I was born in Italy in April the 11th, 30 years ago.
I've never really liked arts, but I've find myself drawing my very first sketches at the age of 7.
I was kinda like an introverted kid  and to me, drawing was more than just a way to be accepted by schoolmates and trying to fit in. Nor that it earned me  some particular advantage or anything, but  at school I've surely  bargained  my "talent" with some fancy pen and/or some cheap toy. LOL
My freehand skill kept growing, but soon after, it came to a stop. As a matter of fact. the innovation represented by PCs and illustration softwares related convinced me that it would have been a wiser choice to start learning those brand new techniques.
I begun with Corel Draw in 1995. I've been through Illustrator, Publisher, also tried Dreamweaver, Flash MX and so many others in the last 12 years.
But I've never fit with other softwares as much as I did with Photoshop. Was kinda like love at first sight (or "click" if you wish LOL).
Since that very day, I worked as a graphic designer, copywriter, art director, all the way down to establish my very own advertising agency.
Unfortunately, I had to face problems I had never dealt with, such as my lack of knowledge of advanced marketing rules, inexperienced employers, a lazy market, and 3 years later I quit with it in order to move to the U.S. Without any debt, at least (LOL).
 
I'm now living in New York but I'll be moving to Canada soon.
What I learned from my life so far?
Don't let Life driving you around. Try to always hold the "wheel" and so deciding where you want to be.
and hey...Always stand for what you believe in ;-)
 
Hugs,
Robbie.