Never underestimate the power you have to take your life in a new direction. 

-Germany Kent

It’s 9:00 AM. Like most mornings, it’s serene and quiet as I sip my morning coffee, answer a few work emails, and set my goals and intentions for the day. I have a new painting to work on and my daughter, Avelie, to take care of, but aside from that, my to-do list is pretty short for today. Now, don’t get me wrong, running a business all by yourself can be stressful, especially with the immense amount of time and effort that goes into marketing my brand, managing sales, embellishing prints, etc. But luckily, I’ve learned how to balance art, business, and motherhood as a single mom to stay organized and on top of these critical tasks.

Even better, I don’t have to wake up early and commute to a job that I hate. I don’t have to deal with coworkers who love drama as much as reality TV stars. And I don’t have to go to bed at night hoping for things to get better, for my life to turn around. Because I’ve already put in the work to make those dreams a reality. In fact, every day, I look out my window that overlooks the bustling cityscape of Rotterdam and feel nothing but gratitude and joy for the life I’ve paved for myself and my children. 

But that doesn’t mean it’s been easy. Up until this point, my journey was akin to navigating a dark forest filled with unending doubts and rivers of tears, but always tinted with a ray of hope at the end of the tunnel. And I’m proud to say that that ray of hope has blossomed into a big, beautiful star that continues to guide me to this very day, even through the darkest of storms. 

So today, I wanted to reintroduce myself and share my story, my journey, of how I got to where I am, and what my day-to-day life looks like as a successful artist.

My First Dream Job Became a Nightmare

Do you remember when you were a little kid and grown-ups used to ask you, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Well, my answer was always “stewardess,” aka, flight attendant. I just loved the fantasy of flying all over the world and exploring new places, which was probably developed because of my less-than-stellar home life growing up. (My mom had a few mental ailments that created instability in the house, as she would attempt suicide or act like a child when she didn’t get what she wanted.)

So, when I was 20, I applied for my first flight attendant position and landed an interview. But like an actress auditioning for a movie role, I was quickly judged for my appearance and was told I looked too young to become a stewardess. In two years I tried again, and after five disappointing interviews, I finally landed my dream job with Martinair – a Dutch airline. While I learned a great deal of social skills and traveled to many beautiful countries, I soon realized this was not the job for me. The life of a flight attendant is unstable and with very odd hours – often with little to no sleep during certain periods. I hated being alone with my thoughts all the time and felt strangely homesick, which was the ultimate catalyst for me quitting to pursue something else – anything else.

Then, I Started My First Business

Dreaming of being a flight attendant wasn’t the only thing I was passionate about as a child. I was also invested in all things beauty and art, which I tapped into when starting my first business. I took a few courses, created a salon in my home, and titled it Beautypartner – a jack-of-all-trades term for hair, makeup, nails, and other beauty services I wanted to offer. During this time, I also worked as a freelance beauty consultant for Chanel and noticed a need for cosmetic consultants. I quickly realized that The Netherlands didn’t have a staffing agency for beauty professionals, which sparked my idea of adding a staffing agency department to my business: Beautypartner.

I loved every minute of scaling my business but I was also very distressed by the never-ending stream of sales contracts, emails, managing various teams, etc. It never stopped for 10 years straight. I was burnt out and I knew in my heart it was time to sell my business and never look back.

Fog-Covered Forks in the Road

For many people, the idea of starting over is enough to send shivers down the spine, to induce enough anxiety to stay complacent in the dreaded comfort zone. But that’s where growth gets stunted. If you want to make progress in your life, to live out your dream, you have to face the necessary trials and tribulations to propel you forward. And I did just that after I sold Beautypartner.

I didn’t know where to turn next. I knew it was in the realm of art, but art has so many facets – and uncertainty – to its name, especially as a career choice. To make matters worse, a few of my friends, including an artist one of them knew, told me this was the wrong path to embark on. I ignored them, following my gut instincts like I always have. 

I decided to pursue portrait painting, as I was working on an oil painting of an actress during the summer months, and I just figured, why not? It sounded like a good place to start. So in the years that followed, I attended art school, drew live models, and found my niche: highlighting the elegance, timeless glamour, and sophistication of women through painting.

Dark Nights, Brighter Days

I look back on my past with fondness now. I mean, sure, when you’re climbing through the hellscape of starting a new business or switching career paths, it feels like the pain is so deep and so permanent, like you’re damned for all eternity. But now I see it as a gift, as these experiences have taught me resilience, perseverance, and to never give up under any circumstances. I realized through it all that I’m so much stronger than I used to give myself credit for and that applies to you as well, dear reader.

I Owe Everything to My Children

Spoiler alert: I wasn’t alone on my journey, for I had two beautiful children to raise on my own as a single mom. I have a daughter, Avelie, and a son, Max, who is disabled. At an early age, he was diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation known as GNAO1, which led to developmental delays, epileptic seizures, movement disorders, and apraxia (meaning he’s nonverbal). It’s been quite the challenge to raise him, as regular appointments with doctors and therapists have felt like a full-time job by itself. This, coupled with raising Avelie and going through the motions of my career ups and downs have led to some of my lowest points, my rock bottom moments. But I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Max is truly a special soul and is adored by everyone around him. His smile can light up any dark sky, his cuddles can soothe the lowest of moods, and his contagious laughter has been such a joy to experience. And I wouldn’t be where I am if it wasn’t for him and Avelie.

From the Windows of Rotterdam

As I previously mentioned, every day I look out the window from my apartment and take in the majestic views of Rotterdam, a place that I’m so grateful to be a part of. The city constantly inspires me to think differently, to paint differently, especially during the warmer months when I can ride my bike through the bustling streets and quaint neighborhoods. 

While I did not grow up in a safe and secure household, I’m proud to say that my current home is very much the opposite. It’s my studio, safe haven, and gallery. It’s the place where I can watch my children play with their friends. And it’s the place where I can invite friends over, relax, and enjoy the fruits of labor.

The Day in the Life of a Successful Artist

Every day is different. Some days, like today, are easy-going and relaxing. Other days are filled with medical appointments for Max, partaking in endless meetings and phone calls, and managing the marketing side of my business. But I love the fluctuations of my career – it keeps me guessing and makes life fun and free-flowing.

If there are two things that I’m always doing every day, it’s painting and taking care of my kids, as these are the most important aspects of my life. What I’m painting is, of course, constantly changing as I’m the type of artist who finishes paintings quickly to move on to the next. I was never the type to dwell and linger on a painting for too long, as I tend to get bored easily.

Stay Tuned For More…

In the coming months, I’ll be creating many more YouTube videos and courses, as well as staying more active on my social media channels. I love connecting with readers and art enthusiasts and I’m so excited to share even more about my life and create beautiful content for the world to see. I hope to see you there!

Love and take care,

Wendy