Courage to Be Yourself

     On Tuesday, I was so excited to find out that the morning receptionist at my part-time job could cover for me while I take a vacation to Highlands, NC where I will be doing the Highlands Country Club Member Art Show for the 4th year.  Tuesday when I woke up I had to do those I like to put off until the last minute, but I decided this was really the only time I would be able to get my oil changed in my car and my tires rotated since we had an extra car for a few days.  Let me just admit there are many other things that are on my to-do list that I am in still need of accomplishing.
     The thing though is that I am really good about doing the things I want to do like editing my photographs, making my art work, and all that.  One thing though that has been keeping me from being my best is the people who seem to want to judge me for doing some of the things I do.  Well, for that I can not express how sad that makes me.  Yes, I do Irontribe.  Irontribe is like crossfire for those of you have not heard of it.  I understand some people think I am crazy for doing it, but let me say Irontribe has helped me in some ways and my coaches, who are amazing, let me modify my workouts to help me.  The other thing is that yes I might not confront people about things, but I always ask someone older and wiser for help when dealing with situations.  Let me just say this has helped me with my business.  Without my family, I might have written some poor descriptions on explaining the process of my work.  So, yes I will admit at 25 with my own business, a part-time job, and other things I do to help out I do need the occasional help.
     I support so many artists out there from fashion designers to graphic designers to bloggers to musicians to painters.  Everyone has their own unique style that it takes COURAGE to put yourself out there in this scary world.  It takes courage to be yourself  and that is what I try to everyday.  So to everyone reading this blog today and over the next few days please share it, because yes I am 25 and doing everything I can to tell you about my unique photography.  I make digital skins that I put on top of wood blocks that I cover with silver or gold leaf.  I make custom prints.

Just messing with shapes and colors today! Express Yourself!

For more information about my work follow me on my Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram pages.

Supporters

     My mom gave me this idea for my photography a while back after she talked to one of her last connections with the SAE house at Vanderbilt.  She gave me the idea of taking photographs of the sororities and fraternities at Alabama and Auburn and of course other places that mean something to the students.  Since of course I really do not know my way around the University of Alabama I have this really kind neighbor who is willing to drive down with me on a Saturday and take photographs with me.  This is getting me super super excited about this summer and what is in store for me with my photography.  I remember learning about copyright and my neighbor has already sent an email to a friend at the University and they said it should be fine for me to take photographs and then sell them!  I am here thinking I am so glad I have this wonderful neighbor who loves my art and is willing to help me.  That is the thing I have been learning a lot about recently.  I have some really big supporters who would be willing to be do a lot of things to help me out.
     I have counselors from camp who have seen me recently who have let me take photographs from the rooftop of the building where they work.  I am not sure how I was able to get this lucky with people who are willing to help me out in the smallest way, but it feels like the biggest deal to me.  I never know how I could ever THANK them enough for all their support and kindness they are showing me while I am doing what I love.  I am photographing whenever I am able too.  Recently, I photographed downtown Birmingham from a rooftop, took some photos at the PreSchool Partners Food Truck Round Up and Art Show, my mom's new puppy, and hiking in Highlands, NC.  All these different things show how diverse I am as an artist and how I will photograph anything to keep practice.
     For me photography is seeing the smile on people's faces when they see my work.  It is also about seeing how many people are able to come together for art.

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