I went to college to study biology, but I couldn’t stay out of the art room. I’d figured science would be the more practical route, so I didn’t sign up for any art classes (even though that’s what I really loved). I ended up graduating with degrees in fine art and journalism, but they hadn’t said much about the business side.

I’d no idea how to make a living as an artist, so I went to work at a newspaper.

I’d get free tickets to any concert or event in Minneapolis, which was especially fun in my early 20’s. But my favorite press pass was to a very small reading with Maya Angelou.

That was a moment that changed my life forever.

I’d snuck the press pass out of my editor’s mailbox. I was at a point in my life where I hadn’t painted in ages. I’d had an art professor who gave me my lowest grade and insulted my work during a class critique. Then a gallery owner wouldn’t hang my painting where I wanted because I said I liked the way the art matched the color of the wall. I was working full-time and I had no time for creativity.

So when I heard Maya read her poem Phenomenal Woman (if you haven’t read it, please do), I got shivers between my shoulder blades. I felt the power of creativity again and knew I had to return to my art.

It wasn’t long after that I quit my “dream” job at the newspaper. I had no idea what I was going to do or where it would all lead, but I knew I had to return to my heart. It took many different jobs after that – as a journalist, photographer, graphic designer, floral designer, website developer and more – before I finally realized the only thing I could put my heart into was being a full-time artist.

Following your dreams doesn’t have to feel overwhelming and impossible — you’ll learn how, step by step, in my Business For Creatives online workshop.

Click HERE to learn more about Business For Creatives.

Happy painting!
xo, Juliette

Ps. If you want even more inspiration and insights into my creative process, plus behind the scenes sneak peeks + free videos that I only share in my newsletter, click HERE to sign up for my newsletter and join my free painting workshop .