My First Conference

“For myself, personally, I am never really aware of timing or anything because I am passionate about what I do, so I have found that if you really love what you do, then time flies."

~ Colm Wilkinson

By my look in the photo, you can tell how excited I am to share with you my experience with my first conference. It was thrilling as I had never experienced such professional independence before. My mother said she used to take me with her to all her conferences, and this time, the table turned and she became my company. (Of course, she has always been my emotional support!)

A Freshman from college in a conference filled with grown-ups. Oh wait. I’m a grown up now, too! This experience was surreal to me.

It was so exciting to observe people at different stages in their career. Most conference participants were a lot further down the road than me. Some have been teaching for over twenty years, yet others are looking for their first job. Some retirees still came to renew their joy and meet their old friends. I even dazed into thinking as if I were already teaching. (Haha, not yet!)

What I loved most was we were all united with the passion for art and the will to carry this passion to the next generation and beyond.

The most meaningful takeaway I had was being reminded why I chose art. Why we all chose art. Why art?

Because we love it. We enjoy it. We see the value. Not everyone understands this but that didn’t stop us nor should it ever stop us. We love to show our creativity and express ourselves in art. We mustn’t forget that.

Being reminded of this simple fact shed a new light on how to see my overwhelming adjustment to college. The endless assignments shouldn’t be chores, after all, don’t I love to create? Mustn't I brush up my skills to be able to create?

On another note, my mom had some time to enjoy herself. She toured the beauties of St. Petersburg while I “worked.” She would tell me about her sightseeing highlights, while I shared what I learned during the conference.

We also got to visit the museums together. We toured glass displays with trippy optical illusions, took a selfie with Dali (yes, we did!), and connected with a piece of modern art - picking up candies on the floor! We tasted local “delicacies.” I fell in love with…vegetables. (Shout out to “The Naked Farmer,” the cornbread was beyond delicious.)

In my wildest dreams, I would not have dreamed of being in a professional conference at my age. I really would love to thank the professor who introduced me to this. He was also the first to ever tell me that art could be my calling.

It’s crazy to me how in life there are such “divine encounters” which I like to refer to as “divine opportunities.” Meeting him was definitely a divine one.

I still can’t fathom how God has orchestrated everything. How much He cares for those who love Him. How He painstakingly considered everything for me. One way or another, He’s always leading my way: one step after another. Even when I don’t see it or when I lose hope.

I will definitely love to come again next year! I recommend it to anyone in love with art.

Perhaps, I’ll see some of you next time! ^^

Till next time,

Isabelle

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” ~ Psalm 119:105