( CNN ) Lynn Smith used to lead a fast-paced life as the owner of a London-based film props company . However her first love has always been art . Taking the plunge into the unknown , Smith decided to sell her business , say goodbye to her friends , and move to Mauritius to pursue a career as an artist full time . `` I was passionate about my business as well , it was amazing , my job was wonderful , '' Smith says , `` but I always wanted to be an artist since I was very , very young . A teacher put me off it at school and I did n't go down that road , and I regretted it . '' Smith chose Mauritius because she had fallen in love with the lush beauty of the tropical island on previous trips to visit her son , who lives there . Her studio , where she paints portraits and carves sculptures out of marble , clay and bronze , is by the sea , and Smith says she is endlessly inspired by the natural beauty of her adopted home . `` I go out every day driving around , every day you see things that are inspirational . Getting up in the morning I sit on the terrace , I look out to the sea , to the islands , '' she says . The artist , who goes by the moniker Lynni , says her new life is a dream come true , but a dream that she created not by wishing for it , but working to make it happen . `` If you want to do something you just have to get off your backside and do it yourself because nobody else is going to do it , '' she says . `` All my life I blamed that careers teacher and then I realized it was stupid to blamer her , it was my fault . I did n't follow my dream . And it got to the stage where I realized it 's time to follow my dream , '' she adds .
Lynn Smith used to work in the movie industry in Mauritius . She changed her career to become an artist in London .