We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Audra May Crawford . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Audra May below.

Hi Audra May , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

I mean, I could write an entire book here, truly. My parents are both such strong inspirations to me. They worked really hard to give me such a full and balanced childhood. My absolute love for Florida, which influences so much of my art, is owed to the sunny Florida childhood I was blessed to grow up with. I’m talking Dad squeezing fresh orange juice from the fruit in the tree in our backyard on Saturday mornings, beach staycations in the summer with the buzzing neon lights on the strip, weekends biking the Pinellas trail, orange blossom perfume from a shop in the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks. There’s so much more. They really fostered such a love for where I lived and that love is reflected in all of my art work. My mother is just magical. An alchemist. My entire life I saw her make beautiful, wonderful things out of nothing. This part of her has always inspired my art journey and my entire life journey. My need to make the surroundings around me more beautiful no matter what is going on is because that is what she always did for me. The world could have been falling down around me and I never knew it because of her. It propels me forward to create happiness and share my journey with the world. They also were really confident in themselves and who they were. There wasn’t any “keeping up with the Joneses” or trying to fit in. Some of the best advice my parents gave me was “Some people aren’t going to like you and that’s ok.” I think they really got that right. It took awhile but just seeing them keep their blinders on and be laser focused on their own success, I really don’t look around and see competition. I’m just where I am and I’m happy there. I love what I have and try to be a good steward of my things and gifts. It makes me a better artist and maker to live in the now and not try to keep up with what anyone else has or what they’re doing,
One of the best gifts my mother gave me was teaching me to channel my negative energy into a creative process. When I was 18, I had just gotten my own apartment, alone. I sort of slipped into a melancholy blah. I remember my mom welcoming me back home for a few weeks and together we worked on some art pieces for my apartment and hand painted a vanity that she had either thrifted or saved from the curbside years before. She really pushed me to finish it with her and be creative. That was over 16 years ago now. I don’t think she knew it at the time and I certainly didn’t…but this was her magic. Turning something negative into something joyful and special. Moving that energy into a creative outlet and making something out of nothing. That vanity is what I paint and create on to this day! Which I think is very cool. I don’t think I’d be painting still if it weren’t for my parents, especially my mom. I think as children we forget our parents are trying their best and are growing up too. They get a lot right. Sometimes we have to dig deeper to find those things and apply them to our lives. These things were easy for me to recall because they influence all of my art business and my life. I have a lot to thank my parents for.

Audra May , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Audra May Crawford of Audra Crawford Fine Art. I specialize in loose floral focused artwork, one-of-a-kind hand painted hats, hand painted home decor, and I currently have a small selection of apparel focused on embracing the GOOD WEIRD! I am open for commission pieces for artwork and floral Hand-painted hats but especially love painting wedding bouquets! It’s such a special way to create an heirloom piece for your family to enjoy for generations. I can paint a bouquet from photos so it also makes a unique gift for a loved one (or yourself.)
My artistic style is loose and I use vibrant contrasting color stories to create statement and conversation pieces. I keep my art work affordable because I whole heartedly believe that original art work should be accessible to more than just the highest earning income levels.
I want people to feel a connection to my work that ignites happiness and joy when they see it. My purpose is to bring more beauty and light into the world. I pray for my work to be the conduit of those feelings to anyone that checks my art work out!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

SHOP SMALL! Check out the local markets in your area! That’s where I sling most of my smaller works and my heart fills with such absolute happiness just seeing the people coming out to support small biz’s and artists, creatives, and makers! And because social media is such a huge part of most creatives’ and artists’ livelihoods now, engaging online with comments and shares goes such a long way.
And PLEASE head out to local art shows, support galleries, and buy the weird art. There’s so much richness there. So much to learn. It’s truly just the most delicious soul food. Get involved in these events and shows. Your presence matters!

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I totally need to know more about NFTs. The general vibe I get is people are either 100% on board or think it’s a waste of time. I’m really unsure! I haven’t dabbled and I’m not like a digital creator…I don’t know I guess I’m really showing how much I don’t know now, haha. I’m a huge supporter of just letting people enjoy what they enjoy and love what they love. If artists love making NFTs then I love it for them too! I hope they’re totally successful doing it!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.audracrawford.com
• Instagram: audracrawfordfineart