On dreams and reality, how they are really one in the same...

So much has happened since my last post! Last time I was posting I was living in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica painting for local galleries and surfing a world class break 2-3 times a day. What a life right? It's crazy how as a young girl I dreamed of being a surf artist and living in Costa Rica. Then I "grew up" went to college for a science degree and kind of threw the artist dream out the window as unrealistic and fleeting. I fell away from my original dreams, chasing what I thought was the right career path because most people didn't take me seriously that I wanted to paint waves, travel, and surf. I gave into them and followed a traditional path of college, internships, and job hunting. It was so hard for me.  My side job as an artist was always so easy though.  The science career was not my calling and I quickly found myself back in the art business. And even faster in a Central American country actually making it as an artist and being respected for it.  I got so nervous walking into galleries with my portfolio and to my surprise everyone invited me into their stores and people were even buying my art off the streets. There is no better feeling than that and actually making it as an artist painting waves, surfing, and travelling.  I am so grateful for what my education brought me and how it really enhanced my art and my connection to the ocean.  I am living proof that you can make it as the travelling surf artist :) 

Last November the plan was to move to Costa Rica and start an art business. So we packed up, moved, and I started painting. I quickly realized once we got to Costa Rica that this was not a place I wanted to open a business and live. It was a place I just wanted to visit a lot and expand my portfolio. Maybe I am not courageous enough to tackle the foreign language barriers, visa hassels, and abiding by another countries foreign policies. So I was happy enough to paint for local galleries and really develop my portfolio while we relaxed in the sun and surfed. We decided to move back to the states after Winter and began researching places to open an art gallery right on the ocean. We found the perfect spot in Carolina Beach, NC and we were approved for the first place we applied for! Then it was on to house hunting and moving.  On top of it all we found out we were expecting our first child! So now here we are, I am 13 weeks pregnant, our gallery is open and we are moved into our new beach house. There is so much to look forward to and I am happy about our location and place in life. I have committed to a location but the gallery is seasonal still allowing for us to travel in the winter in search of waves and inspiration! Pura Vida right?!

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