I have already broken my self-made promise, it has been three months since I posted my first blog. September brought the joy and agony of a two person show. I appreciate the opportunity for these venues. There are never enough of them.
As an opening date approaches, the excitement dissolves into a phase of self questioning. Will the work be good enough? Will I have enough to cover the gallery space? Will anyone attend the opening, or purchase a piece?
The next question is, why even put myself through all of this? Why not just paint purely for my own pleasure? Why take the work out of the studio or house? I have not found the answers, but I feel the need to push forward, to grow in my craft. The reviews of my peers and gallery patrons matter. They facilitate and probably accelerate my journey. When the pressure is on, the work gets done. I do more than I think I can and that becomes self-perpetuating. Personal shows, like juried exhibits, are the vitamins of a creative path, sometimes a little difficult to swallow, but beneficial in the long run.
I send out my hear-felt appreciation to everyone who attended the opening and prevented me from standing there alone, and to those who made time visit the gallery during the show. To patrons who chose to give my creations a home, THANK YOU!