The After

The last few days have been bittersweet. September is in full swing, and I am finding it hard to believe that a whole month has passed since I  hung my first show.

This past Wednesday I took my paintings down from The Factory. I had some mixed emotions. A part of me felt super accomplished. I had a goal, I planned and set out to meet that goal, and I did. I feel like the leap of faith that I took to see "Only The Beginning" come to past, allowed me to know that I could accomplish virtually any goal that I set my mind to accomplish. Then a part of me was a little saddened. Something that I prepared years for was over. Yes...it was only the beginning, but that first phase was now over. I realized that it was time to prepare for the next thing. And that is exactly what I did.

A few weeks ago a dear friend's parent introduced me to a fellow artist. During my first visit to the Factory in July I sat across a gallery and watched this artist move about, not knowing that I would soon be meeting with her one on one.

Her name is Kimberly Camp. Her name may sound ordinary, but she is far from what one would call ordinary. She hails from a pretty prestigious arts foundation in Philadelphia called the Barnes Foundation (she served as their former CEO). She has a wealth of knowledge about her craft and the history and culture that surrounds the arts.

Yesterday I had the privilege of dropping off a few pieces of jewelry. I had sat with her a few weeks ago and she asked me to create a few pieces that would fit her audience. I put my big girl pants on and rose to the challenge. I hadn't sent her any pictures of the jewelry that I had created for her. So when I dropped them off yesterday, I had no real expectations except knowing that if they wouldn't sell there, they would sell somewhere.

Well...I am super happy to say that my jewelry is being sold in her gallery...Galerie Marie. She liked the pieces that I created and was confident that they would cater to her audience.

It's wild how an introduction can turn into something far more than imaginable. I am grateful for Mr. Ingraham, and looking forward to gleaning a plethora of information about my passion from Ms. Camp. I'm excited for this leg of the journey.

My gifts are truly making room for me, and taking me before great men!

Your Thoughts:
When is the last time you truly gave yourself over to your gifts and allowed them to take you before great men?

Until next time...

The Days After

I did it...certainly not alone, but I did it! The art show was a success!

I know I dropped the ball with posting a few fays before the show, but I was swamped! In addition to getting prepared for my show,  I was  looking for a job, rehearsing for an upcoming dedication week, and visiting with lots of family.  Oh and let's not forget working!

Saturday was simply amazing! I have support beyond my wildest dreams, and this is just the start! Not only did my local family and friends attend, but I had friends come from NY, MD, and North Jersey for my event. Sometimes we don't recognize how much we are loved, and if I didn't know by the end of Saturday night, then I will never know!

I sold, I was commissioned for a few pieces, and networked...networked...networked! Tom and Josh (the owners of the Factory) were super personable as usual, and made everything so fun and easy. Amy (Tom's wife) was so sweet. We chatted for a bit about life, family, the future of the Factory,  and my creative/art career. She looks forward to helping me on my journey, and I'm looking forward to soaking up any information that they have about business.

It's Monday now,  and the momentum can't stop! In the days to come I'll be sending out personal thank you notes to those that attended, and starting a database.  In the weeks to come I will be working on branding, marketing and advertising for a new project that I am resurrecting.  I will write a kickstarter proposal for this project. And in the months to come, I will be creating, writing, blogging, looking to have studio space, and networking out the wazoo.

I am blessed! I am fortunate to have this opportunity! I am loved beyond measure! I am experiencing life, and fulfilling purpose! Thank you for continuing on this ride with me! It is sure to get real live!

Your Thoughts:

Is it a sad, happy or indifferent feeling when you have completed an enormous task?

Until next time...

7 Days Left - A Solo Exhibition Trip

Day 7 is almost gone with the wind, and the best laid out plans sometimes go awry. We could either look at them as curses or blessing. This weekend and typically I look at them as blessings!

My family reunion has been cancelled, but I got to hang out with my adorable babies and much missed sister, my nana, and before the rest of the weekend is over I will hang out with more family.  So it has been a family reunion of sort, and I'm okay with that!

