Rebecka Hess

About Me & The Ryman Program USC

I vividly remember the day I received the invitation to submit a painting or drawing for the Ryman program. Overwhelmed with excitement, I dashed outside and gathered some leaves, letting them fall naturally on the kitchen table. With my favorite Radiohead tunes playing in the background, I immersed myself in the drawing, using sharp edges, light shading, and bold lines. Despite having limited supplies as a teen, I made the most of a small piece of regular printer paper. Once my drawing was complete, I mailed it in and anxiously awaited a response. Weeks later, I received a letter of acceptance, filling me with a mix of mystery, hope, and the lingering question, "Am I good enough for this program?"

As a teen, I was incredibly shy and would turn bright red whenever the teacher called on me, making the thought of going to college quite intimidating. I also never liked to show off my art, often hiding my creations from my mom and family members to avoid being the center of attention.

Everything changed after I joined the Ryman Program. On the first day, we dove into a live model drawing class. All the other kids were talented, but we shared a common passion that made the class inspiring. We all wanted to be there and make the most of it. While I don't remember any of my classmates, I do remember improving significantly, learning new techniques, and gaining the confidence to show my art to the class and explain my work without turning red!

After completing the Ryman program, I held various jobs, some related to art and some not. One of my favorite roles was working in Interior Design at Idea Space Design in Beverly Hills. I would sketch room layouts (before AutoCAD became popular) and present them to high-profile clients like Keyshawn Johnson and Loy Vaught. I loved that job immensely. However, life took a turn. I lost my mom, got pregnant, and moved to Santa Clarita. I started bartending, got married, and then divorced. Seeking a fresh start for my daughter and me, we sold everything, boarded a plane, and relocated to Georgia in 2018 for a better school system and to be closer to my sister and her kids.

Once I arrived in Georgia, I faced some medical issues that put a pause on all my physical jobs. In 2020, I was diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. For the next three years, I battled this aggressive cancer, and eventually, they decided to do a stem cell transplant. I spent a lot of time in the hospital and was often bored. I hadn't touched art in years because I was busy with life, raising my daughter, and working hard as a single mom (still single, by the way). I asked the nurses for paper and a pen, and I started drawing again. I drew pictures of the nurses' kids; they would text me photos, and I would quickly sketch them. One nurse brought me a watercolor set, and I painted Elephants, Lions and Giraffes. I fell in love with art all over again, and in that moment of almost dying, I decided that I wanted to do what I love for the rest of my life, no matter how broke I might be.

After I healed, I transformed my garage into a studio space and launched my own business, Dr.Canvas Art. I travelled to people's homes, conducting fun art classes to engage with the community and make connections. I joined local art association groups, attended their meetings, and participated in all their monthly and yearly shows. I also approached various businesses, offering to display my artwork and share commissions with them. I did everything I could to get my name out there and immerse myself in the local art scene.

I'm not going to lie; I still struggle to sell my art because finding those who appreciate your particular style can be challenging. But just to show off a little, I recently sold a painting that was displayed at the Savannah Airport. Yeah! I'm a member of the Savannah Art Association, Arts on the Coast, Effingham Artists, and I recently joined the Society of Bluffton Artists. My plan is to venture off to other local cities, get in more Art Fairs and continue to show and sell my work. It feels euphoric to see my dreams coming true.

I owe a lot to the Ryman Program for giving me the confidence to pursue art as a career. Growing up, I didn't have a great support system, and many people told me to "get a real job" or "you'll never make it, you're not good enough." Don't listen to anyone like that! Do what you feel is right for you. I'm so happy right now. I have a day job as a Day Spa Manager, which means I get free facials and massages whenever I need them. I paint every night for at least two hours and spend the entire weekend immersed in my art, still listening to Radiohead while I zen out.

My daughter just got her driver's license, and she is healthy and beautiful, just like me. We have two half-breed pit bull rescues. I don't own a home yet, but I recently turned 40, and I absolutely savor my life right now! I hope my story helps other students who struggle to find their path. Life is never going to be perfect, but doing what you love will enrich your life so much, I promise! Like, totally!