Imagine the journey of an English major turned PhD holder, who shifted gears to become a devoted mother and artist. Today, we're lucky to have Heather Kiser share her story with us. Heather doesn’t mince her words when she talks about the strain and challenges academia brought into her life, revealing the emotional toll of her decade-long tenure. Her candid conversation about stepping back from her dissertation to embrace motherhood and nurture her artistic side is a lesson in resilience and finding joy in adversity.Heather's tale is a dance of duality, where she beautifully balances the roles of motherhood and artist. She shares how her creative process unfolds in the crevices of her day, whether it’s a 40-minute painting session squeezed into daylight hours or evening’s soothing embroidery sessions. Her art isn't just an outlet; it’s woven into the fabric of her daily life, helping her achieve a harmony many of us strive for. As we close our chat, Heather shares her future aspirations. She’s currently undertaking an October challenge to create a collection of 31 watercolor, ink, and wash paintings. Her parting words underline the importance of taking life and dreams one day at a time. Tune in to this heartwarming episode as Heather's artistic journey may motivate you to chase your dreams, reminding you that life’s hurdles aren't roadblocks, but stepping stones.Learn more about Heather here. Something New Every WeekSomething New Every Week (or SNEW’s for short) feature photography's best of the best....Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the show