In order to pursue her true love, Ashlee Comerford is falling back on her trade.

ItB次元官网网址檚 a story all too common with artists. Sticking out a less than desirable day job in order to stay up late making music, put a pen to paper or a brush to canvas.

In ComerfordB次元官网网址檚 case, though, itB次元官网网址檚 not so bad.

The 29-year-old is an award-winning impressionist-style painter, which she currently does in the second bedroom in her apartment, a stoneB次元官网网址檚 throw from Macaulay Point.

She relocated to Esquimalt four months ago from Colorado, where she lived the past six years. And until she can establish herself as a full-time artist, sheB次元官网网址檚 working a part-time job, and is on the ice nearly every day as a coach with the Oak Bay Figure Skating Club.

B次元官网网址淚t comes very natural to me. A long time ago, before I had ever painted, I was completely dedicated to skating,B次元官网网址� Comerford said of her days growing up in St. JohnB次元官网网址檚, Nfld.

Perhaps not surprisingly, her talents have come in handy, particularly with choreography, said head coach Jamie McGrigor.

B次元官网网址淚 havenB次元官网网址檛 seen her art but weB次元官网网址檝e heard sheB次元官网网址檚 famous, and I wouldnB次元官网网址檛 be surprised,B次元官网网址� McGrigor said.

B次元官网网址�(Comerford) is one of our many excellent coaches. SheB次元官网网址檚 well rounded at it and the bonus is sheB次元官网网址檚 great at choreography, which not everyone can do, believe me.B次元官网网址�

Last month, Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 skaters won at the Island championships, a team that included Amanda Wright, who was judged best elements skater in her category.

But thatB次元官网网址檚 a day job for Comerford.

As an artist, her plan is to get back on her feet as a working impressionist, which shouldnB次元官网网址檛 be too hard. Her career is budding and already includes hundreds of impressionist paintings sold in the past few years, many from a gallery she had in Loveland, Col.

B次元官网网址淚 still get sales from my website but the goal is to become further immersed in the community,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 still just checking it all out.B次元官网网址�

And thereB次元官网网址檚 that award.

Judged by jury, her piece Labour of Love won second in its category in the American Impressionists Society show in 2010.

ItB次元官网网址檚 a career that was bound to happen, though it took a suggestion from a friend back in St. JohnB次元官网网址檚.

B次元官网网址淚 used to sketch with my pencil, and was pretty good at it, and my friend said B次元官网网址榶ouB次元官网网址檝e got to pursue this if youB次元官网网址檙e going to pursue anything.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 went to Denver for a one-month trial at the Arts Student League, and then submitted my pieces for review. IB次元官网网址檇 never picked up a brush before but they accepted me by jury. I returned for three years with two of the top master-impressionists in the U.S.A., Quang Ho and Ron Hicks.B次元官网网址�

So far, ComerfordB次元官网网址檚 completed some local commission work and next week is kind of a big one, as sheB次元官网网址檒l tie the knot with her fiance, who is stationed here with the navy.

See her work at ashleecomerford.com.