Meet Etsy Artist: SheilaTS

I discovered the following artist in her very first week on Etsy...

Sheila Tajima was born in the US, but spent her childhood in Japan. At 18 she moved back to California to attend college and put down roots. She worked through the ranks as a police officer and forensic artist - and has recently retired as a Sergeant after 26 years of public service. Now she devotes her time to art. "After seeing all that darkness, I always look for the light in people and situations," she explains. Her inspiration comes from life and "the people who choose to live it to the fullest." Believe it or not, she only leaned how to paint with oils two years ago, but has fallen in love. "I still dabble in watercolor, pastel, pen and ink, graphite and an occasional Bic pen on paper napkin," she jokes. Art has been her passion since she was four years old and watched her father draw Mickey Mouse. "I thought what he did was magical." Although her art is truly a passion, she has been forced to approach it like a job recently after a divorce left her paying her ex husband from her pension. "Do what you love and it will show in your work," she recommends. "Don't be discouraged by bids that are rejected. For every 10 people who turn you down there is going to be someone who absolutely thinks you are the best thing since sliced bread." Please check out her shop: http://sheilats.etsy.com/

-Wendy Baylis

Dharma Designs

http://dharmadesigns.etsy.com/