I remember the first time I heard about surface pattern design when a friend posted that she was taking Immersion 2020. The idea of my art or lettering on a product made me so excited. 

I began to see the possibilities for patterns everywhere and on everything. 

I spent the next year saving with every intention of joining Immersion. I was a busy mom of 4 kids, homeschooling them (before everyone did because of Covid), sneaking time away drawing on my iPad. Right before Immersion sign-ups, my husband’s job changed, the position he’d been in for 10+ years was gone. The stability of his previous schedule disappeared with it. Then, my 10-year-old son ended up in the hospital for 4 days diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, I was sure my dreams of Immersion were gone. I didn’t have the time, I was learning how to care for him and our entire world was turned upside down. I didn’t draw for over a month. I had every excuse not to register.  With the support of my husband to chase the dream I had before, I registered for Immersion. 

Immersion saved me. Truly.

I know it sounds crazy and dramatic, but it’s not. It was what my soul needed to breathe a little from under all of the stress. I learned that chasing dreams is what life is for, that there’s room for me and that the situation I’m in is uniquely mine and it causes me to create unique art that the world needs to see. 

My husband’s unstable work schedule turned out to be perfect so he could teach school a couple of mornings a week and I could take Immersion.  

Since Immersion I’ve completed 2 collections, I’m working on building my portfolio and a third collection so I can pitch to stationery companies this summer.  I’m also planning to pitch to T1D supply companies who use artwork on their items, I’ve seen a need for more masculine designs on their products.  

To someone on the fence about joining Immersion, I would say do it! The community was incredible, so supportive and I often found myself needing to hear exactly what Bonnie said in that week’s videos.