I want to tell you about Sharon Duncan.

A year ago, Sharon was working full-time at a university in Kentucky. She loved art — had always loved art — but she kept putting everyone else first, and her creativity stayed on the back burner. She’d take a class here and there, but she wouldn’t call herself an artist. She didn’t feel like her time was worthy of it.

Then in 2024 Sharon came to my Colorado retreat and fell in love with the mixed media process — rediscovering the creative joy she’d been missing. And then she did something that takes unbelievable courage — she quit her full-time job to become a full-time artist.

Today, Sharon is a full-time artist. She’s recently sold over $3,000 worth of paintings, she’s creating large works priced over $1,000, and she’s exhibiting at her local museum and arts center.

Watch my full conversation with Sharon and learn her story here:

When Sharon joined my Art Mentoring program, everything came together. The technical skills, the business knowledge, the confidence, and the mindset shift to stop devaluing her art and start owning her identity as an artist.

Now she’s exhibiting at the Art Center of the Bluegrass, showing at her local museum gallery, launched an Etsy shop, started an Instagram page, and is loving her life more than ever.

But here’s what really got me in our conversation — it wasn’t the sales numbers or the shows. It was when Sharon said:

“Life is short and part of my midlife situation is that I hope I have 30 years left… How do I want to spend the next 20 or 30 years? … Looking forward, why wait? There’s only so much time, and we’re not guaranteed time, so I think it’s important to embrace what gives us joy. This(my art) give me joy and peace in my life and I didn’t want to prolong this any more.”

Her story is proof that it’s not too late. That your art matters. That you are allowed to take up space with your creativity.

Watch my full interview with Sharon above.

With love and creativity,

Kellie

PS. ‘m taking a new group of mentoring students this month. I have 4 spots left. Book a call with me to see if this is right for you, just like Sharon did: kelliedayart.com/booking. These calls are for women who are ready to take their art to the next level now and invest in themselves. If that’s you, I’d love to talk with you!

PSS. Scroll down and leave a comment if Sharon’s story inspired your own art!