From Engineer to Full Time Artist: What I wish I knew starting out

Learn the Art & Joy of Surface Pattern Design - Turn your art into an income: https://bit.ly/4iN6g9V In this video, I open up about my journey transitioning from the world of software engineering to pursuing my passion as a full-time artist. I wanted to share the challenges, the inspirations, and the real moments that led me here. 💌 Sign up to my free email newsletter - https://melarmstrong.com/subscribe/ 🍿 WATCH NEXT:    • Surface Pattern Design   MY ONLINE COURSES 🎬 The Art & Joy of Surface Pattern Design: https://bit.ly/3ql1ash 🏆 Skillshare - A selection of short courses → https://skl.sh/4i2Tt2t MY FAVOURITE TOOLS & GEAR 📚 Amazon Shop - My favourite books, tools and much more - https://www.amazon.com/shop/melarmstr... 🎵 Epidemic Sound - Where I Get My Music - https://bit.ly/es-shorts ⚙️ Notion - How I Manage My Creative Life - https://bit.ly/444jQyG MY OTHER SOCIALS: 🎙 Learn with Mel - https://learn.melarmstrong.com/ 🌍 My website / blog - https://melarmstrong.com 📸 Instagram -   / melarmstrongdesign   📱 TikTok -   / mel_armstrong_art   👨‍💻 Linkedin -   / mel-armstrong   🎥 Facebook -   / melarmstrongdesign   WHO AM I? If we haven't yet before - Hey 👋 I'm Mel, an Illustrator & Surface Pattern Designer from Wellington New Zealand. Through my videos here on this channel, my Skillshare classes and my Learn with Mel community, I share tutorials, guidance and inspiration to help you create your own creative career and build a life you love. ⏰ Timestamps: 00:10 - Introduction 00:39 - Where it all started - Ballet 01:15 - Finding a new direction 02:46 - Software Engineering 06:29 - Finding my creativity 08:40 - Discovering Surface Pattern Design 10:45 - Signing with Agent 13:12 - Moving to New Zealand 16:17 - 2022 18:20 - Lessons Learned 23:32 - The Art & Joy of SPD *This is an affiliate link. Basically, I hope to get an extra new coffee here and there and it doesn't cost you a cent more to click on the link. 😜