Ding! A quiet chime rang out from my phone on the small table next to me. I put my paintbrush between my teeth and grabbed it, checking the message. The smile that spread across my face almost made me drop the paintbrush. Someone had bought one of my Grand Canyon pieces. I set the paintbrush down on my palette and leaped up, almost knocking my head on the roof of the van.

I practically skipped to the passenger seat, where I kept my paintings stacked in front of the chair, and pulled the chosen one out. The cliffs were captured with jagged red and gold streaks, the river a deep blue. It was a masterpiece - if I did say so myself. Plus, the money would help me keep paying for the van.

As a child, I’d dreamed of traveling, visiting every interesting and beautiful place I could think of. Capturing on canvas the dazzling grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, or the bustling streets of New York City. And now, I was doing it.