Monday, August 24, 2009

My Upcoming Show

What a delightful treat... I went to the studio yesterday morning and was able to stay for about 4 hours this time! Woo hoo! I worked on my big abstract reflection and then took a bit of time to tweak some other paintings and sign ones I thought were finished. I left actually feeling like I might have a handle on the show I am preparing for this fall. It was a good feeling for sure.

What show? Well, I have a solo show in an actual gallery here in town! It's all extremely exciting and feels so official! At least official compared to my other two solo shows which were held in a local coffee shop; one was in spring 2004 and the other was in spring 2008. The coffee shop was an excellent location for a newbie like myself and a great first step, but the owner really had no standard for the art she agreed to show other than the subject matter had to be restaurant appropriate. She didn't even look at my work before it went up and she wasn't even there when I hung it! Anyways, I took a painting workshop in the summer of 2008 and a fellow student reminded me of a gallery in town, St. Thomas More Gallery, that is a big supporter of student art and emerging artists. She encouraged me to approach the curator which took me 6 months to do, but in Feb. 2009 somehow I got the nerve up to talk to her. I had to submit jpegs of my work and she responded very favorably! That was one of the best emails I ever recieved; the acceptance from her gave me some sort of validation that I needed. And it really does feel more official. I am having a solo show in an actual gallery! It makes me giddy!                     

 The Muse
40x30"
acrylic on canvas
sold
 
 Water Striders- Big Broadway Number
40x30"
acrylic on canvas
NFS
 
Above are a couple of the pieces I will have in the show for sure. Others are still being decided upon and I will post them as they are finalized. They are both 40"x30" and done in acrylic on canvas.

Man, even though I have no readers it is still nerve-racking to post these images! I actually haven't told a soul that I have started a blog... I haven't even shown it to my husband yet! Just the remote possibility that someone would find this blog and consider commenting makes me aware that I am opening myself up to potential judgments and criticism. I am just now struck with new-found admiration for the artists I have come across in this blogging world and appreciate even more their willingness to share their art and really "put it out there".

Speaking of judgments and criticism, when I looked at my beloved Edward B. Gordon blog yesterday I was stunned to read that somebody had the nerve to tell him that his subject matter is trivial! What the...?! Seriously?!! I would like to know the context of the conversation, maybe then I would know if I actually had the right to be as offended as I was when I read that. Actually, I probably have no right to be offended at all since it has nothing to do with me, but I'm a Leo and I'm loyal, what can I say? Honestly, the only explanation that makes sense is that this is a person who has looked at Mr.Gordon's paintings, but has not actually seen them. The beauty and worthiness he sees in the moments of every day life are so far from trivial... I'm just exasperated by the notion...

6 comments:

Barbara Muir said...

Hi Nicki,

Your work is so gorgeous. I love Edward B. Gordon's work too. If someone posts a negative comment on your blog, all you need to do is delete it! Usually people delete them themselves before you see them, and then you just take off their comment deleted space. You deserve a blog. Great things can happen because of it. Trust me! I have found the experience to be exceptionally rewarding in every way.

Take care,

Barbara

Nicki said...

Hi Barbara,

Thank you so much for stopping by to take a look and even more, thank you for taking the time to post some comments. You and your work are inspirational!

Smiles,

Nicki

Edward B. Gordon said...

Dear Nicki, nothing to worry, just another journalist from another paper. I thought it was actually rather amusing.

Wonderful work here, especially the water paintings, reflections, everything, fantastic !!!!

best Edward

Nicki said...

Dear Edward,

Now that I have stopped shaking from the shock of finding your comment on my blog I can respond by saying that I am overwhelmed that you took the time to stop by and even more so that you took the time to comment. Your enthusiastic words are deeply appreciated. Thank you, thank you.

Nicki

Janie B said...

Nicki, I'm so glad to have found your blog. You are a wonderful artist, and it's great that you can concentrate on that now. I love these water pics. Best of luck with your show. Hope all goes well for you. --Janie

Nicki said...

Hi Janie,

Thank you for your kind words. I have to say that I love doing the reflections. I'm not sure I will ever get tired of them, so I am happy to hear they are being enjoyed.

And Max is very cute!

Smiles to you,
Nicki