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Churchill Downs – Home of the Kentucky Derby

January 21, 2012 By

Churchill Downs in located in Louisville Kentucky.  The original property was owned by Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. and leased in 1874.  There were former 2 closed race courses in Louisville.  This location was ideal, beside the railroad, for easy horse transport.

The track was nearly 2 miles, but shortening the track to 1.25 miles or 2km and adding the signature spires, brought the location to the forefront of racing standards.  The public adored the signature event that was the first Saturday in May.  The world focuses it’s attention on women’s fashion (especially the hats) and the championship race horses.  This event is marked with history, pomp and circumstance.

The track is used nearly year-round, including the running of the Kentucky Oaks, concerts, food events, training sessions, educational classes and hundreds of other horse races.

You can buy this item at the Kentucky Derby Museum Gift Shop for $ 32.00 plus tax and shipping.

Brenda Priest
Your Door & More

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Question: Have you ever drawn animals?

January 15, 2012 By

Never for the main subject of a drawing only an added detail.

This large home in Preston, had a family dog that was 16 years old. He was on his second round of chemo and it was a lost cause. The vet recommended euthanasia. The yellow lab was depicted in his younger years, as the owner needed to remember a happier time with “Freddy”.These deer were a sore subject for this home owner. Living on a large piece of land in West Virginia, he adored the deer, grazing in the field at dawn and dusk. The deer also adored his prize rosebushes. When his daughter commissioned this birthday present for her Father, she wanted to be sure I added the deer, it was a love/hate relationship.A historic barn is not a real barn until it has an animal in it. The Sears property in Cary had a historic barn for nearly 100 years. This barn housed a many horses, all descendants of the original Ghostbuster. This barn was scheduled to be demolished. The owner, Bill Sears, my former employer, was building an assisted living facility on the property and needed to make way. He used the image for family Christmas cards for 2 year and now has a forever image of Ghostbuster and his barn.As soon as I say Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, the first thing that comes to mind is HORSES. I had to draw some racing jockeys mounted on their steeds as they round the first corner of the track. This banner is for sale at the store on-site for Churchill Downs.I am not opposed to sketching animals, it is just not my passion. Have some GREAT referral partners for that, Ingrid Beckman (pencil & pastel), and Jennifer Varela(oil & pastel).

Brenda Priest
Your Door & More

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Your Door & More is now the Artist in Residence for NHVRy!

February 2, 2010 By

Brenda Priest, owner of Your Door & More, custom pen & ink illustration, has been selected Artist in Residence for New Hope Valley Railway and North Carolina Railroad Museum. She has donated an illustration of the #17 Steam locomotive engine. The NHVRy will be using the image for promotional items and as an image to etch on glassware.

Read more on her blog post at www.yourdoorandmore.com

Brenda Priest
Your Door & More
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A History Lesson in Fuquay-Varina

January 23, 2010 By

I love to drive through any town and look a the renovated old homes. Fuquay-Varina is a town right next to mine and is very beautiful Craftsman Style homes.


While researching Fuquay-Varina, found out that William Fuquay’s great-grandson found a natural spring that was touted to be mineral water with healing properties. Word spread and many came from road and rail to “take the waters’ and its healing qualities. Local businesses catered to these tourists in the newly named Fuquay Springs. During the Civil War, many local southern ladies wrote to troops, to boost morale, one of these was Virginia Avery or ‘Varina’ She fell in love with the local school master JD Ballentine. The nearby business district was named Varina. Road improvements and automobile travel to the coast started the decline on the springs. In 1963 Fuquay Springs and Varina combined to create the present-day Fuquay-Varina. The strange name is often mispronounced, Fuquay-Varina (pronounced /ˈfjuːkweɪvəˈriːnə/).


I was delighted when my good friend Julie moved into a renovated home. As a housewarming gift, I illustrated note cards for her. On the day I stopped in to help unpack the kitchen, I gave her an IOU for cards. I did a ‘drive-by photography session’ and snapped the pix. Delivered the finished cards , she is so excited!


