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As a kid, my parents encouraged my interest in art by sending me to painting lessons, etc. ... but when it came to college, they absolutely refused to allow me to major in art (they weren't going to pay for me to become a 'starving artist'). I bought into that outlook, I guess. So I majored in Biology, and took a lot of arts electives. But after college I got married, got my MBA, and worked in business for 17 years, without ever lifting a paint brush except for 2 quick watercolors to put something on the walls back when we bought our first house.
In 2001, a new neighbor in town heard that I was an 'artist' (from a mutual friend, referring to those two watercolors and some drawings)... and on blind faith she commissioned me to do a reproduction of Cezanne's basket of apples. That led to a reproduction of Van Gogh's Irises for someone else. After that I refused to do anymore reproductions, but was back into painting as a hobby. It was those people around me who encouraged what I wanted to do and believed in me that got me started painting again -- and together with this forum, gave me the courage/confidence to turn professional last summer.
The funniest thing is that my parents, (who were the biggest obstacle to my thinking this was something I could do for a living when I was younger), couldn't be prouder and are my biggest cheerleaders now.
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