Libraries, Galleries, and Cafés, Oh My!

Last week I had a somewhat new experience.  I was fortunate to have several of my new ink art pieces accepted into local art exhibitions, which was very exciting!  I say it is a somewhat new experience, because I had some digital pieces accepted 10 years ago.  This felt a lot different, as this art was original from start to finish, it didn’t have my photography as a base.

 Any introvert who is forcing themself to put their art out there can imagine some of my feelings.  I tried to maintain an excited state and just enjoy the experience of having my art selected.  There were, however, momentary surges of anticipation that one of the pieces might sell.  I didn’t expect anything to sell, but I couldn’t quite quell those thoughts.  They are all being displayed for approximately a month, so there is still that possibility. 

 For the law of attraction to work, one must maintain the emotional state of the experience they want to have.  Thus, my excited state for being selected should attract more such experiences.  I could argue that maintaining the excitement a sale would generate could attract an actual sale.  I struggled between committing to that vibration and not wanting to set myself up for disappointment.  That is where I was not successful in actuating that particular law.  Now, I am well aware that had I maintained the high excited state of a sale, a sale may very well not have transpired at that particular time.  I am also well aware that not maintaining that vibration had nothing to do with not having a sale.  Nothing is guaranteed of course, ever.  I am trying to maintain the emotional state of how I would feel being a popular, well-paid artist with lots of collectors.  Overall, that is a state I can maintain and will account for all the things I would love to experience.

Each of the exhibitions had an opening reception.  Did I mention the introvert part?  Perhaps surprisingly, I wasn’t that bothered by being around other people in a relatively small space.  I was there for a wonderful reason, and to be honest, my work was completely on par (at least) with all the other art.  Not every piece was in a style I find attractive, but I am in no way an art connoisseur or collector.  I found something to admire in most of the work displayed.  In all three exhibitions, I was the only ink artist.

The first exhibit is in an art studio/café combination.  My granddaughter takes art lessons there, and the art is on display in the café where they have open mic nights and other events.  This was the smallest in both the number of artworks and space size.  Everyone who was there was either one of the artists displaying or people who came with them, not any of what I would call “the public.”  I was able to talk to a few people but there wasn’t a lot of mixing going on.  Fortunately, it only lasted an hour.  Also fortunately, my daughter Shannon and my best friend and assistant Charlene were there with me, so I could talk to them!  It was nice to see that even though my art was overpriced according to me, it was nowhere near the most expensive piece on the wall.

The second opening was a “First Night” at the Library of Virginia.  They have quarterly art exhibits for Virginia based art (and probably Virginia artists, though I don’t know that for sure.)  I had made my submission expressly for this theme, which was “Virginia Stories: Flora and Fauna.”  Right up my alley!!  My bluebird with sunflowers and daisies in front of the rolling hills of western Virginia fit right in.  I was told that over 185 submissions competed for 30 spots, so I felt very honored to have been chosen. 

This exhibit was placed in the grand lobby of the city block sized library.  There was plenty of room for everyone, and though there were several artists in attendance, I believe there were some “public” peoples there too.  They had an origami making station and poetry readings.  I was hoping for a larger turnout, but again, these were new experiences, especially in non-traditional exhibitions, and I didn’t really know what to expect.  Both Thursday and Friday night I felt extremely overdressed, but that is not unusual for me.  Charlene, my faithful sidekick, was there with me.  I was spoken to again, with questions about my process, by people who knew which art was mine because they dropped off art at the same time.  It occurs to me now that I never feel compelled to speak to anyone about their art.  That’s not completely true, but it was that night.  Charlene and I tried to make some origami, then went to have a well-deserved dinner.  The 3-hour long reception was pretty empty about an hour and a quarter in.

On Saturday we had the opening reception at the Rawls Museum Arts.  This was the one I most looked forward to.  They had selected 3 pieces of mine, and I was hoping for a more “reception” like experience.  I’m pleased to report that it was awesome!  There were a lot of people filling the fairly large gallery.  The museum is well supported and also, there was a lot of art.  It is mostly artists that attend these things, with whoever is there to support them. 

Shannon and Charlene were once again there to support me, and we enjoyed looking at all the art.  Because it was a floral theme, they had the art arranged around the gallery wall as a rainbow effect of color.  That meant that my non-color pieces were first!  I wore a black and white patterned suitcoat over a black dress so I kind of “matched” my art.  Two delightful, younger artists both thought that was amazing and spoke to me.  I enjoyed talking to each of them and looking at their awesome art.  I can be friendly and engaging if I really try, lol.

So now after this whirlwind of art openings, I’m feeling rather exhausted.  So much peopling!!  There is nothing like seeing your art displayed with other amazing art and realizing that someone thought your attempts measured up!  I’m submitting to another gallery before the end of the month.  I’ll let you know how it goes!!