Many hats

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Being an artist is hardly straight and narrow. When I got out of photography school I wasn't able to get a job in my field in Boston and I wasn't ready to move to a bigger city at the time. So I realized I had to make a sacrifice - I needed to work outside my field of expertise (way out) and put my creative side on hold. I told myself it was temporary and as soon as I made a little money I would try again and get a creative job. It is now ten years later and I have quite the list of past occupations.

1. Veterinary Receptionist/Veterinary Technician

2. Bio-Pharma (I don't want to talk about. It's hard enough to admit to)

3. Police Dispatcher

4. Receptionist at a doctor's office

5. Receptionist at a cell phone tower company

6. Senior Administrative Assistant at a mutual fund company (current job)

I don't regret working at as a veterinary technician because it has made me a better and well educated pet owner. Being a police dispatcher taught me so much about myself and the world around me. And in both jobs I was helping people-- it was for the greater good. But I have wasted too much time working in offices shuffling papers and having my spirit crushed. I vow to finally free myself and find that creative job. I don't know exactly what I want to do but I want to go to happy place every day and create art. I am hoping that place does exist. Here marks the start of my journey.

A Photographer Without a Camera

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I love photography. It's what I majored in while I was in art school and I loved it so much I went on to a photography school to study for two more years. When I went to school digital photography was just on the cusp which leads to a bit of a conundrum-- I am a photographer without a camera. Well, sort of. I still don't have a decent digital camera, just a crappy little digital point and shoot and my beloved film camera. I am saving up for this camera and lenses but I a truly a starving artist these days so it will likely take me forever to afford it. Why are cameras so darn expensive? For years I thought I couldn't take photos because I didn't have a fancy digital camera like everyone else but it is truly the photographer that makes the photo and not the camera that makes the photographer. Here is to making do in the meantime!

In a nutshell

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So I thought I would formally introduce myself as I am stickler about manners and etiquette. My name is Heather and I currently reside in Boston, Massachusetts though I hope to take the leap in the near future to the left coast-- California to be exact. The only thing holding me back is money- too little of it. In the meantime I am creating art and dreaming of the future.

I was born to creative parents and raised in an antique store. I am a lover of all things vintage especially clothes. I even work part-time at a thrift store to support my habit. I'm a self-proclaimed geek, with a deep love for photography and design. Sewing and knitting are my favorite ways to keep my hands busy these days and much of my free time is spent eating peanut butter and taking baths.

I am lucky enough to live with Kai, the most beautiful German Short-Haired Pointer in the world. She is more than my dog but a best friend, child of sorts, and keeper of secrets. She says hi.

So there you go, my life neatly tucked in a nutshell.