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

Hi Allyson, we’d love to start by asking you about lessons learned. Is there a lesson you can share with us?
My biggest lesson has been about finding balance. Managing my time is not something that has ever come natural to me. So when you mix in marriage, kids, and non business commitments with a heavy work load that you alone are solely responsible for across the board- you learn very quickly that balance is key. However, that balance is always shifting as I’ve needed to adapt to changes in life, making it a lesson that I keeping having to learn, haha! I guess the best way to phase it is that I’ve learned to make balancing business and personal life a top priority. Intentionally checking that not one or the other is being neglected, but recognizing that’s it’s okay to press pause on taking orders or commissions if I notice my family needs more of my attention, especially being in the season of having toddler aged boys.

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.
My art has changed drastically since starting in 2013. From modge podged picture frames, painted chalkboards, wood and metal signs scripted with anything the customer requested, to now painted personalized keepsake Bibles and figure paintings. It’s taken a long time to figure out creativity what is most fulfilling to me. I went through a phrase of wanting my business to grow, and making whatever I thought would be the best catalyst for that. Which success is never ever a bad thing to strive for, however, it’s incredibly difficult to achieve when you’re not inspired or have any passion for the pieces you make. So I decided I would just try whatever I was inspired by and see where I ended up. Which lead me to how incredibly personal keepsake Bibles are. Each person with their own story, resonating to the specific scriptures, lyrics or phrases asked for me to inscribe, tailored even more by the painted design. I am honored to make such personal pieces for someone as their way to remember their grandmother, a gift to remember ones wedding, a keepsake from a Godparent to a Godchild, etc. I only recently started to paint female forms after being inspired by other artists such as Mel Remmers and Brooke Knox. There’s such a freedom in painting from your own perspective, where there really is no right or wrong way. Just what you’re inspired by and how that translates on canvas. Changing my artistic style lead to my realization that keeping my business small and only accepting a certain amount of orders or commissions is what works best for me. It allows me to dedicate the time to really make each piece a labor of love, without becoming so overwhelmed with balancing my art and stay at home mom life that it drowns the joy I find in painting my pieces. I realized that people respond so much more to pieces that you pour your inspiration into. That sometimes it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. That inspiration ebbs and flows, and that’s okay. As to what I’d like the world to know of me and my work- I love Jesus and the blessing in representing others love for him through my Bibles, and celebrating the creativity he gave me through my journey of portrait paintings!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live way out, secluded in the country. So thinking of a full itinerary in the city is daunting! But my best friend and I are all about good food and good shopping. Barley and Board is always top on our list, and the food truck park is always a hit. My favorite burger so far has to go to Rodeo Goat. I could spend several days bouncing between the Goodwills, Denton antique mini malls and both Flea Styles. Ending with drinks and good music at House of Blues, that would be my ideal time! I’m still discovering new things in the city all the time, feeling as if I’ve only scratched the surface myself!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shout out, without a doubt, would go to my patience of a saint husband, Clayton. He’s never once tried to talk me down or out of any of my ideas. Not even when most of them kept him up late into the night crafting pieces, making booth set ups for me, or driving long ways after work hours for deliveries so I could stay home and either work on more orders or spend time with the our boys. He’s never questioned, only supported me anytime I’ve needed to press pause on business to either regroup, pause simply because I needed to focus on life at home, or didn’t know what I wanted to do because I’d become too overwhelmed in all aspects. He knows expressing my creativity and painting keepsake Bibles are important to me and has always made my priorities his priorities.

Instagram: @allyson_worley
Facebook: Allyson Worley

Image Credits
Shani Baird- Timeless Images