I had a weird realization recently. I’ve been painting my entire life, but for the longest time, I never claimed the title of "painter." I always thought you needed to be producing giant oil canvases to belong in a gallery or a cooperative community like this.
My journey started like almost everyone else’s: sitting at the kitchen table, drawing those classic square houses with triangular roofs and a smiling sun in the corner, heavily encouraged by my mom’s praise.
I stopped focusing on traditional painting for a long time, but looking at my life now, I realize painting just evolved into different, unconventional mediums to fit my world:
Urban Sketching: My outdoor therapy. Just taking colors outside to sketch the world and breathe.
Traditional Leather Marbling: My actual profession. It’s an ancient, 100% manual painting technique using water-based dyes on veg-tan leather to create chaotic, unrepeatable patterns.
Pet Memorials: I paint detailed pet portraits on leather keychains. Most of my clients are people who have just lost their best friends, making this the most emotional and delicate painting I do. (It made me feel like I was doing important and emotional work for someone.)
Seeing the supportive feedback and the unique styles shared in this sub made me realize that being a painter isn't about the surface you choose—whether it's canvas, wood panels, or leather. It's just how you interact with the world.
I’d love to hear about your journeys. How did your art evolve from those "childhood square houses" to the mediums and styles you focus on today? Did anyone else here take a completely unconventional path with their painting?