....there is so little time!
Today as I drove the short distance to my Studio in Ingram Texas....I was thinking of the straightening, cleaning and re-hanging of my gallery walls required after a showing (as last night we hosted an anniversary show). With pleasure it's a good thing to re-fill the empty spots on the walls. On my drive though this Sunday morning I was keenly reminded that the 2nd of March is a day of Celebration here in Texas...it is Texas Independence Day! It is unique to our history as a state in the union, as once our land was a Republic...fought for and won from Mexico in 1836. On my drive to work there were 'Lone Star Flags' flying everywhere along the roadside. It made me smile and swell with pride. I counted 93 flags...oh and also 2 Canadian flags flying as well....from some snowbirds, whom we welcome here as well!
Yesterday, at my gallery Lisa and I hosted a Celebration....an art opening, debuting all the new work that I have put together through the Winter. It was fun to do and important to do as it marks a brief moment to pause and celebrate....to say and give thanks for all the Blessings that we have received and share and show the work...the fruit of my labor. I've been fortunate somehow to stumble along through 30 years as an artist....some talent, but really it is a product of dedicated, hard work. So I'm thankful to arrive at another anniversary....30 years as a full time artist, 10 years here in Ingram on the OLD INGRAM LOOP.... and 2 years now in this new studio/gallery location. These anniversaries would not happen, if it were not for a lot of love and support from so many. Wonderful and supportive family...friends from near and so far, (you know who you are)...and clients who have connected and re-connected with my work, they get it and understand my passion and vision for painting. My own Independence as a self-employed person would not happen....certainly for not as long as it has without the support of so many.
Through it all, I think just my ability to maintain my independence as an artist....to manage my own gallery...share and sell my work to thousands that I meet and greet each year through the doors of my studio or at a show somewhere in the Southwest...it means everything to me! I so enjoy and love what I do...everyday is an adventure as an artist as there are no guarantees, not one when you travel the road that I do. The independence I enjoy as an artist is so worth the insecurity....as through the insecurity is where my motivation comes from.
This week after a couple months of work I prepared and finalized to hang a show of over 150 pieces of my art throughout the walls of my studio for my anniversary show, it's a lot...it's more then I have ever done before....a young person, a art student remarked and asked me, "how do you do it, there is so much here"? I said in return..."I know, but there is so little time!"
Here are some photos of the artwork in the gallery to share for those who were not able to be there in person! I'm off to show in Albuquerque soon....March 7-9th. Keep in touch and thanks for being a part of my Art Family....cheers! tw
