In part 2 of RAW: the Magicial Artistically Tour, we'll go inside and I'll highlight some events that went on before, during and after the show from a personal perspective.
Before we do that a quick detour and digression: I have to begin this tour by saying how much I love being an artist-now. I am incredibly happy that I stuck with it after many many just "throw in the brush" and some semi-serious "give it up" conversations in my head. This venue, and my first show of the year, was the introduction of my new work and my voice in a public setting. Need to say, I have put the fire extinguisher on the "give up" dialogue and put the fire back in my belly instead. All from two days, and eighteen months preparation.
Marilyn Grad Copyright @2011
The show started at 11:00am. I arrived and set up early before some of the other artists to minimize the stress. I possessed the keys to the space! I'm glad I did. I had thought I would hang my work on brick having checked out my assigned space two days earlier. Change of plans the day of: didn't work and used the wall instead. It was much easier and I had more fun hanging the mixed media wall art than arranging and displaying boxes. I had a clearance/sale table for that: | ||
| The Director of HR of The James Hotel Chicago and Affinia Hotels and her husband came to say HI and check out my "other work." I was definitely surprised and most flattered. |
Relaxed and excited I twas....until.... 25 minutes before showtime.....fellow first floor artist Pam Seatter and I looked and FINALLY ACCEPTED that the other two artists who were assigned the space upfront at the entrance were a no show. We couldn't leave this space barren. Who would even bother to come in?
The RAW #18 artists banded together and quickly. Second floor artist Miki Shim-Rutter of 2frogs ceramics brought down a small spare table to display all of our business cards at the entry. Pam and I started spreading out our work down the hallway along the barren walls.
Since I didn't live too far away and had extra unsold paintings (imagine that!) at my apartment, second floor beaded jewelry artist Annette Jackson drove very quickly so I could get them. Another digression but amusing: On the way there, Annette and I were talking about all sorts of interesting things, when I realized and interjected "BTW, my name is Marilyn." I had no idea what her name was either as we were definitely on a mission. We laughed so hard, she told me hers, continued our conversation and made it back in 20 minutes.
Start hammering. There are people coming:
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| Added my 3 Geisha as greeters at the entrance. Marilyn Grad @Copyright 2010 |
Silence is a Gift Marilyn Grad @Copyright 2011
A show is not complete without having the support and appearance of DEAR friends, personal artist heroes, and coworkers past and present, showing up. Metal sculptor/welder artist, humorist and spirit raiser Jennifer Meyers (I introduced you to her an earlier post), drove two hours to see and support me. She relieved me so I could take a break and sold a box for me in my absence. I was tempted not to come back. BUT I DID.
I'll let you decide which side of Jennifer is more photogenic. At least she has one.
This post is a long one and I don't want it to take on a sappier tone which it is starting to do. It is also giving me lots and lots of font problems-true to form. Frustrating. Where's the magic now?
SOOOOOOO with Part 2 of the RAW 2011 Magical Artistically Tour coming to an end, I will close by personally speaking, this show was magic. My fears and doubts disappeared from all the great response and reaction to my new work. I am no longer working in the dark. I am starting to see my audience. I still have one fear however to overcome:
I have a little window before next years' show season begins and I try applying: Until then and for now.. I'm staying indoors. TOUR OVER.
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