Childhood Dreams Part I
Written by Bethany Curee, God’s Daughter – Freckled & Free

There are many things I wanted to be growing up and I could name quite a few, but, as I got closer to things getting pretty serious…I thought for sure I was going to be a news anchor and meteorologist. I would go into character in a moment’s notice to cover the scene and practice my news anchor voice. This of course was an upgrade from my original self-discovered career of a cloud-o-logist — my made-up job where you get to stare and study the clouds all day.

My fascination and obsession with the beauty of the sky had me studying clouds and weather books since I can remember. I often dreamed of being a storm chaser like Jo from the movie Twister, however, as I researched further into this career path, I realized you had to be proficient in math, science and of course public speaking…all of which I was not a fan of. Thankfully a reality check sunk in my senior year of high school. As I looked at the docket of classes I was signed up for — I realized 80% of them were all art classes of some kind. I decided setting aside my dreams of being a storm chaser was the most appropriate decision. I would always admire God’s handy work in the sky.

As with the dawn of a new day, I felt the seeds of a new passion stirring. With my insane love for drawing and a great understanding of good composition and perspective, I entered the class that would change my life. It was my senior year of high school and thankfully this newly offered art class called Digital Photography had just become available. I had already signed up for every single art class that was possible to take, so naturally, I jumped on board. In the first day of class the teacher began to explain what exactly Digital Photography was and how that played a role in how Graphic Designers utilized it. I could feel the butterflies in my stomach. I had never even heard of such a thing as a Graphic Designer and my interest was piqued.

All the years of art had been preparing me for this very thing. The ability to combine a variety of art skills and photography on the computer to make a digital image and get paid for it sounded like a true dream. And let’s be honest who doesn’t want to live a real dream?

For me, this was extremely important. Growing up my Father always had a love/hate relationship with his job. He was truly a craftsman and skilled carpenter. For over 30+ years he had worked on the wood coasters at Kings Island knowing the ins and outs of the curves and helix like the back of his hand. He absolutely loved the craft of it, but dealt with too much in the field that eventually took the joy away. I had seen enough from him to know that more than anything I wanted a career I could be happy in. I had to have something that brought me joy every day. I did not want to dread my job but to be excited about it.

Art was something I was truly good at and I knew I would enjoy all aspects of. For me there was something so exhilarating about getting to be creative. I knew I had found a passion that would in a sense fulfil a part of me and the talents God wanted me to use. So, I set my mind to accomplish this very thing. It did, and still does make me feel closer to Jesus, the ultimate artist and craftsman.

I worked extremely hard to have a solid portfolio out of high school and earn scholarships to help this dream job become a reality. It was true sweat kind of work and it allowed me to graduate with honors. I was not like those blessed people with super non-needing to study genius brains…it actually took a lot of commitment on my end. I applied for every scholarship I could and was able to nail down three. No heavy hitters, but when going to college you need to take all you can get to help. After an intense portfolio review and interview, in 2004, I was accepted into the Art Academy of Cincinnati back in the day when it was still positioned in the lovely Mt. Adams.

I had so many worldly eye-opening moments, but I gained several opportunities to stretch myself as an artist and as a Christian in the quaint little town. I thoroughly enjoyed the cobblestone streets, the adorable architecture, the stunning views of the city and the access to the Cincinnati Art Muesum on a regular basis.

I don’t miss lugging around my portfolio up the endless hills or figuring out the parking and run-ins with parking tickets, but I truly did feel inspired in all aspects to embark on this journey and the beauty of observing God’s world along the way. It was during this time I fell in love with the adorable Mt. Adams Bar & Grill. Their salmon burger with basil mayo and sweet potato fries are still a favorite of mine to this day and if you’re feeling like a treat-yo-self day, hitting up their homemade apple pie will seal the deal.

My time there however was short lived as the school had plans to relocate to Over-The-Rhine. Having only had my license a short while, this little country girl was not ready for figuring out the inner workings of downtown life. Tom and I had just gotten engaged at this point and in order to move our marriage up and be able to afford life on our own, I had to make some changes.

In January 2005, I transferred to the Art Institute of Ohio-Cincinnati. While I truly missed the elite art level of the Art Academy, transferring was the best solution. Tom and I were able to get married sooner, both work full time jobs, and both go to college at night. Truly it was all a God thing. Before Tom and I even graduated with our associate degrees (his in Business Management & mine in Graphic Design), both of us were already working in the fields we went for professionally (When I Grow Up Comes True, say what!?).

God opened so many doors for this to happen, from volunteer opportunities, to my first freelance jobs – all of which lined me up for stepping into my career, one that I was consistently told would be extremely hard to get into and that I would have to work my way up from the bottom. Well, God had different plans and only He can do something like that. My daddy would always say God loves to get a chance to flex His muscles and I can certainly say He did.

When I Grow Up became a reality for me of my childhood and teenage dreams come true. The overwhelming joy I felt was something to truly savor and relish in. A feeling indescribable that first day on the job. I want to dive deeper and share those details of God’s workings perhaps to encourage you on whatever you may be stepping in. So please, stay tuned in to read the full story When I Grow Up Actually Happens, Childhood Dreams Part II in the next coming weeks. In that post I will take a deeper dive and share the testimony and JOY of stepping into my big girl career of being a professional Graphic Designer.

Whatever it is that you want to do for a living and help provide for your family, I say hard work, self-sacrifice, pushing yourself to excel and be the best you can be, while pursuing God and being surrendered to Him — He will open up doors you never dreamed possible. Keep aligning yourself with His will and His plan, giving Him your all and doing all as unto Him. He will align your path. Doors people said you would have to beg to get in will open when you walk in the will of God and work to do things in excellence. All the while minister as you go because God uses everything and can use you in anything. Whether you go to college or don’t go to college, work from home, travel for your job…whatever it is, wherever you are, He will use you. I think you are picking up what I’m putting down.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23

Written by Bethany Curee, God’s Daughter – Freckled & Free

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HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE PORTFOLIO

HIGH SCHOOL PORTFOLIO

COLLEGE PORTFOLIO: ART ACADEMY OF CINCINNATI

COLLEGE PORTFOLIO: ART INSTITUTE OF OHIO-CINCINNATI FINE ART

Quick pause here and note to my fans, please no judgement on some of my first graphic design pieces and/or mock ups you will view below. These were back in 2005-2007. I’ve come a long way from then thanks to Jesus and leaders along my professional career that helped groom me. So just bare with me here and enjoy the beginning of my learning journey (insert laughing emoji).

To begin, here are some of my preliminary ad mock up concepts and perspective drawing pieces done in colored pencil during my 2005-2007 college years at the Art Institute of Ohio-Cincinnati. Additional pieces to follow in the usual format after that.

COLLEGE PORTFOLIO: ART INSTITUTE OF OHIO-CINCINNATI GRAPHIC ART

I hope you enjoyed my High School and College Portfolio as a part of this blog post. Remember to stay tuned in to read the full story When I Grow Up Actually Happens, Childhood Dreams Part II in the next coming weeks. As a part of that blog post I will also share some of my professional (and let me add, much better) pieces once I became an official Graphic Designer. That story to come.

Written by Bethany Curee, God’s Daughter – Freckled & Free