Put Yourself Out There

A few months back I saw a Facebook post in a local community group that was looking for artists who would be interested in displaying their work in our local library. I replied to the given e-mail address to see if they would be interested in photography. The reply was an emphatic “of course, would you like to be the first exhibitor?” Yikes! I was equal parts excited for the opportunity and scared to put myself out there. So I set about trying to pick what photos to print to fit in the space available and what materials to print them on. It turned out that the art would also be on sale while on display, with a percentage going to the library. This was challenging. I considered several factors when choosing - 1. variety of sizes/price points/print material, 2. what would people be interested in for their own walls and, 3. grouping in themes for the wall space at the library.

Once I chose the prints and hung them up in the library, I had to market myself a bit. That was the hard part. I mainly stuck to local FB community groups and my personal FB and IG pages. While marketing myself I tried to also promote the library and this program they were participating in for local artists who would come after me. It is such a wonderful relationship for both - the library gets some beautiful art work to dress up their walls and some fundraising from sales while the artists get community exposure. I look forward to seeing the work of those to come.

In the end, I did sell 5 prints, out of 18, but it was still a thrill to see a “SOLD” sticker on those pieces when I went to retrieve the remaining prints. My photography is really just for me in the end, but it is a wonderful feeling to know that others appreciate what you are creating, enough to spend a little bit of money on it and hang it in their homes.

So the moral of my story, I suppose, is put yourself out there, look for these opportunities and push through the fear. You will definitely experience growth and learning while possibly making a bit of money! And who knows what might come from the exposure - possibly other opportunities?

Meanwhile, I have the remaining prints available for sale. All are shown below with sizes, print material and cost. Shipping would be extra.

Alberta Wildflowers

8 x 12” Canvas Prints

$95 Canadian each

These gallery box prints turned out so well. This was the first time I had printed using this style and I was really happy with how they turned out. All three images are of local Alberta/BC locations - 1. Vimy Peak at sunset in Waterton National Park, 2. Emerald Lake Lodge in Yoho National Park and 3. Bow Lake in Banff National Park.

Mountain Lake series

12 x 18” Gallery Box Prints

$250 Canadian each

This image was taken at sunrise as the light hit the prairies and the mountains of Waterton National Park. As I waited for the light, I listened to the birds sing as they woke and the nearby cattle calling. Deer and coyote wandered through the grassland below me.

Where the Prairies Meet the Mountains

18 x 36” metal print

$575 Canadian

These are three waterfall images from Oregon. Each is 16 x 24 inches and printed on metal with vibrant colours.

Oregon Waterfalls

16 x 24” metal images

$400 Canadian each or $1,000 Canadian as a set.

Prairie Silos

12 x 18” Canvas Print

$150 Canadian

Thanks for reading and looking!

May 2020 Serenity Blog Circle - Spring Serenity

Spring always brings such hope after the long winter - trees leafing, plants poking out of the ground, longer days, warmer temperatures, the beautiful song of migrating birds.

This hopeful season has never been more needed with the past few months of crazy, scary circumstances around the world brought on by the virus COVID-19.

For 2 months now, the mantra has been “stay home”, which I have, other than for the essentials like food. I’ve wanted to go for some drives on back country roads with my camera, and even though it really didn’t break any rules, it didn’t feel right so I have busied myself with photography on my own property.

Last Friday though, I hit the road with my gear and headed to the foothills south of the city to see how Spring looked down there. The weather was perfect for a little road trip. Bright blue, sunny skies with warm air and the definite feeling that Spring had arrived!

Getting lost on back country roads

Rocky Mountains looming above the rolling hills

Trees are just starting to leaf out and are that special colour of green that you only get in spring.

While I was shooting these trees, a couple drove by about 3 times. They finally stopped and asked what was “up there”. He surely thought I was odd when I told him I was just “shooting the trees”.

One of many pond reflections.

Last Year’s flowers - still waiting for spring blooms here.

While stopped beside a pond at the beginning of my drive, I noticed this bird, which I’ve never seen before. He was such a good poser and allowed me to get several frames of him. He had the sweetest little “cheep cheep” sound and I could hear several of the same bird answering across the road. When I did my research back home, I learned it was a Snipe.

I was thrilled to see several Mountain Bluebirds and lucky enough to spend some time observing a pair for a while.

The males are the most brilliant and beautiful colour of blue! He was very patient and obliging with me.

The female

I need to do some research on the nest boxes and who keeps them up and labels them etc.

There were a pair of tree swallows hanging around the nest box as well and for a long time I was unsure who was actually claiming the box as it’s home. I’m pretty sure it was the bluebirds.

The tree swallows were so comical with their expressions - in my imagination, I saw them arguing or gossiping as they sat on the fence line.

Sitting pretty….

It was a great way to end the week and regain what felt like a little bit of normalcy after 2 months of isolating.

Stay safe my friends.

The Serenity Project is a collaborative photography project featuring images that bring a sense of peace and calm. Please continue our circle to to see what has brought my friends serenity this month.

Follow the link to see what brought Nancy Armstrong, Kansas City Fine Art Photographer serenity this month.

Enjoy this month’s circle with my talented friends.