Meet Azurah Hays

We were lucky to catch up with Azurah Hays recently and have shared our conversation below.

Azurah, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

I have learned that being comfortable taking up space has single-handedly helped me be successful in spaces where I am the only Black woman. When I stopped hyper-focusing on the fact that oftentimes I am the only one who looks like me, I noticed that I had more energy to put towards my craft. Thus, causing me to see more improvement and essentially, more success.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

What do I do? In short, everything! I am always seeking to learn more and more throughout my creative journey. I started painting when I was just a child. My grandparents bought me my very first set of brushes, watercolors, and an easel. I will never forget the day I walked into the house and saw it. I was at that easel almost the whole entire day. In the following days, my grandfather taught me how to sign and date my work, and to never throw any of my works away so that I could always see my progress. He would tell me, “You never know, these may be worth money one day.”
Shortly after I found my refuge in papers and paints, I found peace in writing. I used to ask both of my grandparents to make me “books” which consisted of either construction paper, or printer paper and I would fill them with stories.
Lastly, my photography. I was about thirteen when I first had the interest to take photos. Not of myself like most teenagers, but of the world around me. I took them on my iPod Touch at the time and on my cellphone. And I remember Christmas of that year, my parents got me my very first camera. I took pictures of everything! The sky, the clouds, the grass, the roses we had in our backyard at the time. And when I would go to my grandparents’ house every week, or break from school, I would take pictures of their house, because the way my Nana decorated has always been so beautiful to me. I took pictures of her cooking, of my childhood dog Ariel, of the tree they had in their backyard with red spikes, and my personal favorite, the wall covered in ivy on the back patio. I still have some of those photos! Eventually my dad bought me my first DSLR camera, a Canon Rebel T6. My true pride and joy. I started taking photography more seriously then, that’s truly when my freelance journey started. I took that camera up to Norcal and took beautiful, beautiful photos of everything I could. I even sold a few! I have taken hundreds of action shots for my little brother, throughout his journey on the soccer field, as well as for my sister. And I’ve done some spontaneous shoots as well and hope to do more this year.
Creating is truly my therapy. When I was struggling with my confidence I found something beautiful and drew my inspiration from that, and in doing that, it helped me find the peace and beauty I have within. All of the art I produce is a reflection of how I feel. I have such a strong tie to the pieces I complete, so much so that oftentimes I struggle putting them up for sale. However, I put love and healing in everything I produce and feel blessed I get to share that with the world. It’s an honor to have my works hanging in homes of people in my community.
I plan to develop a website later on this year for the viewing and purchasing of my works, as I feel that having just an Instagram is a bit restrictive. My goal is to keep my price point attainable and fair, as I believe that art is a luxury everyone is entitled to, and it should be attainable to all.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three qualities that were the most impactful to my journey include the following:
1. Self Validation
There were times on this journey where I heard the most discouraging things from the closest people around me. That only certain people could be artists and be successful, etc. I learn very early on not to seek outside validation. Art is not one size fits all. We have all heard the saying “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” Someone somewhere will receive and understand your message. But what matters the most is if you understand your own message, see the beauty within your own creation, and value your abilities. Create from within, your art will reach who it is meant to.
2. Repetition
The more i repeated a method or a technique, I saw consistent progress. Seeing that consistent progress fueled my motivation and rove me to create more and more. I encourage an artists just starting out to keep going. It’s okay if your lines aren’t perfect, or if your hands are a little shaky. It’s okay that your piece didn’t turn out exactly how you envisioned it. Do it again, and again, and again, until you do. have patience with yourself, and love your own process. It’s not a race!
3. Relentlessness
Don’t stop. The answer “No” is not rejection, oftentimes it’s protection. The opportunities that are meant for you, will find you at the perfect time. Do not ever give up. And business being slow means nothing about the quality of your gift. You were chosen to create for a reason!

If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?

The only particular challenge I am facing breaking into the art world in person. I have an Instagram, I’m developing a website, which I’m completely grateful for, but I would love to do an art show, possibly even another pop up! My ultimate goal is or my works to be shown in a gallery, but short+term I’d love more in person outreach and collaboration.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @artbyazvrah
• Youtube: azurah tv

Image Credits

@artbyazvrah is the creator and owner of all images uploaded.