Start Now

“Start Now.”
That’s what someone told me.

I had taken my 7-year-old son to CHOP in Princeton, NJ for a routine appointment. After the assessment, the physician made friendly conversation with my son and asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. Without missing a beat, he said, “an artist.”

“What kind of artist?” he asked. “A sculptor…., a painter….., a—”
“A painter,” my son interrupted.
“Do you know any painters?”
“Yes.”
“Who’s your favorite painter?” (likely expecting him to say “Van Gogh” or someone famous)
My son immediately pointed at me.

Honestly, I was a bit embarrassed, but flattered and touched that my son thought I was a painter when I would have said I work in R&D. I definitely felt put on the spot, but what followed was a conversation I didn’t expect—about art, impact through creativity vs. through the sciences, and the possibility of something beyond my current career. I also realized that another professional had a similar idea, so maybe I wasn’t ridiculous after all. Anyway, the physician, who happened to hold a BFA and do absolutely amazing work, encouraged me to take it seriously. When I told him I might someday pursue art more intentionally, he said two words that stuck with me: Start now.

He shared resources, ideas, and encouragement, and we exchanged contact info. Although I couldn’t dive headfirst into every suggestion, I did take a step - a big one. I began drawing and painting more—I hoped to hit a weekly goal, but fell short due to my insane workload at work and home. Sometimes I did it once a week, sometimes less—but now it was with greater intention.

This simple fig was the first watercolor I painted after that conversation. It was the last of the figs I had at home, but the beginning of something. I started to think maybe I should do this because maybe I am an artist.