It’s Never Too Late: My Path to Illustration

How I Overcame Self-Doubt and Finally Embraced My Creative Calling

Mar 14, 2025

I was always the creative kid, the one doodling in notebooks, crafting imaginary worlds, and dreaming of a life filled with art. At nine years old, I confidently announced that I wanted to go to art school. But life had other plans. Instead, I was guided toward a private Catholic high school, where I learned to thrive despite my daydreaming nature. Back then, ADHD in girls wasn’t something people talked about: it was seen as a “boy problem.” My atypical nature caused me lot's of anxiety, working twice as hard to get good grades.

When college rolled around, my art school dreams were nudged aside once again. Graphic design was the practical alternative, the “acceptable” creative path at the time. And so, I followed it. It wasn’t all bad; I loved the illustration classes, but they were just a fraction of the curriculum.

At 25, I launched my freelance career in design and marketing, building a business that sustained me for the next 15 years. From the outside, it looked like success. But inside, I battled anxiety, limiting beliefs, and the persistent whisper of an unfulfilled dream.

At 35, burnout hit me like a tidal wave. It took two years of deep work, therapy, self-reflection, and mental health care, to begin rebuilding. Just as I started finding my footing, life threw another curveball: a head injury at 40 that forced me to slow down and reassess everything. That pause, painful as it was, led to clarity.

I had spent years believing that illustration wasn’t a “real career,” that making art was a hobby, not a livelihood. But why? Where did that story come from? At 39, I started working with a counselor, peeling back layers of old narratives. I began to understand why I had buried my artistic dreams so deeply.

Then, at 45, while my child was being assessed for ADHD, I received my own diagnosis. Suddenly, so much of my life made sense: the struggles, the overwhelm, the ways I had pushed myself into boxes that never quite fit.

And so, at 46, I finally gave myself permission. I stepped fully into the world of illustration, not as a side project, not as a maybe-one-day dream, but as my career. Today, I’m working on children’s books, storytelling through art in a way my nine-year-old self would be proud of.

It took me decades to get here, but every step - the struggles, the detours, the self-doubt - was part of the journey. To anyone holding onto a dream, wondering if it’s too late, I say this: it’s never too late to become who you were meant to be.

I would LOVE to know your story! Please let me know who you are, what is your calling, your obsession etc! Comment below!

About

Valerie Parizeault is a French Canadian artist, designer, and illustrator based in the heart of Shediac, New Brunswick. Inspired by the whimsy of childhood and the curious beauty hidden in everyday moments, she brings a painterly, textural richness to her work, whether crafting playful children's illustrations, evocative editorial pieces, or intricate pattern designs.

With 20 years of experience in graphic design and art direction, she brings a solid artistic eye to every project. Holding a degree in Graphic Design and a Bachelor's in Visual Art from Université du Québec à Montréal, she has collaborated with a diverse range of clients, crafting compelling visual narratives across various industries.

Specialties & Creative Focus

Valerie specializes in creating board books, picture books, and chapter books, bringing stories to life with a unique blend of charm and depth. She has also illustrated editorial pieces for children's magazines and has written and illustrated two published short stories.

Beyond illustration, she is a versatile visual storyteller, capable of crafting compelling brand identities, licensing-ready artwork, and immersive, narrative-driven designs. She thrives on collaboration and is always eager to explore new creative challenges.

When she's not creating, you'll find her with a coffee in hand, lost in a book, or enjoying the company of her ever-loyal black Lab, Java on a beach walk.