​SOUTHERN EXPOSURE
​-SUBMITTED WORK AND STATEMENTS BY MISSISSIPPI ARTISTS
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"My name is Mackenzie Ritchie. I am a legally blind artist from Brookhaven. I am able to see shapes and colors but not a lot of details. I embrace it and work with this by using the colors of the piece and the emotion behind these colors in order to create my work."

​1. Understand that making art is a process, not a destination
The first step to overcoming your doubts is to understand that making art is a process, not a destination. It's about the journey, not the destination. There will be ups and downs, but the important thing is to keep moving forward.

2. Don't compare yourself to others
Comparison is the thief of joy. When you compare your work to others, you're only setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead, focus on your own journey and what you want to achieve.

3. Remember that everyone starts somewhere
Everyone has to start somewhere. The great thing about art is that it's a never-ending learning process. So even if you feel like you're starting from scratch, remember that everyone was in your shoes at some point.

4. Practice makes perfect
The only way to get better at making art is to practice. A lot. Make time for it every day, even if it's just for 30 minutes. The more you practice, the more confident you'll become in your abilities.

5. Embrace your unique perspective
One of the best things about art is that it's a way to express your unique perspective on the world. Embrace what makes you different and use it to your advantage.

Remember to be kind to yourself, and be kind to others!
​- D

​SOUTHERN EXPOSURE
​-SUBMITTED WORK AND STATEMENTS BY MISSISSIPPI ARTISTS
Would you like to be featured? Find out More HERE

"​Tonia Grantham was born and raised in Mississippi where her creativity was fueled at a young age while growing up in the piney woodlands of Rankin County. Having taken all the art classes that high school and Hinds Community College had to offer, she joined a studio class taught by Dianne Norman in 1994 where she fell head-over-heels in love with the pastel medium. After Tonia married and moved to Memphis a few years later to begin a new job and start a family, she joined Anne Enoch’s studio class which gave her flexibility while raising her children. During that time, she developed an impressionistic style painting animals and landscapes inspired by her home, garden, travel, and love of the piney woods where she spent her younger years. She has painted commissions for clients and contributed t-shirt designs for various causes including breast cancer and ovarian cancer awareness. Tonia currently resides back in Mississippi with her family in the quaint town of Booneville where she paints from her home studio affectionately called, The Little Art Room."