When you need a housewarming gift, think of Your Door & More to fill the bill; note cards, greeting cards or a framed illustration of the home can be perfect! The history lesson is free.


Brenda Priest
Your Door & More

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Is Your 10-second pitch ready for Networking?

January 21, 2010 By

You just never know when your networking encounter will pay off. Glad I made my 10-second pitch and handed out a business card and brochure!


Southern Roast Coffee in Holly Springs, hosts our area group. The first meeting was 2 months ago. There were 20 or so people there, some I knew from other networking venues others I have seen their profiles on Inside919, others were new faces. In situations like this you push yourself to meet some new faces, exchange business cards and find a common interest.


I met John Carmenate of Realty World on Salem Street in Apex, North Carolina. Our interaction was casual, we exchanged business cards and commented that we both live in the same Subdivision in Holly Springs. We moved on to other people. The event ended and I made some notes on the back of his business card. It helps me remember when and where we met. The card was filed in my business card book I keep at my desk for reference.


I was at my desk one afternoon and John called. At first I did not recognize him, but he explained we had met at Inside919. It rang a bell in my head. He had sold a home to a family and wanted to give them a thank you gift, as he was the buying agent. We decided on a framed and matted 5″ x 7″ home portrait. The new homeowners will forever have a memento of this purchase.


You just never know when and where you will meet your client. Glad I took the time to make an impression on him. I had my 10-second pitch ready of what Your Door & More can do for him as a Real Estate Agent. Do you have your 10-second pitch ready?


Brenda Priest
Your Door & More

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Ben Franklin saved me!

January 17, 2010 By

Ben Franklin has saved my business!



What does Benjamin Franklin have to do with pen & ink illustrations? Time management.



I am in the unique position, as a solo-preneur, that all is done by me. The marketing, materials purchase, client acquisition, sales, production, delivery and the financials. All in a 6 hour day, minus the running to and from networking events. The traditional way of handling an over-abundance of work has been to simply drop out of networking events. i complete the work, then there is no more work, as I have not been networking. That all had to end. I am working well into my third year of business. That is not a way to run a small business, profitably.



In comes Mr. Ben Franklin. Looking at a page from one of his many books, you can clearly see that he was a huge proponent of allocating so many hours to work, rest, dining and reflection. He also asked himself, “What good have I done?” That is a huge question to ponder while falling asleep.



I am dividing my day into set blocks of time, using my http://e.ggtimer.com/ as a check, to keep me on track. I use Google Calendar. I can share my calendar with my husband and daughter. I have categories of YD&M, Family, Personal and other. We all know who is where and it can be accessed from my Android Smart Phone.



Well, Mr. Franklin, you were a Founding Father of your Country, an Inventor, a Printer and saved Your Door & More!



Brenda Priest

Your Door & More
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Your Door & More Artist Reception & Gallery Display

January 17, 2010 By

Holly Springs NC – Brenda Priest of Your Door & More in Holly Springs, NC will display classic pen & ink illustrations of local historic sites, such as the New Hope Valley Railway/North Carolina Railroad Museum (NHVRy) locomotive steam engine #17 and areas homes, at Java Divine beginning September 11, 2009. The gallery showing kicks off with a free to the public artist’s reception on September 11, 2009 from 6:00PM – 8:00PM: work will be on display through the first week in October. Opening night coincides with Art After Dark, a local arts movement aimed at increasing awareness of area artists that is held on the second Friday of each month.

Attendees of the September 11th artist’s reception will have the opportunity to talk with the artist, Brenda Priest, and should be sure to register for the drawing of an 8” x 10” custom illustration donated by Your Door & More. Free beverages will be served.

· Free Reception, Gallery Opening at Java Divine September 11th from 6-8PM.
· Your Door & More displays custom pen & ink illustrations of local businesses and homes.
· Never before seen Illustration of locomotive engine # 17 for the New Hope Valley Railway.
· Enter to win a free 8” x 10” illustration.
· Art After Dark sponsored event.
· Local Holly Springs artist, Brenda Priest’s, first public art showing.

