I live in a small country town in Australia, Where there is little need for anything of the artistry. (I say that as in no need for graphic design and such.) as where I live is mostly surrounded by coal mines, bush fires etc for the norm.
Growing up I didnt start talking until I was 10. And I had (still have) severe social anxiety, so I drew pictures to communicate to others. I was mostly in therapy most of my life so drawing things on how I feel to help me read and write was something I had to come to grips with.
When I got a little older my brother and I went to a smaller town school more into the bush land. A school of about 80 children including myself. I had a real tough time there and mostly kept to myself. I had a huge growth spurt to the point where I would tower over the teachers. And since I had long hair at the time. I looked bigger and intimidating to them. They would treat me badly, Hit me and as well as find reasons to put into detention (my "favourite" excuse was picking up a pencil to sharpen it and got tackled down to the ground because I had a weapon in my hand.) I even got approached by police because they were terrified by me until it got ruled out that I was too young at the time to even be charged in the first place.
Back in them days mental health was treated different. Mostly by the principle who hated my guts. Why am I saying this? Well, I had alot of free time to teach myself to draw. I would draw little comics and staple them together to read to myself.
Fast forward a couple of years and it comes down to finding a career, I said I wanted to be a Illustrator or an Author and make books to sell since I very imaginative. I was told No. My parents would help me pursue it but since I lived in a Mining town it was either you go work there or you shovel shit off the street. Speed up a little bit and Ive been working on JETX for a number of years. Low and behold I went along the rocky road to get to here. Mostly because having to put it on hold to try and find a job (unemployment rates are at an all time low here, Places shut down and alot of people like myself are in the same boat.) I ended up trying to get into programming for games for a friend.
It didn't go well.
Mostly because I never got paid for it until way later and the only reason for that is due to some circumstances I had to live with him for a bit, I hated it. I never got to do anything I wanted to do and all it was with him was "Program my game" day in and out until I finally got a new place with my girlfriend. Im still recovering, Never had a job til this very day and been treated like garbage. It gets to the point where I am looked down upon whenever I bring up what I would like to do. A lot of doors are closed off to me and I have not very much confidence in finding a "real" job because of what I am or who I am.
So now Im trying to focus on what I want. Albeit its not paying bills but I hope to sell books and use this as a gateway to try and overcome my social anxiety.
Im hoping to get a publishing deal but I doubt that as well. And Im still getting messed around by the system and being told "No." to drawing, book writing, or even programming in general. (I like math).
And yet Im nowhere near closer to being able to buy my own house. Have children or even be happy where I am. Most of this stuff during my journey is my own blood and sweat.
I hope to have a good ending to my story one day. But right now it is VERY far away out of my reach.
