It all started some months ago at an opening at Art & Light Gallery here in Greenville. Teresa Roche, the gallery owner/director of the gallery Teresa Roche <artandlightgallery.com/>invited Lesley Forager <lesley@artsyforager.com>, her web master, who is also a wonderful painter to have a show at Art & Light. She suggested that Lesley might consider giving a little seminar on the subject of social media while she was in Greenville.
Thankfully, Leslie said yes! The word must have traveled quickly because about 15 artists showed up to greet Lesley with great enthusiasm! The information she shared was excellent! She explained what social media is and how best to use it. She also explained which media works best for artists. I was so excited about all I learned that I asked Lesley if I could hire her to look at my relatively new site which was focused on my blog, "Day to Day", and make suggestions about how to now turn it into a site more focused on my work and on sales and commissions. She was genuinely enthusiastic about helping. About a week later a detailed report with excellent suggestions arrived by email.
I immediately forwarded Lesley's report to my son Ryan. It is Ryan who has empowered me since the beginning of this journey to learn how to take care of my own site! He felt it would free me from alway depending on others. He was also the one who suggested I might also like to start a blog. I knew he was right but was not sure at the ripe age of almost 72 that I could actually learn how to do it. He assured me he would be by my side every step of the way and so he has, with love and great patience I must say! Over time, I came to really enjoy posting different types of content to "Day To Day", but there was a problem. I enjoy writing and posting content about things that are important to me along with events happening in my life; however, I came to realize that if I was going to use a blog to focus on my work, I would need a 2nd one. Thus "From the Studio" was born.
I tell you this, because I want to give each of you a choice. You now have the option to receive weekly digest from either or both. If you like what you receive simply do nothing, except perhaps share with others that you think might enjoy it. If you want to stop receiving the digest, feel free to opt out. I promise it won't hurt my feelings!
With that said, I also want to announce that my site has received a total makeover. It focuses on a lot more of my work and frankly is a lot more aesthetically pleasing. Ryan has spent countless hours making the changes required to transition to the new format and has done a beautiful job. He surprised me with images of my work I didn't know I had, along with videos and all kind of information about me on the internet that I had no earthly idea was out there. I must be one of the luckiest moms in the world to have a son willing to spend this kind of time to set me up and teach me what to do next. Of course this is ongoing, but what an exciting journey it has been for the two of us to get to know each other as adults! What is to special is that he has had the patience to teach me to fish and not just given me the fish. I must say that I am astonished at how much I have learned!!! I can hardly believe that I now know to resolve many problems I would have had to ask Ryan to fix for me only a few short months ago.
My appreciation extends to include my daughter in law, Jen, who had to entertain my two precious grandchildren Lily and Charlie so Ryan and I could work on the changes... Thank you Lily and Charlie for the time your dad gave to me to help give me a leg up in this world where technology rules and those over a certain age are challenged.
On my end I also want to thank Roger and our two dogs, Rosie and Jaz for their patience when Ryan and I were at work long distance on my computer. I love all of you starting with Teresa and Lesley who all played a part in getting the ball rolling toward the new look. Lastly, I'd like to sincerely thank all of you who have written to encourage me. Your support has helped me keep going though at times I wondered if anyone noticed...
I hope you enjoy the new website and blog formats. Please feel free to send me a message through the "Contact Me" section or by email with any feedback you might have on either the website or things you might like me to include in the blogs. I truly value your opinions.
I am going to post this but look for the next post on "From the Studio" with more details about what I hope to offer and accomplish with that blog.
Thanks everyone but most of all, I thank you Ryan...
Alice