Hehe, my first pieces of art ever were definitely things I made for friends/family. (By request or my own accord.) That continuous support and encouragement in what I did definitely helped me grow with my work!

My mom’s told me a few times before this year that she’s honestly surprised, but proud, at the improvements I’ve made with my art. She’s admitted to me that when I first showed her my art from when I first started, she didn’t think it was really that good (and I wholeheartedly agree now, haha!). But she would still say that she enjoyed it, and those compliments subconsciously pushed me to keep going. :)

Same goes with other family members/friends, hehe! The moral support definitely went a long way with me (alongside being inspired by other artists, of course!)