Small-town portrait artist aims high!

Hey folks! My name is Emily Garrett, I'm a 19-year-old artist. I grew up in the tiny town of Arroyo Grande, CA, and I specialize in graphite portraiture. I've been actively working to better myself in that area for just about 7 years now. I've never taken a true art class, but I am incredibly interested in attending, and possibly even teaching one in the future!

Art has always been my passion, my therapy, my life--but I've only just recently considered starting a business out of it, thanks to the undying support of my friends and family. I simply adore capturing the emotion that my subject evokes. I love creating incredible works of art, in which hours upon hours of my time and effort are dedicated. I sometimes struggle a lot with the thought of having to actually sell my work, as there is nothing more satisfying and rewarding to me than seeing the excitement and happiness spread across someone's face as I hand them some of my artwork, but I know I've got what it takes to become successful. (Maybe one day I'll even be on Ellen's show..! Hehe)

The point of this GoFundMe account is to ask for your support toward getting me through four years of college to give my career some backbone. I'm currently trying to save money through working a full-time job and taking portrait commissions, but it just isn't cutting it. I want, strive, so much to better myself and experience new things, but living on my own on the central coast of California makes it so difficult to comfortably take myself to the next level. My family does their best to support me emotionally, but there is only so much they can do in terms of finances...which is where you all come in! :) 

I'm looking to move to Seattle, WA in the next few months with my best friend, and we're going to live there while I attend college and experience the wonders that a beautiful city has to offer this small-town kid! I set the goal amount rather high, I took housing and tuition and food costs into consideration too. I won't be distraught if I never meet the ultimate goal, because every little bit counts and helps more than you could possibly imagine. 

I thank you all with every ounce in my body, I truly cannot express what your love and support means to me. You all believed in me when I hadn't a drop of self-worth, and now I'm ready to take on the world and show everyone my true potential. Thank you.