I was fiddling around with my website this morning (that’s a very normal, constant thing for me) and I realized I hadn’t written a post in so, so long. TWO MONTHS on the dot. So I took it as a sign and decided to open up and share what I’ve experienced over these last 60 days with you and you and you. Really, whoever needs to hear it. Don’t worry, I’m not going down the tunnel of doom and gloom. That’s not my bag. So get ready!

Things haven’t felt that weird at home.
Being that I’m a homebody and my husband has always worked from home, we are used to being cooped up. We are also both INTROVERTS. I love being by myself, selfishly. And the fact that I’m a Projector (if you haven’t studied Human Design, do. You’ll learn so much about yourself) means I give, give, give and end up deflated at the end of the day. I have to restore my energy levels! So alone time and a quiet headspace are ideal for me. I’ve been grounding, juicing, journaling, meditating, taking so many baths with so many mud masks… it’s felt indulgent but it is slowly becoming more normal. I am not good at taking time for myself. I love working and can easily get wrapped up in the business. So I’m viewing this whole thing as an involuntary shift in perspective and a chance to slow down.
Speaking of home… I moved my studio BACK home.
This was something I groveled with for a really long time. Or at least what felt like a really long time. My fabulous brick studio is at an old compound on my side of of the city and is sanitized top to bottom every morning before I ever roll in there. However, the WHAT IF’s were consuming me. There are dozens of artisans that rent from this property and I just knew I’d be one of them to catch this crazy illness from someone’s 3rd cousin who stopped in town for the night to say hey at the studio. And I’d catch their funk. I didn’t realize how much underlying anxiety I was feeling and storing away by commuting back and forth to my studio in those first few weeks of the breakout. So I finally chose to pack up the necessities and schlup my things back home indefinitely. I miss my big studio of course (the room I work out of in my home is a 10x12’ room! I was here for 2+ years though so… it feels cozy and familiar) but I know I’ll be back soon enough. Just waiting until it feels right again.
And speaking of slowing down… Work has not slowed down.
I was surprised by this one… to an extent. I wasn’t sure how collectors, old and new, were going to feel about purchasing artwork during the current climate. I also wasn’t sure what their headspace around money would be. I ALSO hadn’t done a paper release or even a true shop release in so long, I’d forgotten adjusted pricing and it all just felt very, very off. Lots of what if’s and variables floating around that were stacked against me. But I pushed through (normally something I would not recommend) because my date was set. I’d announced this release in FEBRUARY. So the word was very much out. I felt like it was the right thing to do by continuing with the launch. People needed a Pep Talk. And my collectors absolutely blew me away. PEP TALKS. was a huge hit and every paper release I’ve had since then (I think I’m at 4 now?) has only continued to be more successful than the last. I’m also still creating work for upcoming shows over the summer and this fall. I haven’t been able to tell if this relatively normal selling pattern is happening because of where I am in my career or the systems I’ve put in place for my business to secure consistent income (which I teach all about in Creative Money!) but either way, I’m just so thankful. As someone who budgets for EVERYTHING I fully understand the weight of purchasing fine art… it can feel frivolous but it’s also so necessary. Art is one of the true joys in our lives.
Giving feels good!
With the PEP TALKS. collection I knew I couldn’t do it how it’s always been done. There had to be some kind of donation component because we are all so lucky and people need our help. So I’m happy to say over $500 was donated to our food & beverage industry workers through Giving Kitchen + Scofflaw as well as another donation made to the Bombchel Factory for mask production! This is something I want to include moving forward. Giving back really shifts your energy, in the best way possible.
I’ve flown by the seat of my pants a LOT.
So let’s jump back to the sentence where I said ‘normally I would not recommend this.’ If you’ve been following me for a while on social media or have ever collected any of my work, you know 9 times out of 10 it’s planned. VERY planned. I’m talking sitting down with a calendar and writing out my year in January, Q1-Q4. Checking in monthly, tweaking, adding, pivoting (again, something I teach in Creative Money and other courses of mine.) Well guys, I’m here to say that this mentality has basically gone out the window since March. And I fought it with SO much resistance at first. Doing anything differently always feels wrong in the beginning, doesn’t it? But I had to come to terms with the fact that people are living more day-by-day than EVER before because there is so much uncertainty. So I’ve been announcing these shop launches a few days before (it’s easier for people to remember.) I’ve been selling more hands-on via Instagram (Keep them interacting! We’re all on our phones so much right now it only makes sense.) I’ve been acting more on my intuition/gut than ever before. I’m listening to the PINGS! and not questioning them. This blog post was even one of those pings. It’s been an amazing time to get closer to myself, my mind’s eye and really hone in on what I need to be doing for my community.
It’s amazing what we can hear when we just take the time to listen.
People are taking this time to learn.
I launched my Course Library (re-opening for enrollment this summer!) as a total experiment. Again, I didn’t know how people were spending their money right now. We really can only speak to that for ourselves, right? But I thought… gosh, now is the BEST TIME to invest in a course! So much downtime to just dive in, learn, better ourselves so when this thing slows down we are SET! I hopped in a few courses myself (I’m always educating and growing as an artist and business person. This is HUGE for your success!) and was blown. away. by the amount of sign-ups I received. It just goes to show that artists aren’t giving up and really taking their careers seriously during this time to re-evaluate and up-level. I love that!
I bought a mic to finally start my podcast.
This is just another example of me listening to the pings and finally doing something I’ve wanted for over a year. Funny story… I used to record voice memos when I drove to-and-from my Drewry Street studio for those 3 months. It was a 20-30 minute commute each morning and evening so I spent my drive spatting constructive criticism into the phone. It was my Podcast 1.0 experience and I have over 40 of those voice memos. So I’m excited to revisit this passion project, get better quality audio flowing and hopefully have the information you’ve been searching for at your fingertips. I don’t intend to become a podcaster, make any money off or this… none of that. I just have a lot to share and want everyone to be successful! But I plan to make it fun, too. And when it’s not fun, I won’t be recording. (shoutout to Cafe Binge for this tip.) So stay tuned for that. And if there’s something specific you want me to cover, tell me here!
I haven’t watched the news or any daytime TV in 2 months.
I think this one stands on its own. I highly recommend.
I’m still very optimistic.
I’ll end with saying this: We needed this more than ever. It’s been so different for everyone, each individual, each household. It’s been devastating for families. People have lost jobs, lost loved ones. But we are resilient. And I’ve never felt more hopeful about our society as a whole then I do today. We needed this tough lesson to open our eyes a bit wider. And we aren’t out of the woods yet, of course. It takes a lot to get me down. You guys know I’m always twisting the story around to see the good. So I apologize if this is offending anyone. But I encourage you to be thankful for the fresh air, the quiet, the stillness for just one moment today. I miss my friends and my mom so much. My mother-in-law. I miss being comfortable at my studio and feeling the creative flow that space brings. I miss not being afraid. I miss our sushi place. I miss the old normal. But I also am finding a lot of joy in this new normal the more I lean into it and the less resistance I have… embracing the day for what it is and thanking God for another chance to make my mark on the world. It’s so easy to get caught up in the negative (trust me, I’m in a big group text with some worried mama’s and I get it!) but there is also so much good going on all around us. People are becoming kinder, more considerate as a whole and we are teaming up like never before.
I didn’t think I’d see this in my lifetime.
So we are witnessing history in more ways than one. And to realize that in the moment is a pretty incredible thing.

