The cursor blinked on her screen. A blank canvas, waiting. And yet, this time, something felt different. Sonja Tarallo had spent two decades in pharmacy and healthcare, tending to patients, balancing medications, and navigating the demands of a career that left little room for creativity. But now, she wasn’t in a hospital. She was in front of her laptop, layering colors, adjusting lighting, and breathing life into an idea that had been waiting for years. 

She had always loved art. But love alone hadn’t been enough. Life pulled her in other directions—raising a daughter, a full-time career, and eventually, a battle with leukemia. Surviving cancer forced her to reconsider everything. 

“I had been wanting to go into graphic design since my early 20s,” Tarallo said. “But life kept happening. I wasn’t sure if I could do it, or if I’d be able to absorb things like younger students. I doubted myself.” 

But the thought never left her. When she finally had the chance, she enrolled in EICC’s online Graphic Arts program. “After my first semester, I was hooked,” she said. 

Returning to School and Finding Her Place 

Starting college later in life came with its own challenges. Tarallo was balancing schoolwork while navigating family life and lingering health concerns. She wondered how she would fit into a classroom with students much younger than her. But those fears quickly faded. 

“There was so much I didn’t know,” she said. “Even with Photoshop, a program I thought I knew well, I learned so many techniques I had never used before.” 

She credits her professors for making the transition back into school seamless.  

“Patrick Cheak is so calm and patient—he’s always there to help. Chris Legel and I are around the same age, so we connect over music and movies that the younger students don’t always recognize. And Nicole Davis—she’s been an incredible mentor. She guided me early on when I needed direction and gave me the confidence to push my work further.” 

Even as an online student, Tarallo never felt disconnected.  

“My professors, my counselor, really everyone at EICC has been so helpful,” she said. “It’s never felt like I was just a name on a screen.” 

Creating Father Time and Mother Nature Playing Chess 

One of the defining moments of Tarallo’s time at EICC came when she created Father Time and Mother Nature Playing Chess, a digital triptych that tells the story of two ancient forces locked in a strategic game. The inspiration came from a class assignment where EICC Art Instructor Nicole Davis encouraged students to create a piece that told a story. 

“I love mythology, and I love nature, so the idea just clicked,” she said. “What if Mother Nature and Father Time were competing? And what if their game had consequences?” 

The details of the piece emerged organically. A storm brewing behind Father Time. The wind rushing through the scene. The shifting hues across the triptych, giving the sense that time itself was moving. 

Father Time and Mother Nature Playing Chess, a digital triptych by Sonja Tarallo

“I wanted it to feel like time was shifting within the piece itself,” she said. “Like you’re watching a moment unfold, but you’re not sure what will happen next.” 

She worked late into the night fine-tuning every element, adjusting the tones and composition until the piece spoke exactly how she wanted it to. And then, when it was done, she sent it off—never imagining where it would end up. 

A Turning Point 

Walking into the Figge Art Museum, where her work was on display as part of the College Invitational, Tarallo felt an unexpected wave of doubt. She looked around at the other artwork—intricate, powerful pieces from students across the region—and started second-guessing herself. 

“I thought, ‘What am I doing here?’” she admitted. “There was so much talent in that room. I was looking at all of these incredible pieces and comparing mine, thinking, ‘Do I even belong in this space?’” 

Then, the awards were announced. Third place: Sonja Tarallo. 

“I was in shock,” she said. “I just stood there thinking, ‘Wait. What just happened? It was so unexpected, but truly an awesome experience.’” 

That moment changed everything. “It was like validation,” she said. “Like, yes, I do belong here. My work does łŸČčłÙłÙ±đ°ù.” 

Looking Ahead 

As she nears graduation, Tarallo is thinking about what comes next. Freelancing is the dream, but she’s also mindful of the practicalities. “Insurance is a big concern, given my medical history,” she said. “I’d love to work for myself, but I also need stability. So I’m figuring it out.” 

One thing is certain—she wants to create on her own terms. “So much design work today feels the same. I don’t want to be boxed into that,” she said. “I want to make things that feel like me.” 

Her advice to other aspiring artists? “Don’t let anyone put you in a box. Put yourself in your work. If you understand it, that’s all that matters.” 

For years, Tarallo wondered if she had waited too long to pursue her passion. Now, she has her answer. “You’re never too old. You’re never too late,” she said. “Just start.”