You know when people say the best job you can have is when you get to do something you love and still make money? Well, I'm glad to say that's what I'm doing now :-)
I left an 18-year old corporate career in the area of information technology, process and management consulting as well as project management, to pursue a semi-retired life. It's not that I didn't like my previous career, in fact, I loved that I did before. It was just time for a change.
Six months ago, I launched a new venture where I make wall art stickers or otherwise referred to as wall art decals or vinyl art. I jumped from serious analytical work into a more creative type of work. I guess I've squeezed too much of my left brain in the first half of my lifetime, LOL. Now, it's time to exercise my right brain :-)
So here's how the process works. First, I have to conceptualize a design or even if a design is already available, I had to convert the usual photo that any normal human being would have, into a format that works for me. So this means that I had to learn all about drawing and design, albeit using the computer instead of the traditional pencil, LOL. I knew little of this, but the interest was always there. I loved when the end result is something beautiful. It makes me feel fulfilled very much like my analytical self would feel fulfilled about finding a solution to a complex puzzle. The best thing is that now, my left brain and right brain actually melds together. Sometimes, I get too excited, and have too many ideas. That's where my left brain comes in. I take note of all those ideas and focus on each one at a time. Otherwise, I end up nowhere, LOL.
So, after design comes the production work, called cutting and weeding. Cutting is pretty much straightforward and is done by my trusty computer controlled digital cutter. The wonders of technology sure makes it much much simpler :-) Now, the weeding part is manual. This is where you take out the excess vinyl so that only the design is left. Since everything is already cut, we just need to pull them off the backing. Labor intensive yes, but ironically, it's something that relaxes my mind. Maybe it's because of the slow and smooth action we make or maybe it involves the process of uncovering something beautiful little by little.
Challenges, oh, we have our share of it too. When I started tinkering with the idea, it was more than a year ago. It took time, a lot of research, a lot of rework and iterations, a lot of frustrations, even lost of interests at one point. But persistence and faith kept us going. Knowing that the end is going to be sweet and beautiful revives our spirits, makes us strong enough to complete the journeys and overcome each puzzle, roadblock, obstacles we encounter.
When all is said and done, the result is a beautiful work of art, and to me, fruits of my labor and actually, my soul too :-) I believe creativity comes not just from the right brain, but deeper within us. That's what's so great about all of this. When you do what you love or what you're passionate about, it doesn't feel like work, and it feels like everything falls into place naturally, even when it is not perfect, because what you do melds into your everyday life, and into who you are. There is no segregation for work and play, for work and family, for work and self, etc.
Half a year into the venture, I am very happy about it. We've had great blessings so far. And as I still keep on crossing my fingers and toes, knowing that I'm doing what I love, kept me refreshed and my faith strong.
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