How Do You Know When You've Made It?
This post really is about a very special visit to my studio by the Women's Committee of the National Museum of Women in the Arts. I was contacted via Instagram message by Julie Sapone about being featured in one of the Women's Committee programs. Was I interested? Of course! An explanation of the title comes a little later. I hope you'll read on.
Getting Ready
On March 10, thirteen wonderful women joined me in the Arts of Great Falls Gallery where I'd temporarily taken over the walls for a solo show ... and we just had the best time getting to know one another. I had been fretting ... seriously ... about two things. 1. What would I paint for my demo? 2. What would I feed them?
Leading up to the day was a frenzy of activity. My "To Do" list was ridiculous, even by my standards. It was a test, too, of just how agreeable husband Randy was to the craziness. In the course of two days, I taught two classes, picked out/packed up/hung my solo show in the gallery, rehung my studio walls, printed tags, printed brochures, put together goodie bags, put up a still life to paint (not too excited about that), arranged the room for the demo and then figured out food. Oh, and made multiple stops for balloons. Perfect time for our trusted Dollar Tree store to be out of helium.
Refreshments are ready
It was 1 or 2am the morning of the visit that we were still contemplating coffee. We realized picking up to go containers of coffee wouldn't work and Randy managed to locate and figure out our own big coffeepot instead. On the way over we picked up the best coffee cake ever from Panera Bread plus I pleaded my way to acquiring some fresh fruit - pineapple, strawberries, cantaloupe, freshly sliced (by me) right before my special guests arrived.
Goodie bags and brochure waiting for each guest. In the gallery, "On the Town", "Dancing Days" and "Golden Lights." The "photographer" was a bit too busy to get great photos.
The first two to arrive were Julie Sapone and her friend, Winter Michael. I immediately asked Winter if she would be interested in sitting for me to paint her portrait. She agreed! Happy day! The fun was about to begin.
First things first. The women enjoying each others' company, refreshments and the art.
As others came through the door and were warmly greeted by Julie, Randy and I moved away the still life and set up a "throne" for Winter. The ladies were enjoying chatting, viewing the paintings and enjoying the snacks. Time to get seated. Julie gave a great introduction. I was ready to get to "work." Randy and Julie took a whole series of videos and photos that showed just how magical this morning was. Laughter and art and pure joy.
NOTE: Click the button with the four arrows and then hit play. The video will cut off abruptly at the end but you'll have seen a great introduction to this group and our day together.
The women had never watched a live painting demonstration before. I wasn't trying to teach them how to paint but instead was showing them the joy of it. One slight teaching-ish moment was telling them that I squint at my subject to simplify shapes. That was when Winter cracked up and commented that "It looks like she's painting with her eyes shut." She must have wondered what the painting of her was looking like. In watching back the videos, I too have no idea how something appeared on the canvas. I was spending so much time with questions and answers and stories that the painting was definitely not getting my undivided attention. Painting truly is like breathing to me. That day was a testament to that.
The questions and insights were different from other demos I've given too. Julie asked the question (rephrased since I can't remember her exact words): "When did I know I made it?" My immediate answer was "When the Women's Committee of the National Museum of Women of the Arts comes to visit." I was kind of joking and kind of not. This was a pinch-me moment for me. It was an honor. But best of all, I was able to share the joy and passion of painting to this group who clearly loved art and being with me that day.
I thought of two other special rungs on the ladder I'm still climbing. One was when I was first showing my work at a juried art festival in McLean VA. My dream in this fledgling second career of mine was to travel supported by my earnings as an artist. At the show, I had many admirers of my work - and lots of sales. I had been taking this passion of mine seriously ... but it was the first time that my husband Randy started to look at it that way. That meant a LOT.
The second big moment was the first night -- sitting under the stars looking out over a vineyard in Piemonte wine region of Italy where I'd been invited to teach a plein air workshop for another amazing group. Randy and I were sitting on the rooftop deck with wine and a snack ... and I was thinking "Really?"
There are so many times though that feel like that. I'm smiling while painting. Others feel the joy oozing out of the canvas. I am enormously grateful to be granted the joy of doing what I do and the opportunity to spread all that good stuff around.
Winter and I ... soaking in our moments of fame
We ended the visit with a neat lunch together at the Old Brogue Irish Pub where more of my paintings are hanging in their Snuggery dining room.
