Hey everyone! Today, I wanted to indulge a bit and share some stories from my childhood that pointed me towards becoming an artist. It’s always fun to reflect on the past and see how those early experiences shaped who I am today. So, let’s take a little trip down memory lane.
As a kid, I would spend hours drawing every single day. My fascination with anime characters and video game characters was endless. I’d fill sketchbooks with drawings of my favorite characters and even create my own original ones. And dragons! I can’t even count how many dragons I drew. They were a big part of my childhood imagination, each one more intricate and detailed than the last.
One of the most pivotal experiences for me was living in Okinawa, Japan. The art there was so vibrant and unique, whether it was in local shops, graffiti, or even in places where you wouldn’t expect to find art. The influence of Japanese art left a lasting impression on me. My mom’s growing collection of manga was another huge inspiration. I would spend hours poring over those books, absorbing the styles and stories, which fueled my love for drawing even more.
I also had a bunch of “how to draw manga” books that were like treasures to me. They helped me refine my skills and gave me new techniques to try out. I was so into video games and anime that I would often pause whatever we were watching on VHS to try and recreate the scenes. It wasn’t the perfect way to learn, but it certainly was fun and challenging.
Fast forward to college, where I studied fine arts for a couple of years. This was an amazing time for me to delve into more serious aspects of art like realism, anatomy, and various techniques. I developed a particular love for cross-hatching and oil painting, even if I wasn’t particularly great at it at first. But then, life took over, and I ended up stepping away from art for about a decade. Apart from a few sporadic paintings, I didn’t do any serious sketching or pursue any artistic aspirations during that time.
A few years ago, something changed, and I found myself drawn back to art. Picking up my sketchbook and digital tablet again was both humbling and exciting. That first year back was tough—I was rusty, and my imagination felt stifled. But with persistence, my creativity started to flow again, and I began to regain and improve my skills. Now, I feel like my art is better than it’s ever been, though I know there’s always more to learn and more skills to develop.
Looking back, I do have some regrets about not drawing for so long. I often wonder how much further along I’d be if I hadn’t taken that long break. But I try not to dwell on the past too much. Instead, I focus on making the most of my present and future with art. I want my future to be filled with the same love for art that I had as a kid.
Being an adult comes with its own set of challenges. Sometimes, you end up letting go of the things that are most important to you in order to make others happy. I wish I had kept up with my art, but I didn’t think it would lead anywhere. Now, even though I might be struggling, at least I’m doing what I love. I’m not giving up, and I don’t plan to.
I might need to find more work to keep myself financially secure, but having another job isn’t going to stifle my creativity or kill my art business. If anything, it’s going to make me stronger and more confident in my journey. It’s all about finding balance and making sure you keep the things you love close to your heart.
Can anyone else relate to losing their love of art, only to rediscover it later? Or maybe you have stories about how you became an artist? I’d love to hear from you and share in your experiences. Let’s keep this conversation going and support each other on our artistic journeys.
Warm regards, Latisha
Latisha Taylor Art 