©+Laurie Pace Graphics One Design 2016
California Dreaming Oil on Canvas Sold
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“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ― H. Jackson Brown Jr., P.S. I Love You
Was recently reading an article that was shared on FB about the five things people regretted when they were dying. This was one of them at the top of the list. How many of us, myself included, always take the safe route on choosing? I rarely have been daring in life and when I did...wow, I really did. I was constantly pushing the edge for careers and doing it successfully but my personal life... nope... very cautious on making any decisions or choices.
Back in 1969, all my friends in high school had jobs during the summer. I modeled from age 13 throughout the years at the Apparel Mart in Dallas.. but that was about it for me. That summer after week two in June, I was so bored with no one else home and my best friend traveling Europe over the summer... so I decided to do what two of my close girl friends were doing and I applied to wait tables at a restaurant inside one of the classy department stores at North Park. Being honest as I filled out my application, they ask all sorts of questions you could not ask today and I filled out something that raised a flag when they considered the weight of the trays with food. Long story short. I did not get the job. I was devastated. I could not even get a job as a waitress.
On Monday morning I was looking through the Dallas Morning News (mind you I was only 16 at the time) and saw that Neiman Marcus was needing an ad model. I called and set up an appt later that day and went in with my portfolio stuffed with things...both modeling references and fashion designs I had created. Bless the HR person's heart. They put up with a lot from those of us trying to get employed at 16. Shortening the story... Yes, I got the job. I failed to get a waitress job but I landed a full time modeling job with NM! I modeled for all the print ads for the next year, leaving school each morning early by ten to go to work. (I had most of my credits out of the way and only had to take two courses.) I loved every single moment of working at Neiman Marcus and being apart of everything. With the lush store discount, I went off to college a year later with a closet full of clothes that were the envy of many.
My dad always told me to believe in myself and I could accomplish anything I put my heart and mind to. He was right and this has taken me through my life taking chances I normally would not take. I am still very cautious about travel, and I do not drive a car. (Story for another time.) I am a homebody with a secret desire to travel. What is holding me back? It is easy to say world situations or something similar, but something else holds me back.
I do dream, but there is not enough exploring and discovery unless it has to do with my careers. I have been a model through age 35, runway, print and TV. I worked for an ad agency 10 years as Head Artist, did voice overs and television commercial work. Then with three children at home, I went back to add to my degree a teaching certificate. I then taught school for 7 years. When I left teaching I was a mess trying to figure out what to do next... and that is when I chose to do my own art and have it support me. It took a lot of work over the past twenty years and I reached every single goal I could have imagined. In many ways I want to still do this but I am yearning for a change with less responsibility because now I want to spend time enjoying family and travel. I need to get the 'What ifs" out of my life.
What are you NOT doing that you have always dreamed about and why are you not doing it?
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; Romans 12:6
Laurie
Post Note: A young woman I met last summer is off on a real adventure. She and her husband left FULL TIME JOBS after saving money for seven years...and they are off backpacking and enjoying the world with no plans to return to Texas for two years. I pray for them nightly and totally admire their spirit of adventure. I would have a mind full of WHAT IFs?
#horsepainting #lauriepaceart #equineart
Laurie Pace
A Texas Artist
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