[Chris Saper]

Lon, I can absolutely see why your courtroom drawings have been in high demand!

When my first child turned one (1990) I looked back on thirteen very rewarding and stimulating years as an executive in the health care industry, and also the constant stress, (many times) unreasonable demands, and (sometimes) astonishing behavior, and decided that I was ready to change careers. So I built a business plan to begin developing a portrait practice, as I reduced the number of hours I was working at the hospital, with the idea that eventually there would be an activity and financial crossover. It started pretty simply: what did I need to earn to replace my income and continue to participate in family financial support; what volume did I have to be able to produce; what could I reasonably expect to produce, and what could the market support in the way of pricing. I painted part time for the next five years, and then went to full time, when I turned forty-three.

My earnings still do not equal that prior career's...but I am so much happier, I have lost my cynicism (ha, you say), and have loved the slow and amazing process of reorienting one's world view to that of a painter. This past sounds pretty cut-and-dried, I guess, but I was never able to get into a position to risk otherwise. There is just no point hanging on to coulda, woulda, shoulda. I have clarity about my priorities, and painting is number two. I am grateful for the chance to work, try my best to become a better painter, and look forward to every lucky day at the easel.

Chris