‘Chasing the dream’
Aren’t we all sometimes at the point of life, when we need a bit of a change?
A small break to try something new - maybe not forever, but at least for a while.
Giving a crack those small - and at the same time - big ideas and dreams,
that we never had time and courage for?!
READ MY STORY
(polkafolk story & get inspired :)
… 2019, almost 40 degree day, in the middle of suburban Sydney - I made a deal with a very shadey character …
- I bought a van off him.
It now may sound funny, but I thought that this grubby, slightly dented, manual Toyota van was a solution to all my frustrations at the time - a home and an art studio on wheels, that will let me travel and create on the road - far away from my busy Sydney lifestyle - far away from my 9 to 9 architecture job, almost burnt out, with health issues, feeling less and less of myself.
I wanted to be a
hippie vanlifer watercolour artist
but I became …
”We drove off with a rattling sound - me with a cheeky smile and a very confused passenger by my side - now also co-owner of the van - my forever understanding, but very unconvinced (at the time) fiance.
It was pretty much the first time I was driving a car on the road in Australia - a manual van - the opposite site of the road with a gearstick on the opposite side - on the very busy streets of Sydney - a big, clumsy and loud van.
Shit scared and repeating to myself - “be brave - you can do it!
It’s just the beginning!” (from the journal).
Back then I was going a million miles an hour, dreaming about a creative vanlife!
Being on the road - ‘researching life’ - painting roadtrip inspired pieces and selling them at some local markets
- perfect - THE DREAM!
After a Chrissy break, with lots of time to think about the upcoming new year, I quit my architecture job and I also convinced my partner to quit his - to go on an adventure before our planned wedding and big move to Poland, where I come from.
In the mean while, a lot of things have happened…
Let me shorten this crazy ride:
✨We drove our van to Tasmania and when travelling and volunteering at a permaculture farm during our 2nd week of adventure - covid hit.
✨We sat in lockdown.
✨We travelled again and got married without anyone around.
✨We settled in Hobart.
✨I did a small business course.
✨I did heaps of local markets selling my art in a closed state to the rest of the world - barely breaking even, but I didn’t want to completely give up.
✨I came back to a part time architecture job - a job in the most dreamy architecture office and team I could only imagine and in moderate capacity of time to still persue my illustrations and mentor program with a small business course.
✨I got pregnant.
✨I got a spot at Salamanca Market (Hobart, Tasmania) which was a massive achievement and opportunity.
✨I gave birth.
✨The borders re-opened and the markets were going off! uuuuuuhuuuu
Life got very busy ;) a little person changed a lot and I had to moderate on some of my ambitious small business plans.
But I am still here! Strong :)
Very inspired (although not always with free hands to put these ideas on paper)
Very proud of persuing my dream - working hard and slowly adjusting to my new role… a mama artist.
I wanted to be a
hippie vanlifer watercolor artist
and I become …
… a mama artist.
Life has all sorts of surprises for us :)
I imagined my lifestyle change so differently, when I took this first brave step.
Now I couldn’t be more grateful where life has taken me - just because I decided to change things in my life and pursue my dreams.
I wrote this text just at the end of the year for you - a great time to reflect on our lives and what can we improve to be better versions of ourselves.
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… and the journey continues :)
Come and find us at Salamanca Market in Hobart, Tasmania most weekends, or follow the creative journey here on the blog.
