I’ve always worked a 9 to 5 job since I graduated from high school. I’ve been working since and am looking forward to retiring next year.
I never went to college but took college classes for Accounting for a few years. Worked three major jobs in my lifetime, two 10 years each and the 3rd going on 27 years.
Often over the last two years I’ve been asked when are you going to retire? I guess that is what people say as they see you aging. Getting cancer at 61 helped me age even quicker. Chemo took my skin off the bone and now I have neuropathy in my hands and feet. Surviving cancer changed my attitude about life; especially my own life. I never gave people an answer, but kiddingly I would say when I’m 70. That would shut them up.
But a few months ago while out to lunch with co worker and my boss. I told them when I was going to retire. They both are a few years younger than me and they don’t know what the heck they are going to do when they retire.
In July of 2025 I planned what I would do when I retire. I enrolled in the Milan Art Institute’s Mastery program. The program is designed for students to graduate in a year. I didn’t believe that I could possibly achieve this outcome once I got started because the classes were difficult for me. Despite working 7:30 to 4:30pm Monday through Thursday coming home , eating dinner, going to the gym, painting for an hour, showering and going to bed every night. It took me a year and I succeeded, I graduated. I’m going to be a full time professional artist when I retire, until then I am a professional artist.
I’m busy wiring and varnishing all the painting I made during the year at this time. I hope to start applying to art exhibits real soon.
“Ready for Adventure” 16×20 oil on canvas.
“Little Listener” 16×20 oil painting on canvas.
My website has all my artwork available as originals and prints. I dream about having a studio where I can display my artwork on the walls. Also where I do all my live videos for youtube, instagram and facebook.
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