to this particular one. I find peace in knowing that most of my struggles were accumulated when I was young, and I was given the opportunity to grow and strengthen within them so that I can be the person I am today. Ah yes, "today".

I started the day with my usual morning ritual of tidying up the studio from yesterdays projects and getting prepared for what needed to be done today. Then I'm not sure why, but I stopped, and I looked around me. I took a deep breath and suddenly remembered ten years ago. Ten years ago the only thing I was sure of was my kids. They were most definitely and always have been my light. Ten years ago I had never attempted putting paint to a canvas. Ten years ago all my art supplies fit in a shoe box. You could have probably tucked my self esteem neatly away in that shoebox also. What I did have, and always seemed to have was my dreams. I remember going to Pearl one Saturday and buying the largest newspaper print sketch pad I had ever seen, and a box of charcoals. I pictured myself doing large charcoal sketches of live models, I could see the work in front of me already sketched onto the paper, but never the less I was so scared to put myself out there that my charcoal was put in the shoebox, and the sketch pad was tucked neatly under the bed, the only place it fit. My dreams though, those I took with me. I carried them everywhere, and somewhere along the line I ended up here. Today.

Today I have a studio, full of art supplies. Walls full of my art, and art from other artists and friends whom I love. You can almost say all of my dreams have come true, but I still carry lots of dreams around with me. I truly believe in never giving up. If you stay focused on what you want in life it will come to you.

(p.s.) Next month marks my ten year anniversary with my partner Pam. <3