What happens when a side passion becomes the thing that finally gives your life room to breathe?

Edmonton artist Amy Dixon shares how she walked away from a corporate career, rebuilt her days around painting, and turned creativity into a full-time business - even when people thought she was taking a huge risk.

Amy opens up about what pushed her back to art in the first place, the planning that made her leap possible, and the practical realities no one talks about: shipping paintings across borders, building an e-commerce studio from scratch, and learning how to run the business side of being an artist without losing the joy of making work.

We discuss:

• How Amy recognized that art had become essential to her mental health and sense of self

• What it actually takes to be a self-represented artist selling directly to collectors
• The hidden logistics behind painting while traveling
• How she balances bold creativity with spreadsheets, deadlines, and strategy
• Why listening to your gut can be the hardest - and smartest - move you make

Amy also shares the mindset shift that helped her survive uncertainty: focusing on what she can control, accepting the messy middle, and tuning out other people’s opinions long enough to hear her own.

If you’ve ever felt pulled toward a career pivot, a creative leap, or a life that fits your values better, this conversation will make you feel a little braver.

Photo credit: @luminariecreative