Saying goodbye to September (solo show closing and next up)...
The days and weeks leading up to my solo show in August were filled with long hours of painting, many emails and posts, lots of lists and to-do's, and many hours of coordination. Months in advance, I talked with the band and they agreed to play for the event (they are THE coolest friends). ❤️ I decided to skip the charcuterie this time and went with macarons and the gallery graciously offered to provide wine and host a bar for the evening, which was wonderful!
Opening night fell on the First Thursday Art Walk in Pioneer Square, which is perfect, as it is one of the liveliest nights in Seattle, with streets crowded with art lovers and venues filled with local creatives and their offerings. It was a perfect day: sunny, but not too hot, which bode well for getting folx into the gallery that night.
I had finished the last of the paintings only a week before and walked it down to the gallery to be hung alongside the other 20+ works that I'd already delivered. Cutting it close!! 😅
Doors opened at 5pm, and I had arrived early to help out and was excited to greet some early arrivals who wandered in. The rest of the night seemed to pass in a blur- I played a full set with the band, chatted with friends and guests, did quite a lot of people watching, and resisted the urge to be a wallflower. I know I'm in a band and love to share art, but the introvert in me would LOVE to just sit on the sidelines and observe most of the time. ✨
It was super gratifying to hear we had 700+ people through the doors that night and eight paintings sold- both setting new records, according to the gallery owner! I think I floated home in a daze.
I thought, perhaps, I'd need a break from the painting frenzy after that, but I was even more motivated to keep working on the series that I'd begun, filled with small creatures, green growing things, and the occasional figure to adorn the muted, textured backgrounds.
I have since finished three more paintings and have several in various stages of completion. Such a joy to be so inspired and I am soooo looking forward to the next solo show! Meanwhile, I'm stoked to be a part of the this year's ACES Expo & Symposium and to have my art up at Nepantla Gallery this October!
As ever, I stay busy learning and hopefully growing as an artist, challenging myself and practicing daily. It's not the easiest road, and at times I question my sanity, lol, but I've never been so happy or so sure of the choices that led me here. Thank you for sharing this journey with me- it means the world and I am forever thankful.
With gratitude,
Becca