Growing Pains
It has been quite a summer of added stresses. We learned a beloved lesson horse had a squamous cell carcinoma in his 3rd eyelid. A strangles infection scare at the barn resulted in weeks of temperature taking and worry for the health and well-being of 22 animals. The realization it was time for my mother to enter hospice and trying to organize that. On top of the usual functioning in the heat and humidity of Florida just trying to do my “day job”. We had an unusually dry June and July which means I didn’t get my ready-made excuse to escape thunderstorms and go inside to hit the studio.
I did manage to finish a painting that had been floating in the back of my mind for some time. It took off on it’s own a bit and not quite what I had thought but I am still happy with it (check out “Incoming” in the shop!). I will do more like it in the future, I am sure! I also got to get serious with my “Nurture” Series. After seeing how my own mother now needs mothering as she approaches the end of her time here and a good friend had her first beautiful baby boy, starting her journey into motherhood, it got me thinking about motherhood and what it entails. Providing sustenance, shelter and protection only cover the basics. Add love, affection and worry, things get more complicated. I was very lucky to have grown up with wonderful, caring parents. Was everything perfect? Of course not, but I am grateful I always knew I was loved. So then I thought about mothers out in nature. Providing sustenance, shelter and protection can take on a whole new meaning. And then love, affection and worry? We see and hear stories of animal mothers going above and beyond to protect their young. Never mess with a Mama Bear! Am I anthropomorphizing when I see those attributes in animals? Is it just “instinct”? I don’t think so. Humans are animals to and we are learning animals are more sentient than they are often given credit for. Doing paintings showing that became high on my list!
So now I find myself with 4 pieces: 1 complete (see “Nurture: First Return” in the shop), 2 in the end stages and 1 more sketched out. My first true “series” of paintings. I am looking forward to launching them at the Parkland Library as I am the Artist of the Month for September. I want to accompany the originals with a limited edition print run. I am lucky to have a high-quality art printer available in near-by Pompano!
Now I have paintings and drawings piling up! It’s going to be time to do a push to help send them out in the world and hopefully provide moments of joy for those that hang them on their walls.
And now we get to the growing pains portion of the blog. I do my IG and FB reels and posts, send out my emails (those not as often as I should), but the growth is slow. Instagram used to be a fabulous way for artists to be seen but algorithms change and it’s not nearly like it was. I want to do more shows and grow out of the libraries and into festivals to get my work in front of more people. We have some of the top art festivals in the nation right here! Unfortunately, that comes with a big out lay. The juried shows need to see not just the artist’s work but the set up before you are even considered. Set ups come with strict guidelines and cost about $3000-$4000 all together. Some cities, like Delray Beach, insist on every artist having liability insurance. That all adds major commitment to make the return on the investment
Commitment during horseshow season when my “day job” is stressful yet lucrative.
So where does that leave me? Still working on improving my art, putting together the best series I can, having the best show I can in September, keep working hard on exposure to grow my base of collectors and start to apply for indoor and smaller shows, looking for art show canopies and panels. Then, maybe, in the Spring or next year, you can find me at places like the Los Olas Art Festival in Ft. Lauderdale or the Southeast Wildlife Expo in Charleston, SC.