I decided that it is only apt that I should dedicate this, my first blog, to my biggest fan...

My Sister is older than me by two years and throughout my life she has used the two years of experience she has over me to protect me against all possible harm that may come my way. In pre-school she would lovingly guide me to my class, take off my coat, hang up my bag for me and hand me off to my teacher, I'm sure with a weary look of warning in her eye, should anything happen to me in her absense.

Kate has always been a true nurturer and although her talent was not always appreciated by me throughout our childhood I did always feel that little bit more safe, knowing she would always be there for me. Her loyalty did get her into a bit of trouble, she has been known to take on boys twice her size in defence of her little sister!

I was always the quiet, dreamy one, slightly oblivious of the outside world. My sister, on the otherhand was loud, opinionated and the centre for all activity within our young group of friends. Kate was unchallenged in her authority as nobody ever had quite as many good ideas for games or adventures as she did. Her intelligence was unmatched and precociously she knew this.

My sister is now a Chartered Accountant although she has given up auditting to direct her skills within the training area of her field, a move which I feel is a far better fit. Although I can picture my sister very easily as a baby-faced five year old, she is now a married woman of 28. Her appearance may have changed but her personality in essence is still exactly the same. She is still slightly overprotective and everwatchfull over her little sisters life.

I have always been a little flighty, art and all things creative were always my passion however since leaving school I have changed my mind several times over what I should do with my creativity. I studied fashion design and worked in the industry for a couple of years, however it was never a good fit. I then decided to try my hand as a makeup artist which I did for a while and this too never really fulfilled me. As a last resort and to bide my time until I knew what next to try, I started doing illustrations.

I had all these ideas that I needed to get on paper that had been suppressed by my long working hours as a professional. Suddenly life became colourful again, I was excited to wake up and start my next drawing and an idea that had been pushed down by practicality began to surface. I had saved a little money and with the help of my longsuffering fiance and parents I decided to take the year off to persue my dream to be an artist.  It is now my second year into this dream and so far things are going well.

Throughout these years of indecision, my sister has stood by me and defended me against any skeptical voices. To her I was the most talented fashion designer, a step away from fame. Then the best make-up artist in Cape Town, no South Africa, no the World! When no-one was buying my art, Kate had bought as many as her flat had room for. Her positivity and fierce loyalty has got me through many a dark day when, facing lack of sales I was considering giving it all up.  

Kate was my biggest fan from the beginning and I know she always will be.

Thank you sister for all your support you will never understand what it has meant to me. Your strength of character and true heart will always be a source of light in my dark days and encouragement for my future. 

I love you so much xxx