In the meantime…Let’s Catch Up! (Again)

                                          My First Solo Show is now in the Books!  

It has been over a year since I’ve posted in my blog and so much has happened!   I left off after I developed my first Series. I had switched from painting in oils to painting with acrylics and mixed media. And I started painting abstractly. Since I really knew next to nothing about abstract painting, I found some online workshops to help me learn. When I felt like I knew enough I signed up for my first in-person workshop in New Orleans at PaintSpace NOLA, in May 2023. I feel like I found a goldmine there. I have since returned many times for instruction from excellent abstract artists. After about 18 months of daily painting, applying what I had learned, and developing my own style, I finally felt confident enough to show my new work. I was offered a Solo Show by Kim & Mark White at The Gallery of Art 850, in July 2024.

It is amazing how life works out. You see, I used to own that same Gallery, and I gave many Solo Shows for other artists. However, my gallery, which I named The Artist Cove.Studio. Gallery, was destroyed by a CAT-5 hurricane in 2018, Hurricane Michael. So I feel as if it was meant to be, me having my first show there. The show was a success, I had a great turnout and sold lots of paintings.

Another “first” for me, was to give an Artist Talk during my Solo Show. I decided to talk about why I started painting abstractly. After the horrible hurricane that destroyed our town, our homes and our businesses, we struggled for 2-3 years to get back to normal. When we finally got to move back into our home, after living in an RV, I no longer had any desire to paint “within the lines.” It’s hard to explain, and may be hard to understand, but I just wanted to throw paint down without any thought or direction. To truly express all my pent-up emotions. And that’s what I did. After awhile I knew I needed some guidance and that’s when I went looking for abstract instructors.

Next in my Artist Talk, I shared my actual process of making an abstract painting. I had brought along some of my supplies, huge brushes, scrapers from a hardware store, skewers from the kitchen, paints, inks, pastels, charcoal. chalk…all kinds of fun stuff. I also brought a very large piece of blank canvas and everyone came up and tried their hand at freely making marks and painting! It was so much fun. I had quite a few people tell me that the experience really inspired them to try something creative.

Right before my Opening, like two days before, I got sick, really sick with my first attack of Covid! And so did Kim and Mark, the owners of the Gallery. Luckily, I had already brought my paintings to the gallery and they were hung. However, I had not seen them all together on the walls. We kept testing positive for Covid for about 8 days, despite treatment. I could hardly stand not going down there.

Once I felt better and was no longer shedding the virus, I had a Soft Opening with just my family. This was a last minute decision for me, and Mark opened up the gallery for us on a Sunday afternoon. I had over 60 paintings hanging on the walls, the walls of the gallery I used to own! It weird that I say this, as I’m not a boaster at all, but it was a glorious sight for me to behold! Over two years of my work, painting almost every single day, was right there before me. It was at that moment I knew I was an artist. I did not care if anything sold, but I did want people to see the work. And this was new for me. Previously I was not comfortable to even share my work on Social media, I did so reluctantly only for the ‘business-side,” so I could afford more paint! For some reason, that reluctance disappeared, and I wanted all my friends and family to come see! And they did! I am forever grateful for this.

One other thing I wanted to mention and we will be caught up. I was recently asked by a group of ladies to teach them an art class. I put together a beginner’s class that lasted for 6 weeks. We met once a week for a few hours. The ladies loved it. And teaching them gave me a warm fuzzy feeling. I felt like I was giving back, for all that I had been given in my art journey. For all the gracious instructors who gladly shared their skills and knowledge with me, it was time for the to do the same for others who were seeking to learn how to paint. Like the “pay it forward” method. What would we do without teachers, where would we be?

I’m not sure where this will lead me, but I have an open-mind and spirit when it comes to creativity. I am amazed at how the act of being creative has changed my life. It has opened my eyes to really seeing my surroundings, to noticing so many things that I previously passed right by. I see so much more beauty in ordinary, everyday life.

I am so appreciative of my time in my studio, my ability to create and the support I get from my family. I am grateful that I found my passion.

I sure hope you enjoyed my blog and catching up with my art journey. I thank you so much for reading it. You can continue to follow my journey by signing up for my Newsletter.