A like minded artist

by Bridget Winterbourne

Hello Marion,

My name is Bridget Winterbourne and I have been reading your interview on painters-on-line which has led me to view your fantastic website. I understand everything you say about the beautiful country we live in and how we should learn to preserve/protect and appreciate it. I love to paint landscape and seascapes and immediately felt a connection with your work.

I have taken inspiration from your site and would love to be brave enough to give up my full time job and dedicate myself to my passion and dreams. I am now 47 happlily married and have two children 10 and 12 years old. We are fairly finacially secure but it still seams such a frightening step to take.

Already only after a short time I have been successful exhibiting in Somerset and Cornwall, have created a website and had great feedback from painters-on-line. It is extremely difficult whilst working full time,being a mum etc. to make a real go at trying to promote my art let alone paint.

How do you know when it is the right time to take the next step.

Thank you if you can give me any helpful advice, it would be really appreciated.
Bridget


Dear Bridget,
Thank you so much for writing to me. It is really exciting to read about your art journey. Also I'm delighted that my site has been helpful, encouraging and inspiring to you.

It is a frightening and bold question that you are asking yourself, changing career and jumping in to the world of art is no easy decision. However I have to say you must follow your heart.

In many ways the decision I took to change from being a primary school teacher to a full-time professional artist was made slightly easier as it coincided with a geographical move. Also although I loved being with the children I'd had enough of the paperwork and politics that sadly goes with the job of a primary school teacher.

I would like to ask you a question, which may help you in your decision-making. If a few days or even a few weeks go by and you have not had the chance to paint, sketch, put colour on paper, or use your art materials do you feel a sense of withdrawal? Is there a part of you that is just desperate to get on and paint? If the answer to these questions is yes then I would like to suggest it is time for you to take the leap, perhaps go part-time in paid employment.

If you do not follow your dream then you will always wonder what could have happened if you did. Also from what you have shared your work is already selling, it is already popular and in today's difficult economic climate that must be some proof that you are definitely heading in the right direction.

I really hope I have been of some help to you. I'm sure it is not just myself but many of my website readers that would like to hear over the next few months how things have turned out. Also I would be really happy to do a link to your website if you would like me to do so.

I wish you every possible success and happiness in what ever you choose as your next steps in your art journey. All the very, very best.