Tonight I went into the city for a few hours for a solo exhibition at the Philadelphia Sculpture Gym called "Flat As Hell". The exhibition was great! The artist, Jedediah Morfit had these wild depictions of ordinary and not so ordinary items that were made from mostly urethane plastic, paint, wood and nails. 

I was invited by one of my former UArts students by the name Jenny Welsh.  I knew that she created her work there (she's a sculptor artist), but I had no idea that she was second in command. I am super proud of her! An excellent woman and artist!

I met a few other artists from various backgrounds. I invited some that I had conversations with to my show next week. Some even knew about The Factory! I was in my element. I felt at home!

I needed to go, and I needed to do this one by myself. I needed to see how others conduct their shows. I needed to see how the artist moved about the crowd and talked about his pieces. I needed to see how others responded to his work. It was good. It was all good! I have a new confidence! I am surely on the right path...doing the right thing!

Your Thoughts:
When is the last time you felt confident about what you were created to do? What helped you to get there?

Until next time...

24 Days Left - Getting Invitations Out

It's day 24 and I can honestly say that I am getting much better at blogging on a daily basis. I've made up my mind that doing so everyday is what I am going to do, and I am committed to sticking to it. I thought I was going to run out of things to tell you all about, and then I remembered that life happens on a daily basis. Life is never really the same from one day to the next. We may have the same routine and run into some of the same people, but rarely is the conversations that we have with others or even ourselves exactly the same.

Blogging is the first thing on my agenda of things to do today. It's 5pm, I know. I had some massage therapy clients today, so this is the first time that I am able to sit down and get cracking on things for the art show.

The video shoot that I talked about yesterday went viral (FB & Twitter) last night. New Expressions created  a wonderful video! Check out the youtube link below! Thanks a million you all!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8HmsCXnl2PY

On my list of things to do this evening is to send out some invitations to the art show.   There are so many people that I would like to invite...including you of course :) I want to make sure that I don't forget anyone, although that may be inevitable. 

So here goes to sending out lots of invites tonight..starting with you! 

You are cordially invited to my first art show....

Only The Beginning

Where:

The Factory

13 Fern Avenue

Collingswood, NJ 08108

When:

Saturday, August 10th, 2013

Time:

6pm to 10pm

Cost:

FREE

*bring yourself, bring your friend, bring your friends friend...and their friends too :-)

I would love to see your beautiful faces in the place that evening! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section, and I will make sure that you get a swift answer!

Your Thoughts:

Scenario: You have an important party to attend. You only can invite 2 people (anyone in the world). Who would you invite?

Until next post...

26 Days Left - Networking

I didn't always understand the necessity of networking. I was a turtle stuck in my shell. I often thought that networking required too much time and energy, and often was super shallow. I mean, I could count on my fingers the number of people that I actually formed a lasting bond with that I met at a networking event.

As I have become older and a bit of a more seasoned woman/artist, I have learned that networking is far more important sometimes than the work that we create. I know, that statement sounds so backwards, funny, and just flat out wrong! It does to me too!

What I have found is that people want to be able to relate to one another. They want to find something in common with someone else. That something that they find in common could be something small or something on a grand scale, but a commonality all the same. This is what I have come to know networking to be about. I accept it gladly!

Last night while visiting the 2nd Saturday party at The Factory, I understood totally. I was in my element. I was in the place that I needed to be in order to be motivated beyond where I am at the moment. I met other artists that were truly making things happen. They were brave souls that stepped out on faith, trusting the innovative and creative gifts that they have been given. I am in the same space that they are in...doing what I need to do to make sure that what is on the inside is conveyed on the outside. And done well!

I met amazing women and men that are fueled by their passion (National Picnic, The 3rd Ward, and Revolution Coffee Roasters). They were inspiring to say the least, and definitely what I need to pushed to the next level. I'm looking forward to networking with these folks and many more on August 10th.

Your Thoughts:
Who have you networked lately that has pushed you to the next level? What was the greatest piece of advice that they gave you?