Meet Alan Vaughn of AJVaughn.com in Mesa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alan Vaughn.

Alan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I fell in love with art when I was very young and just started drawing anything of interest. Though I was never very good at most mediums, I discovered a talent for Pen and Ink Stippling and Photography in Junior High School. Over the years my simple skills grew enough that now I enjoy producing works in both mediums that I can share with others.

I use my photography to capture and chronicle many aspects of life and our surroundings. When I was young and in sports I never had the chance to see myself in action through photos. So one of my most enjoyable creative loves is to capture amateur athletes in non-mainstream sports like Disc Golf, Mountain Biking and share their images with them at no charge. I do sell images to publications to help pay for gas.

I also use these images and others of subjects like landscapes, city scapes, and animals to create Pen and Ink or the occasional Watercolor Works from. I rarely sell original works. I find greater pleasure in producing prints and selling them at an affordable cost. Some prints will be presented in sets or singularly for auctions to raise funds for a Dachshund Rescue here in the valley and other activities. I’m busier now as an artist and photographer than any other time in my life. I shoot Disc Golf tournaments including the Phoenix Ladies open and Memorial including Mountain Bike races around the state. My hard work in photography helped me land a spot shooting the Arizona Ironman for the past two years as an Official Photographer. This fulfilled my dream to be a Professional Sports Photographer.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My dream has always been to be an Artist and Photographer. But I’ve been realistic and pursued them as hobbies and paid the bills as a Quality Professional among other things over the years. So my ups and downs have been more a lack of time to dedicate myself to consistently learn, grow and develop skills that translate into potential professional growth. When opportunities have arisen the lack of professional training in art and/or photography has made it difficult to get past the first step to move on.

Over the past 2 decades I’ve been able to slowly spend more time and resources to improve myself, chase my dream and visually share my experiences, interests and subject matter with others interested in my work. To be honest, my biggest struggle to professional growth has been sticking with something and doing my best at it, including continued education. It wasn’t until later in life that I realized the missed opportunities that could have drastically improved my life if I’d only worked harder, studied harder and put myself out there for the world to see. A person must be themselves and be different to be the person and professional they want to be.

Please tell us about AJVaughn.com.
I’m a simple yet detail oriented artist and photographer. They are both more passions than profession. I work them as part time, semi=money making ventures to please my soul and share some of myself with others. I do freelance photography work and a great deal of it revolves around Disc Golf tournaments and Arizona Mountain bike Races with other events of various interests thrown into the mix. I personally love shooting the Tour de Fat bicycle event at Tempe Beach Park. The individuality of all the bicycle parade riders can be so inspiring. I’d have to say I’m proud of 3 accomplishments, being juried into the Arizona Artist Guild for my Pen & Ink works. A Cover photo and numerous inside photos for Disc Golfer Magazine over the past few years and shooting the bicycle and finish line sections of the Arizona Ironman for the past two years.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Of all my happy memories, my favorite would have to be spending time with my Dad in his shop learning how to make things. He taught me to be curious, creative and inspired by the joys of life. He created so many things and was an artist of simple skill who loved to draw birds.

Pricing:

• Original Pen and Ink works by consignment available.
• Some prints available for starting at $20 or for a donation to a specific animal rescue.
• Photography work available for unique, interesting and off-beat occasions or sports.

Contact Info:

• Address: 317 E. Marilyn Ave.
  Mesa, AZ 85210
• Website: http://www.ajvaughn.com/
• Phone: 480-200-0386
• Email: artisticcreator@hotmail.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alan.j.vaughn
• Other: https://www.flickr.com/photos/alanjvaughn/albums

Image Credit:
Alan James Vaughn, AJVaughn.com

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