karen alleluia

My design professor: I don't normally say this to students, but YOU-- you can do it. Whatever you want to do in life, you can do it.

My painting professor: I’m really proud of you for how quickly you’re getting ahold of these colors. Looks really good. This is going to the gallery.

My CEO at my creative job: You are a natural and a fast learner. It’s crazy how much you’ve grown already and it’s only been, like, a couple of months.

My mentor: Becoming a better designer will only make your artwork better. But know that you already have the illustrative ability that can compete at the highest level. Anyway, I'm good at spotting golden gems. You are a gem.

People throughout my life have called me talented and a natural, and I always thought it odd because I value my work ethic over everything else. I work so hard to pursue any skill or endeavor I choose that this idea of being given a talent versus earning it is blurred. I mean, did my starting points really look better than others’? It’s hard for me to remember without bias. Perhaps my eyes really are just more observational than others’ or maybe my work ethic is my talent.