Earlier this year when I attended Kentucky Crafted: The Market, two kind gentlemen introduced themselves to me and asked me to talk about my art a little bit. Over the years, I have become comfortable engaging the folks who come into my booth and I am actually delighted to talk about my love of making my work. For a person who works from home, it can be quite fun to have people peek into your little world.

As it turns out, these fellows, Bob Shrader and Matt Hilton produce a show which airs on KET (Kentucky Educational Network), locally, and RFD-TV, nationally. It is called Bluegrass and Backroads. When Bob and Matt asked if I would be interested in having them come to my studio to film a segment, I shuddered on the inside. While flattered by the offer, on-camera interviews terrify me. Something just happens when fancy lights come on and red buttons flash. It’s not a good look for me, my mind goes blank. I asked if I could think about it. I knew it would be so stupid to turn them down but the thought of doing it made me die a little on the inside. They took my information and a business card. As soon as they left the booth, my husband looked at me like I was crazy, then said, “You have to do it. You know you have to do it.” Always the voice of reason, (and…I knew I had to do it), I chased Bob & Matt down, gave them the thumbs up, told them I was in and tried to choke down the nerves.

Last Thursday, Bob and Matt came to my home studio to interview me and watch me work on my art. Of course, as soon as the lights came on, I got really nervous. The kind of nervous that makes your voice shaky and crack a little. The kind of nervous that makes you forget all about the things you should have said or the cool things you could have told. But after talking to them a while, things evened out & I think they got a good interview. PLUS, they’ll edit it all down to about six of my best minutes. I think I did six good minutes at least! And thankfully, Matt took pictures throughout the day. I’m happy to have them to document this occasion! And I’m happy I chased them down and said yes!

Sometimes you have to do things outside of your comfort zone.

And so, the day before Bluegrass & Backroads showed up in West Liberty to film, I erased the Prince quote from my porch chalkboard and changed it to this. For Me. For you if you need it.

“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud, was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” -Anais Nin

Pics from the filming! Thanks so much to Matt Hilton for taking these.

Bluegrass & Backroads, presented by Kentucky Farm Bureau, will air in the fall. Check back for an announcement for the specific air date.