How Drawing Changed My Life – And How It Can Change Yours Too

It’s one thing to love drawing or design, but it’s another to make it your job - to really LIVE that dream. I’ve been there, and this is why I’m writing this special email to you today. I want to share the uncovered truth that no one really talks about, something that completely shifted my life and career. And with the New Year around the corner, it feels like THE perfect time to have this conversation.

When I first started drawing again, after years of self-doubt and being told I “wasn’t good enough” by one of my art school teachers - seriously, talk about the right kind of support - it wasn’t easy. I was scared to my bones. Not because of the challenges, but because... what if I couldn’t fulfill that deep, inner desire? What if I couldn’t make it work? But deep down, I always knew it was something I had to do.

Slowly, step by step, through all the fear and discomfort, I brought drawing back into my life. Even during my interior design studies I refused to use computer renders because I wanted my designs to stand out and feel real. And little by little, my professors and peers noticed. They asked me to show them how I did it.

That was my first sign - takeaway #1: When considering turning your passion into a career, ask yourself: How useful can you be for others, and what problems can you solve?

Now, if you think everything worked out perfectly for me from that point on, well... I wish. After graduation, I got a job at a design studio in Hamburg working with celebrities - but then the pandemic hit, and that job vanished. I was left with almost no savings and an expiring visa.

Takeaway #2: NEVER blame the circumstances, the economy, or any other excuse. Instead, always take responsibility, adapt, and make quick decisions. This is one of the key qualities of a successful entrepreneur.

And I have to highlight something important here: let’s stop glamorizing those “aesthetic artist studios” where artists and designers work all day long, perfectly organized, in a space that looks like a magazine spread. Have you seen those videos? Our work IS aesthetic, but let’s also normalize showing the REAL everyday life too.

After that, I decided to go all in. I started my own business - working like crazy, sometimes designing 3 concepts in one day - and slowly, it paid off. My blog grew, my community grew, and high-end commercial projects started coming in. I began helping others draw and design in a way that felt real to them.

So, here are the 5 crucial lessons creative entrepreneurship taught me:

1️⃣ Creativity only takes up 30% of your time
The rest? Marketing, business stuff, client communication, content creation... oh, and emergencies.

2️⃣ Routine & discipline are EVERYTHING
Stop glamorizing the "aesthetic artist" lifestyle. Your creative passion is now a business - treat it like one.

3️⃣ Be immune to risks & uncertainty
Things won’t always go as planned. The key? Find solutions QUICKLY and keep moving forward.

4️⃣ Responsibility & initiative = CRUCIAL
Your ideal client won’t just find you. Get uncomfortable, reach out, and put in the work.

5️⃣ Financial literacy is a MUST
This is your job now, not just your hobby. Be ready for tough financial decisions - they’re part of the deal.

Has it been worth all the challenges?
YES. But remember - hobby and business are two different things. Know the difference, and thrive.

The opportunities are always here. The dream life is already available to you. It does require being uncomfortable, taking risks (yes, including making mistakes and learning from them - trust me, I’ve been there), showing up every day, and doing the work.

One of my mentors, Ryan Serhant (yes, I’m part of his PRO mentorship program), says it like it is - brutally honest, but real. And that’s exactly what I aim to be for you - no art glamour, no sugar-coating, just the truth about how I made it work.

So, if you’ve ever thought, “What if drawing could change my life?” - I’m here to tell you, it ABSOLUTELY CAN. This isn’t just about creating pretty pictures and hanging them on the wall. It’s about stepping into a whole new world where your passion becomes your career, where you get to live out your dreams, and where you accept the imperfections of the journey - just like we accept our partners instead of expecting them to be perfect!

So... that drawing opportunity is here. This is where you'll not only learn how to draw and design with ease, joy, and inspiration - LIKE THIS - but also work through your mindset and rewire it for success and opportunities. And this all comes from my own experience - and from the success stories of my amazing students.

In just two days, my signature course will be closing. Inside the Academy, we’ll take the necessary steps together to bring you closer to your creative vision. Read about how the course will benefit you HERE.

Click here to sign up now and get instant access to all step-by-step video tutorials, including modules on marketing and social media (with lifetime access!).

Let’s start 2025 with a fresh creative journey!

With excitement and support,
Anna at @andshedrawsbig
P.S. If you have any questions or doubts about the course, just hit reply! I’m here to chat anytime :)