Women Shining Magazine Women Shining Fall 2018 | Page 18

Seeing The Art
That must have been an exciting time for you?
It was; however, it was scary as well.
The job that I accepted and moved back for
ended the following January because of the
slow winter season, so I was laid off.
The company wanted to rehire me when
things picked up again. It was at this time I
made a bold move, I decided that I might be
able to start my own Graphic Design business
and bravely created a Facebook Page called
Bond design.
I also had a ‘job’ in retail to help make ends
meet until my business was established.
Soon after, the boss from my current position
at ‘Vision Gaspe Percé Now’ came across my
Facebook Page. I was hired to do Graphic Design
for Vision Gaspe Percé Now – it was a freelance
contract.
This lead to 15 hours a week doing a wellness
centre for seniors. In the transition from the
Vision contract, that turned into a regular
position, I also switched back to painting - what
I really love.
So, I dropped design at this point - only
providing Graphic Design for Vision Gaspe
Percé Now.
I am now a full time Project Coordinator for
Seniors at Vision Gaspe Percé Now and work
there from September to June.
16
The time off in the summer is when I can
focus more on creating my art.
I am realizing now at almost 40 years old, I
should have followed my passion which always
revolved around art.
My dream is to devote my
time to artwork and claim
my career as an artist
Is there an art community in the area? Do you
meet regularly?
No, there is not an ‘officially recognized
group’. In a rural area such as Gaspe you hear
and learn about local artists.
I see the girls sharing their work on Facebook.
This is how we communicate and support each
other - so more of an indirect meeting. The Art
Expo, where most of us met, is my baby. I
came up with the idea to help beginner artists.
Even though I am not a ‘professional’ artist, I
am what is considered an intermediate artist. I
felt that there had to be something more in the
area for artists - there are so many of them.
I created an art expo, this was our second year.
The art expo is a work in progress.