Meet Shari...She Epitomizes Courage
Since I launched my business a little over a year ago, the one constant that fuels me and keeps me going is the incredible students I meet through my monthly membership, The Pattern Design Club, and through my 7-week online training & coaching program, The Pattern Design Academy.
One student in particular, Shari Goodall, gave me permission to share her story. Like many personal stories, it’s both heart-breaking and uplifting. She shows us the power of creativity, commitment and community.
Here’s her story.
Until recently, I worked as a manager at Habitat for Humanity. I loved my job but my health started to decline. In my twenties, I’d been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis. Now, I was experiencing constant pain, had to use a wheelchair, and doctors couldn’t figure out what was going on. My Habitat for Humanity community was incredibly supportive and even rented an electric scooter so that I could keep working. But eventually I had to leave my job and I was devastated.
Five years ago, after many doctor visits and even more tests, I was diagnosed with Chronic Pain Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. During this time, I’d lost interest in everything. But getting an answer, any answer, provided a path forward. I started to adjust to my new life and wanted to dive back into my creativity. I have always loved art and during my exploration I found Anne’s free Surface Design Masterclass and signed up. I fell in love and WAS HOOKED! Before then, I’d never even heard of surface pattern design.
With my health issues, I never know how I’m going to feel so I can’t return to a regular nine to five job. However, I can create, make repeating patterns and get my artwork out into the world. Surface design gives me both location freedom and the ability to create for the number of hours that my body will allow. It’s the perfect combination of making art by hand and working on the computer.
The opportunities for me in surface design have changed my outlook on life and given me a new way to express my creativity and use my brain. It feels great to be learning again and to be creating beautiful things. It has opened up a whole new world to me. It’s wonderful to have my creative passion back!
Taking Anne’s free Masterclass led me to join her monthly membership, The Pattern Design Club. It’s amazing what a difference being part of a supportive, engaged and committed community makes. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed and discouraged when you are learning alone. The guidance and support Anne provides inside the membership is invaluable. And the safe, kind and welcoming community is a benefit that I wasn’t expecting and that I now cherish.
Joining The Pattern Design Club has been one of the best things that I have ever done. It’s given me a new lease on life. It’s funny because even though Anne is in California and I live outside of Nashville, Tennessee, it feels like she is right next door. Her approachable teaching style and incredible availability are amazing. It’s a great feeling to know that if I need anything, all I have to do is reach out. Anne is so very generous with her time and knowledge. I can’t thank her enough. Come join me inside The Pattern Design Club. I’d love to meet you.
Shari designing using her iPad Pro and Apple Pencil.
Wow. Thank you, Shari, for sharing your incredible story. You epitomize courage and commitment and make my creative community a very special and unique place. I’m blessed to know you and grateful for your support. It’s my great privilege to help you pursue your dreams in surface design.
Enrollment for my monthly membership, The Pattern Design Club, opens on March 18. It’s not open all the time because it’s very important to me that I greet and bring new students into the membership with proper care. Settling into the membership, getting the hang of how everything works isn’t complicated. But it’s nice to make sure new students feel welcome and get the lay of the land together.
Creating this program is one of my proudest accomplishments. I hope you’ll join Shari and other amazing surface designers and start making your surface design dreams come true.
Remember:
It’s Never Too Late to Create
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MEET ANNE
Hi…I’m Anne!
My creative inspiration comes from a lifetime of observation living in, and traveling to, beautiful environments in the United States and abroad.
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