My only hope is that these posts shine light on SOMETHING for SOMEONE. If these words help one person, that’s all I need. That to me is worth the time. So no matter how you’re feeling, how your business is doing just know this… it’s only up from here. Things will get better. And we are all just doing the best we can.
One day at a time.

Sending love to you all.
Xx, Allison

I turn 30 tomorrow. And it feels like a doozy.
Some of you may be shaking your head, some of you may be nodding your head.
Either way, it’s a strange time and I thought I would make the most of how quickly life is passing by writing down a few bits of advice I would’ve told myself when I was in my early 20’s if I could.

My hope is that some of these words send a ping to your heart, make you know you aren’t insane, and that yes, we all had our terrible choices in life. Let’s go!

Don’t dye your hair brown. Even if it’s for the lead in the play. Because eventually, your hair will have to be orange to get anywhere near your normal blonde again.
Be kind to yourself. You care too much and the stress is fleeting.
You can do anything you want. Big dreams (like having a studio of your own and being a professional artist) are really possible with hard work and a loving support system.
Nice guys finish first. Ditch the douche bags and hold out for the sweet ones. He will come around eventually. (And no, you won’t meet him at the frat party. No matter how many times you keep going.)
Your old 94’ Jeep will be the coolest car you ever own. Enjoy it while you have it.
Anxiety is not bigger than you. It’s a daily decision to not let it consume your thoughts. You can’t shine with the weight of your worries blurring your vision.
Finding your painting style won’t be easy. It will takes years. You’re an indecisive person and you’ll just have to ride this wave until it works.
Commitment is scary (to rent, to a dog, to a job, anything) and you’ll never shake that. But find excitement in being able to commit!
PERSPECTIVE IS EVERYTHING!
More chocolate, less freak outs.
You’ll learn to love working out and training. You’ll overcome your asthma. You’ll find it helps you so. much. with stress from the day to day.
Stop buying trendy anything. You have cool style. Embrace that you aren’t in to the same pieces as everyone else.
Being rich isn’t everything. Once you have a taste you’ll realize it’s nothing special.
You’ll always be afraid to have kids but you know being a mom is a part of your calling.
All of the things you write in your journals will eventually end up in cyberspace. You’ll be so comfortable sharing that it becomes a part of your business.
You will be confident!
Don’t put off painting for so long after graduation. You won’t be happy without it.
Call your mom more.
Stop trying so hard.
You’ll thank yourself for washing your face every night and sticking with that wrinkle cream!!!
Mixing alcohols is not a thing. Don’t try to make that a thing.
Cooking will become a getaway for you. You’ll learn to use it as a creative space at home.
Helping others is your calling. You’ll find a way to merge this with your artwork. Really, anything you want to do is possible. You just have to find a way.
Marketing should have been your minor.
Drawing people and faces will become boring to you. Start painting from emotion now.
You’ll move to Atlanta. The one place you swore you’d never move.
People in your life will come and go. You’ll be fine.
Don’t look to others for validation.
Comparing yourself to anyone but yourself will only lead to sadness. This art thing isn’t about anyone but you. Keep your blinders on and work hard.
Turning 30 will feel like 16 again.

Thank you for making these past few years so incredibly full. I’ve learned a lot along the way. And I’m just happy to be here to share it.

Cheers to 30! And to you, and you, and you.

Xx, Allison