We had the good fortune of connecting with Annie Loyd and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Annie , do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
That’s the million dollar question.. You bought the tent and the panels…a couple thousand in equipment or art needs. Join an art group like the Art Alliance, and start showing what you love, and love to do. What if a few years pass, and still not the sales you would have expected? The question is: Why am I still doing my art? Is it to sell or because You love doing it. Maybe you need to sell it because there isn’t enough room in your home to keep it all. My suggestion is to keep watching what people are drawn to at an art event, then expand it. Everything sells. Someone will love it and take it home and treasure what you created. That’s why you keep going and learning and getting better.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Wow, you could write a book on this question…I think there are a few. But personally the hardest task was finding the time or energy to be creative when your working for someone else. Then there are all the other distractions in life that pull you. Off and on and sometimes years of no art or photography. My retirement has given me the time to create and the people around me are supportive and many buy my art. I hope it is because they love it, but I know they support my dreams in many ways too.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This area and Arizona is diverse and so are my friends. Camping in the White Mountains or visit to the Grand Canyon. Prescott with its Western charm and Sedona with its magic. But if they are city folk we have Phoenix and sophistication. Music, Art and Theatre..

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh I have a best friend who is a Professional Photographer named Joanne West. She saw my water colors and told me to go for it and that I have talent. Then she helped me with Organizations like the Artists of the Superstition to show what I do. Then encouraged and educated me in Photography as well. I could have paid for the classes I have had over the years. Without someone like that to help and encourage it would be almost impossible.

Image Credits
Ann O. Loyd