Today’s shared story comes from Elizabeth Gonzalez, from Puerto Rico.
After many years struggling about what was the right thing to do instead of asking what I would love to do, I finally found myself at peace. Now I love what I do and I do what I love. Not many years ago I realized I am an artist “deep in soul” and a creative business was the right path.
In school I was in science and math curriculums instead of art because of my grades. I thought Art was not meant for me and it was not a surprise that I earned an Industrial Engineering degree. I was hired for a regular job 6 months before graduation day. However, very soon after starting I noticed I was bored. This happened in any job I had no matter whether my work was good. Looking for professional development, I did a Master’s degree in Engineering Management and worked as a university professor.
I was already making art as a hobby and my teaching experience was good. After a few years trying to make the best of my experience as professor and part time artist I realized that what I loved about my job was more than teaching the course itself. I used every opportunity to inspire my students to do what they love, to be true to themselves, to find their passion, to be honest, to be good citizens, good parents, etc. I adapted my own style in management classes and I added five readings about life and business. By that time I was already selling my ceramic to stores.
In 2002, when I was still working as a professor, AVON Puerto Rico found my work and was interested in reproducing it. This was a dream come true. AVON chose two designs and reproduced them in resin. By my birthday they had the prototype. I was mesmerized. They sold more that they planned and later they bought nine more designs. When my mom saw my design in the front cover of the AVON catalog she said, “this is what you should do”. By that time the word ‘licensing’ was unknown for me and I was already in my forties.
In 2007, the same day the School of Management offered me a long time contract, I quit. I was ready to find my true north, my true path. The story is longer and later I had to go back to a regular job but I was always doing both things at the same time – creating ceramics and selling them to stores. This was not easy. The job contract ended and I was all by myself with my creative business.
In 2008, after a very sad experience with my mom’s death I started drawing and painting classes. I found two books about mixed media that changed my life as an artist and creative entrepreneur. It was love at first sight.
Today, I spend most of my time creating art and looking for venues to grow my earning as an artist. Reproducing, manufacturing, licensing, blogging, online teaching and other creative ventures make my life busy and enjoyable. I love creating mixed media art using collage and making journals with papers I create. This is the way I express my feelings, my desires and my purpose in life. I love and I live to make people smile with my art.
Now as a young grandma, I treasure each moment and live with passion. This is the life I’ve always imagined – doing what I love, loving what I do, embracing life as it comes day by day and inspiring others to “enjoy the ride through this amazing life”.
[Images courtesy of Elizabeth Gonzalez.]
