"Look to the future, because that is where you'll spend the rest of your life."
- George Burns
I vividly remember the last semester of my senior year at CIA as a young aspiring designer. I was on top of the world. I was working round the clock preparing for graduation and was confident that I had everything all set in place for my illustrious future as a car designer. The only question was who did I want to work for, Ford or Chevy?
Boy, can life sometimes throw a curve ball!
Of course, things didn't exactly play out as I had planned. I guess that's just life's way of keeping you on your toes and occasionally letting you know who is in the driver's seat. Looking back, my only regret would be that I too easily accepted not getting hired and wasn't more aggressive in continuing to reapply. I truly believe if I would have freshened up my portfolio and kept knocking on the door I would have gotten in. Hindsight is 20/20 right? The experience taught me to be more aggressive and not lay down so easily. Sometimes you have to keep fighting for what you believe no matter what the consequences.
I suppose God had other plans for me.
Fast forward nearly twenty years and it's been a wildly divergent ride. How comically ironic it is to look at my jobs and projects the past decade. Considering I was so intently focused on doing nothing but car design, you can't help but wonder at where I'm at now. For a designer who used to see the computer as a crutch for those who couldn't draw I now spend the majority of my time using one!
How did I get here?
I grew up in a very supportive and encouraging family but there was always the unspoken belief that sooner or later a man has to grow up and get a real job. Every time I thought of making a career as an artist I'd hear the same little voice in my head. How could you raise a family being a starving artist? You gave it a shot now it's time to get a real job with a steady paycheck. Dreams are great but your responsibility to your family comes first. Responsibility, integrity, and family, that's the way they grow them in Ohio. Not such a bad thing, huh?
Financial stability is a great, liberating thing to have. There's just one catch! You spend nearly 5/7ths of your life at work trying to obtain it. Wouldn't it be great if it was something you actually enjoyed doing? I've had the misfortune of losing a lot of family and friends in the prime of their life to cancer and I don't recall one of them looking back and regretting not having worked more. In fact, most are bitter that they had "wasted" what little time they had doing something they didn't like. Earning a living and supporting your family are essential elements of life but there has to be a balance. How much does one person really need? Is a fat bank account and mediocre benefits worth spending 5/7ths of your life mired in a cubicle?
I don't think so. That's why I'm here. That's the lesson life has taught me about my future. Don't misunderstand my priorities. I still strongly believe in fulfilling my obligations as a father and supporting my family. Pursuing your dreams can't come at the price of neglecting your family. It's just not worth it. Family is the most priceless thing any of us will ever have in this life. The single most important thing I learned from my parents is that there is nothing more valuable or crucial to happiness than time spent together as a family. My kids don't care how much I earn or what my title is. All they want is my time and attention because that is how they equate love. I be there for them if I'm never around because of some job I hate. It's just that simple really. |
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The real clincher is trying to accomplish happiness in both your family life and your professional. That is the challenge I try to conquer today and in the near future. I am blessed and joyful in my family life but now I am working on making my professional dreams come true. How can I tell my children to pursue their dreams if I don't lead by example? the last thing we want for them to do with their lives is settle so why should we?
Thankfully I am now in the position to attempt to re launch my art career and still manage to provide the needs of my family. I have a full time job that covers my expenses yet allows my some free time to work on my art. It is a great deal of hard work and long nights but it is something I truly love to do. I cannot find the right words to describe how happy I am when I am creating art. It is as neutral to me as breathing and it is the one thing I believe I was put on this Earth to do. God willing, someday I'll be able to do what I love full time. That for me is the definition of being "rich".
It is this love for art and all things automotive that drives me into the future.
I am working feverishly to try and broaden my portfolio to offer an even greater range of exciting concepts, sculpture, and artwork. I will be unveiling a new series of paintings that focus on the modern Ferrari's in a unique perspective that has never been seen before. My goal is to offer this body of work in a collection of limited edition prints. I appreciate the fact that not everyone can afford original art or sculpture. I wanted to have something available for collectors and enthusiasts that wouldn't break the bank. This collection of prints will be affordable and easily accessible to everyone.
My recent sculpture "Heritage of Speed" has ignited a passionate desire to do more large scale sculpture. I have been exponentially increasing my fabricating skills and I have spent a great deal of time experimenting with carbon fiber and other composites. I've got a wild idea in my head that would meld the old world and the new in one mind blowing piece.
I have no idea where my dream will take me but I'd be eternally grateful if you would give me the opportunity to share my art with you. If you ever have any creative need personally or commercially I'd appreciate the chance to make your dreams a reality. Whether you need a small painting for your home, a magazine illustration, or a large sculpture installation for your corporate headquarters, I'd love to collaborate with you and create something extraordinary.
You knows, maybe if we put our minds together we can create something that will bring a smile to the face of car enthusiasts long after we are gone. That wouldn't be such a bad legacy to leave behind now would it?
