Thank you for joining "Don't Give Up"! Here's a little bit about me 🎨

Hello and welcome!

I'm June, a UX designer with a deep-rooted passion for art.

In college, I studied fine arts and even had my works showcased at prestigious exhibitions like the LA Art Show, Long Beach Art Fair, and international shows in France, Italy, and South Korea.

After graduation, reality hit hard. Despite dreaming of being a full-time artist, financial constraints led me down a different path. I hustled through odd jobs, from real estate to being a mobile notary during the pandemic. Exhausted and drifting away from my artistic aspirations, I decided to pivot.

Enter UX design—a transformative discovery that provided stability, purpose, and a creative outlet. It empowered me to connect with users on a deeper level and create meaningful solutions. No longer worried about my next paycheck, this shift gave me the mental space to revisit my true passion: studio art.

After a hiatus of nearly two years, I rekindled my artist's soul. Reconnecting with the local art community and receiving unwavering support from loved ones fueled my drive to paint again.

Today, I'm excited to kick off the "Don't Give Up: Thriving Creatively with a Full-Time Gig" series. Being an artist isn't solely about your schedule or income; it's your unwavering dedication and love for the craft. This journey isn't just mine—it's a shared experience.

As I connected with fellow tech professionals, like-minded UX designers, PMs, and developers, I realized that many of them harbored creative passions subdued by life's demands. This realization inspired the birth of this newsletter—to inspire, support, and empower those who, like us, are navigating the balance between full-time work and creative pursuits.

So, welcome to "Don't Give Up." Here, we'll navigate our artistic journey one step at a time, empowering each other to embrace creativity within the 9-to-5 grind. Thank you for joining this vibrant community of artists of all kinds. Together, let's paint a masterpiece of resilience and creativity! 🎨✨

Cheers,

June