The first steps

I received a lot of encouragement here, my masters urged me to apply to the art school because my portraits are good, that’s where I belong. I decided to give it a try. From that point on, four months of hard work followed. I drew for hours every day after work.

I made it to the second round of the entrance exam at the University of Fine Arts. It was a big deal, it made me happy, but it also confused and scared me. What if I get in? The second degree is tuition-based, how will I work alongside the full-time schedule? How will I make a living? I have just got married, I want to start a family soon… I had to admit, everything can’t happen at once.

But I didn’t want to give up on what I started!

Graphic UFO

I was looking for adult education. I found the Budai Art School, where I was immediately accepted for the applied graphics course. I was able to join the ongoing class in September that started in February. I felt like I had found my home, although it was challenging to keep up with the others. But I fought and always stood my ground.

Family is in the focus

Finally, I was able to embrace the long-awaited and desired journey of starting a family. My son arrived in July, at he end of first school year. Although I took a year off from school, I continued to paint. During sleep time, stolen moments, I painted small still lifes. Anything that was within reach. This is when the Maternity-leave still lifes were born.

Rebirth as graphic designer

With childbirth, I was reborn too. I grew stronger, perhaps that’s when I became an adult. I could pay better attention inwardly or freely associate, making creation easier.

I always raced against time and continuously swung between motherhood and school. But it was worth it! I ended up with a profession I truly love. The only question left was whether this could provide a livelihood too. After school, I went back to work at the multinational company. As a mother of young children, I was at a considerable disadvantage in the job market, yet I couldn’t stay in my old profession.

I made a difficult decision: I left my job, the secure income, and the good salary, choosing graphic design.

I have became a freelancer

With the birth of my daughter, I started my graphic design business, Vera Visual Art. Luckily, she loved to sleep a lot, so I was able to work again when she was just three months old. I would sit in front of the computer in my comfy pyjamas during her nap time, organizing tasks and adjusting deadlines according to the availability of the grandmothers. At that point, I couldn’t generate enough work to sustain a living, but I pushed through. The first opportunity came from Anyahajó Mother Center, a community that trusted me as a member. I even incorporated painting and manual techniques into their poster designs. I proudly added these projects to my portfolio!

Painting in the living-room

Meanwhile, I continued painting at home, in the living room. Once, my son covered himself from head to toe in black oil paint. After that, I switched to more child-friendly acrylic and watercolors. I put together a portfolio, a resume, a motivational letter, created a Facebook page, and a website. I had many exhibitions, participted on a national art show. I completed an assertive communication training. More and more commissions came in, and all the knowledge I had acquired started to come together. Thanks to my background in economics, I understood marketing better, and my intuitive approach to clients helped me understand them better and get a sense of what would be best for them.