Summary

“I was crushed ,”

Mary Engelbreit A talent but struggling artist

Why?

Her dream was broken

When?

In her mid -twenties

Mary Engelbreit , a talented but struggling artist ， was crushed because of her shattered dream in her mid-twenties.

PART1(para1-2) Disappointment

The advice stayed with her

PART2(para3-4)achievement

Because of Mary’s distinctive style in the greeting cards ， she has achieved great success.

Distinctive styleBright , funny, with an eye to the past, elaborate border(hearts, flowers, peaches and teapots) , Ann Estelle

achievement1、 she sells 14million greeting cards a year.2、 her popular designs appear on more than 2,000 products , including books , calendars , and kitchen items.3、 she runs a retail company with shops in nine cities(16 more are planned),and her products are carried by 25,000 retailers.

PART3(para5-9) fortuneThree things in her past life proved that old-fashioned art and values have always been at the core of Engelbreit’s life.

“I was so impressed I had to record it”

“taught me about the business of art”

“Even when we had no money, he never said ‘Go get a job’”

PART4(para10-13) happiness

After that ill-fated trip to New York ,Mary followed her heart ,started her own business and finally succeeded.

She started to draw greeting cards and her son added a new element to her work.

In 1983

In 1986

Despite her success, Engelbreit’s feet are planted firmly on the ground.

Engelbreit eventually realized her dream of illustrating a children’s book.