n order to advance further in my career, I needed a master’s degree. I took a six month sabbatical to work on my dissertation. While studying, I began evaluating my life. Where was I heading? Going the academic route would take me into higher and higher posts in the education department – away from the creative work that I enjoyed doing. I suddenly envisioned myself sitting at a desk in the head office, pushing papers. I lost all motivation to study further and used the rest of my sabbatical painting. I was blessed to sell enough pieces to show me that it was possible to make a living from my art. I called my family together and put forward a proposal. I would resign my job and become a full time artist, or I would resume my studies and strive to become the biggest “big shot” I could in the education department. We each had an equal vote and the result was unanimous – I was now a professional artist!