Quotes:
“I am so excited to be showing my work in my hometown so all my friends, associates and family can see what I really do when I say ‘pen-and-ink illustration,’” said Priest. “Plus, seeing my work hung where I get my coffee will be a thrill. It’s going to be a fantastic evening!”

About Your Door & More:
Your Door & More helps you share the joy and excitement of owning a home by providing personalized pen-and-ink illustrations of your door, front porch or home. These high-end, detailed illustrations are ideal for use as framed artwork, customized moving announcements, or holiday greeting cards. The artist, Brenda Priest, has been illustrating with pen-and-ink for more than 12 years and has recently been commissioned to illustrate work for the New Hope Valley Railway, The Mims House in Holly Springs, and Holly Grove Elementary School. For more information, or to schedule in-home appointments, visit the Your Door & More website at www.yourdoorandmore.com or e-mail brenda@yourdoorandmore.com.
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Can you be a Mentor to a young person?

January 16, 2010 By

Have you ever considered being a Mentor to a young person in your field? Think of all the skills you have learned in your networking and career building!

I have had the fortune of having TWO women in my life that have help me in my career. They saw a small glimmer of talent in me. Took me under their wing and guided me along. One hired me for a job without much skill. She trained me and taught me how to do things like her. Over time, I developed my own style and now I am out on my own. I am not in competition with her for jobs, for what we do is different but have I ever really thanked her for what she has done for me? Yes, she paid me and she made money off of me, but it was not in an uncaring fashion, she was really teaching me. She became my boss, mentor then finally friend.

The second woman struggled to start her business in a time when women did not have businesses in Raleigh. The Old Boys network was king. She fought her way and is now at the top, able to pick and choose her work. Not that she does not struggle with business, I think everyone does, but its smoother sailing now. She again saw a unique something in me and my work and gave me a leg up with some free PR and connections. I distinctly recall in the initial meeting with her, my job was to help another ‘woman’ and be a mentor to her too!

What can you do to help another? Can you train someone, not to take over your business but give them a hand? Teach them a skill? Share your knowledge of your field?

I am looking for that ‘special someone’ that I will help someday, are you?

Brenda Priest
Your Door & More
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Posture!

January 15, 2010 By

Today I found myself slouching as I sat at the computer, then at my drawing table as I was illustrating a home.

A few years ago, I was drawing 4-5 hours a day. My neck, shoulders and arms ached. I consulted my doctor. She said it was repetitive task syndrome, she quickly wanted to prescribe pills to fix it, with side-effects too! It was not too bad to self-repair with stretching, reminding myself of the correct way to sit, hold my pen and neck, and some super MASSAGE! Now I have a better posture when doing my illustration work, typing on the computer, and other daily tasks I do.

I often see my Husband and Children at the breakfast bar or on the couch with the laptop, slouching, typing away, while there is a perfectly good desk, keyboard tray and task chair in the office. I try to correct them and remind of computer posture, this is only taken nagging.

We all have the bad habits that we need to be aware of. I am in my 40′s now. I don’t want to be crippled when I’m in my 70′s or even 80′s!

Think about your posture now, are your legs tucked under your bottom? Have you gotten up in the last 20 minutes to stretch your arms, neck and back? How about those eyes, look away now and again, refocus on something far away! Your body will appreciate it!

Brenda Priest
Your Door & More
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Cary Chamber Winner!

January 14, 2010 By

We have a winner of the Cary Chamber of Commerce February Follies!



‘Join us for the “February Follies” Car Raffle & Auction. Hundreds of items to bid on during our silent auction, followed by the car raffle beginning at 7. Don’t miss out on one of our biggest nights of the year!’



I offered an illustration to be raffled off. The lucky winner contacted me and I drew this beautiful illustration of their home in Fuquay-Varina.



I attended the event, and what an event it was! Hosted by Prestonwood Country Club, there was table hors d’oeuvre, beer, wine and dessert. I bid on quite a few things. I won a Cookie Lee gift certificate, a 2 night stay at a hotel, and solar string lights. Great night had by all!
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