My whole life, all I wanted, was to do art! I wanted to be able to create, then stand back look with pride and share what I created for others to enjoy. I’ve paved roads for me and maybe for others. For others in the sense of inspiration. For some showing you can follow your dreams in any path or career you choose, not specifically art.

I feel.. I have been driving on the roads I paved. Sometimes I get tunnel vision. I forget to open my eyes and breathe it all in. I burn the candle at both ends out of fear of losing this world I am building. At no point have I not continued to be extremely grateful! I took several weeks a few months back traveling, a mini break, exploring and gaining my confidence back.

It can be scary or exhilarating to go off the main roads you’re comfortable on, to hike and explore out of your comfort zone.. and that’s perfectly fine. I would also say necessary. Roads were created to make things easier and smoother. But, if you didn’t travel through the rough patches how would you know what is needed to create, invent or reinvent to grow and move forward?!

When you hit a bump in the road, take them with caution. Learn how fast you can go over each different speed bump or pothole without your belongings flying around the cabin of your car. Kidding, a little. Pave your roads, follow your paths, take some turns while staying the course.

I have been pretty proud of my little world I’ve built. I have my days and weeks where I’m paralyzed with fear, and zero confidence. Then I have to buckle my seatbelt and remember that the Italian in me knows how to pave a good road. Now I need to start the car and keep driving down the roads I’m paving!