Opportunities in September!

     I can honestly say that I would never have dreamed that I would have entered myself in not one but three art shows in basically a one month time frame.  But I did and I am so excited that I did.  I had so much fun at the Highlands Country Club Art Show that helps raise money for a scholarship fund.  During this after show week I made a few more connections, saw some of the people who have been supporting me for years and took photos for more of my handmade work.

     I already knew I was going to be in another art show near the same location as the Highlands Country Club Art Show towards the end of September so I started making my digital skins before I left for my first art show.  The art show at the end of September is called Tartan Marketplace and I am thrilled to be a part of it.  But more about that one probably on my social media sites.

     The one I am very excited about is this weekend in my hometown called the Birmingham Artwork.  It takes place over two days in downtown Birmingham.  The dates are Friday, September 8th and Saturday, September 9th.  When I got the email last weekend they had found a place to put me I was thrilled.  I knew it was short notice, but it is such an exciting opportunity to exhibit my work.  These opportunities help me get my name out there and to tell people about my handmade artwork.  I have no idea what will happen at the art shows in September.  I know though that I will have to do a lot of promoting for the next couple month!  

The entrance to the art show at Highlands Country Club

My art work at the Highlands Country Club art show

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#artshows #alabamaphotographer #handmadart #allierayphotography #birminghamartwalk2017

August is for Art Shows

     As July is coming to a close and August is about to begin I am so happy to begin getting ready for an art show that I have participated in for the last five years in Highlands, NC.  Each year at this art show I always feel like I have a great audience of people who really show an interest in my work.  They also try to find me and ask me questions about my work which I am always happy to answer.  But I have to tell you when I am explaining my artwork they all look 100% confused.
     Art shows sometimes can be nerve-wrecking, because for some of them we have to fill out an application.  We have to wait to see if we will be partaking in the event.  If it is an art show that has a party along with it or a festive theme more people come to see the art.  Sometimes though it is all about how much you as an artist promote the event and your work.  Every time I prepare myself for an art show whether it is in my hometown or I am traveling to it -- 'I say to myself I will be happy if I sell one or if someone is interested in my work.'  I try to make sure I relax and remember that it is a process becoming an ARTIST ---- it does not happen over night and never give up.  Another key thing to remember is to always be patient when people begin asking you about your work.  You might get the same question over and over again.  The more you are willing to talk to people about your work, the more they will want to work with you as an artist and as a person.

Some of my gold and silver work you might see at the Art Show in North Carolina!

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Time Management

     Honestly, I thought I was always good maybe even great at time management until this past weekend.  Somehow I let the month of April fly by me without a second thought.  Maybe it was due to the fact I was super excited that I had a niece born this month.  I have also been editing these adorable dog photos from the Mutt Strut benefiting Hand in Paw that was over Easter Weekend.  I am not really sure, but when I realized last weekend I only had 2 weeks - 14 days until the PreSchool Partner Food Truck Round Up and Art Show (for more information about the art show click here) I was like WAIT!  I honestly thought I had another weekend somewhere between April 22nd and May 6th!  Nope, nada, wrong!  I worked a lot over the weekend and even skipped taking my dog a good long walk.
     Time management is hard and I know I struggle with it sometimes.  During these times when you realize you have way to much to do make sure you do some things for yourself as well.

Some suggestions:

1.  If it is nice out take a short walk (if you have a dog take your dog with you).  I take my dog on several short walks during the days I have to work on art all day.  Sometimes we sit outside on one of our breaks.  This always refreshed my mind.

2.  If you are like me sometimes you forget about eating when you realize you don't have a lot of time.  Make sure you make time to eat.  If you have friends or family close by schedule a meal with them so you are able to take a break from your art.

3.  Always schedule your time for your art, exercise, grocery shopping, etc. or at least try.  Calendars are great.  I have a paper calendar from Erin Condren click here to personalize your own.  I love how there is a column for a to do list each week! I also use my calendar on my cell!





#timemanagement #allierayphotography #birminghamphotographer #alabamaphotographer #artshow

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Check

     I am one of those photographers who likes to plan things out and know her schedule for the week.  During my free time I will write down the things that I hope to accomplish and I always add things like walk my dog, workout, grocery store, laundry, etc.  It is not that I am likely to forget to do those things, but with an art show coming up benefiting PreSchool Partners I sometimes focus more on my artwork.  That may happen to other photographers and artists similar to me.
     The thing I have come realize as each year I gain new customers and my photography business grows that I have to make decisions that benefit me both in my personal and professional life.  I started to realize I need to make clear deadlines and guidelines for some of the work I do.  This will help benefit me from getting stressed when I have to rush through a project last minute.  I try to figure out when my clients need they pieces they have ordered by and work with a deadline.  Usually I create my own deadline if someone does not give me one.  My photography journal that has all my assignments in it has the steps that I need to do for each project and I put a check mark by each finished step.
     I apply the techniques that I followed in boarding school with trying to be finished with all my work by a certain time through out the day so I will be well rested.  This might mean I work some on the weekends, but so far I have been able to edit photographs from engagement parties and return them within a week.
     Anyways, back to finishing up last minute pieces for the PreSchool Partners Food Truck Round-Up and Art Show this Saturday, May 7 at the Summit from 11 a.m. till 2 p.m.

And do not forget to go outside and explore the world around you!

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Toot Your Horn

Hello once again my avid blog readers!!
     My photography if you did not know it is my safe place to express myself when the world around me gets crazy.  When I happen to get a great review, my name in the paper, or some acknowledgement for my my I get butterflies.  These are not the type of butterflies you get when falling in love, but the kind you get from pure satisfaction of a job well done.  Here is the article that my sister helped me edit for an upcoming art show.  When I say edit I mean without her it would sound like a third grade level paper maybe sixth grade level paper.  Anyways,  I just have been shouting out to the world my good news or as some wise women once told me to do toot your own horn.  Honestly, I have learned over the years that you are your worst and best critic.  I am not the exact person who first said this, but I will always remember this.  That is why I try to be proud of all my accomplishments big or small.  I feel proud of the praise from others, but I try to keep myself in check with who I really am as a person.  So I have been posting tons of information about the show for Leeds Art Council at the Leeds Theatre and Arts Center on March 6th 1:30 to 3:30 pm is the opening reception on my social media outlets.  All while doing some celebratory dancing!  I hope you all can make it to one of the days the gallery is opened.

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