I Create Inspirational Calendars For Girls.

A few years ago, I started graduate school. Before that, I had been in the workforce for 8 years and had opened a clothing store in Kansas City but circumstances lead me to close the store and head back to Lincoln, NE.

Not wanting to jump back into my career, I decided to get my MFA in art. I applied to UNL and was told I might not get accepted because my undergraduate grades were so poor. If they graded me in undergrad on holding my alcohol, making out with random college boys and smoking Marlboro Lights, I would have had a 4.0.

I was accepted, surprisingly, and those three years were the worst years of my life. Any sense of self-confidence I had was gone, and then some. I made a few new friends in graduate school but I wasn’t invited to any parties, wasn’t part of any clicks, I was for the first time in my life....a loner. And it hurt.

My insecurities spread into my graduate school artwork too. Putting myself out there made me vulnerable. To add to my anxiety, I would compare myself to the other grad students, wow, they all were so much more intellectual and creative than me.

One day, I decided I just need to go inward and figure out what my voice would be in my art. I took a trip down to our cabin and laid out 12 sheets of paper on the big wooden dining room table. I took out my pencil and started writing on all of them. I wrote phrases like: “I hope my scab falls off.” “I am cute enough.” “It’s ok to make mistakes.” Then I proceeded to draw the little insecure girl who was still living inside me. I drew her topless and her hands covering up her stomach rolls. During critiques, the professors ripped them apart. Ugk!! That cycle happened for three years and then, I graduated! I graduated with a 4.0 and on my way out said, enough of that!

BUT…. looking back, that was the best learning experience of my life. My insecure inner child was released and I started to feel more and more confident as I emerged back into the real world.

The insecure inner child I used to draw at my cabin continued to speak to me, but now she was encouraging me, not telling being insecure. I kept drawing her but now she wore clothes and I would write positive messages next to her. I started making art prints and in 2013, I created my first wall calendar and named them the Pincurl Girls.

The calendars have a positive message and an encouraging Pincurl Girl image on each month and have been creating them ever since. It’s important to me now that I am more mature and self-confident that I encourage other girls, like the old me, who hasn't quite grown into her self-confidence stride.

My calendars are for anyone who needs inspiration and cuteness in their lives!

I want any lonely girl out there to know that I know how it feels and wants to be able to give me a little piece of my heart that takes the form of my calendars.

Looking back, my experiences turned me into a fighter. In fact, all my failed tries and setbacks have fueled my fire and paved a path to where I am today.

More info: pincurlgirls.com