For seven long years - up to 1981 I worked in a grocery store, putting cans on the shelf, packing bags, and a whole lot more. It was a job I wasn’t very fond of to say the least. While I was grateful for the steady paycheck it provided for my family and I, my dream was to instead earn my living as a full time artist.

I promised Janis I would stay at the regular job until the day I could make the same paycheck at my art alone. I switched to steady night shifts so I was available during the day to my art customers. If I was sleeping and someone phoned, Janis would tell my customers I was busy, then wake me up to return the call. It took four years of hard work and little sleep to finally see the day when it was at long last time to hang up my grocery apron. It along with my tie and marking gun, still hangs behind the door in my studio. When I have a particular trying day I only need to see it there and I am reminded that a bad day here is better than ten good days in that old job which I detested so much.

All dreams worth living require a great deal of effort and sacrifice, both on our part and from those who support and encourage us. I count myself fortunate to this day that I am able to do what I love, with those I love close around me. It sure beats actually working for a living!

-grampa dan