RAW Emotion: Honestly Part 2

Now that a few of my lowlights from the RAW 2012 were shown and expressed in Part 1 (quite cathartic), there were indeed some highlights. It took some raw feeling and surrender of emotion on my part to get over my deep annoyance and disappointment this year. This was my only show scheduled this year so far and the rust had set deeper than I anticipated. Was this another cosmic test or sign to see how badly I still wanted to be and make it as an artist? Is this why there were real and ugly road blocks and multi-leveled personality challenges in my path? I changed my attitude so I could find and strike a balance and put a positive mental spin on all this. Had to. I was really hurting inside (and apparently still am as I write this on my pity pot.) This process was actually my Nirvana moment. 

My sales were not what they were last year at all. I had to make this show less about the money to boost my spirits. It was seeing dear friends who came and found their way to our location, witnessing the smiles and AHA!s my work put on people's faces, making new connections and meeting these cuties and real art aficionados:

The child?!! on the right, who is wise beyond her years and stunned me with her maturity and knowledge about art and other things, was looking at my work, loved it and paused. She proceeded to tell me how she had seen a character style like this before somewhere, that someone else was doing this and it came together. Her family owns one of my Take-Out menu boxes, the ones I no longer make. She was so excited. Me too.

I shared space with Erin Rossi Designs, Twisted Sisters, jewelry artist Elyse Umlauf-Garneau and these two beautiful jewelry artists. We bonded so well, bent some elbows and became "family", Malgorzata Petr of GOSIA Jewelry  with her sculptor artist husband Dandee, and Laura Garza of http://www.organicajewelry.carbonmade.com.  So much so that we plan to discuss the possibility of doing our own venue together to show our work.

It does sadden me though when I look at the pictures and the press that others recently posted on FB where there was life and where they seemed supported by their hosts. A genuine sign of community that we lacked.

“Rather than letting our negativity get the better of us, we could acknowledge that right now we feel like a piece of shit and not be squeamish about taking a good look.”~ Pema Chodron. 

The point isn’t to wallow or feel overwhelmed with the parts that aren’t all happy and shiny. The point is to look at them, to sit with them, because they are part of who we are.

I felt more raw than I expected and can now only move on and forward. I am proud of myself that I worked and processed through some of my "ego demons."  I now welcome the growth and that I passed my own self-made tests.

RAW Emotion: Honestly Part 1

 

Well....The 2012 Ravenswood Artwalk came and went. The weather was perfect!! Nirvana. Clear skies, sunny, warm, a great day to walk around a great neighborhood and see some art. This was my third time doing the RAW and I was going in with high hopes. Why not? I did well last year and hoped the momentum would continue. I was familiar with my assigned location having ironically/sadly been in this location my first year when it was a gym :( . This year was going to be different? as the Chicago Mosaic School had taken over the space, beautifully I might add.

Keeping the tradition of posting highlights from each year's show in my blog, I will take you on a mini tour of RAW 2012. I did not get to see too much of the show this year, just enough to know where I would like to request and be next year.

Let's begin on the lows, shall we?  Follow me up N. Ravenswood as we see the construction for the new Metra Rail system underway. Some streets were blocked which made those driving become more creative. WE ARE ALL CREATIVES! in this life in some way, shape or expression.

We'll walk up North Ravenswood and take a left on West Cuyler to the Chicago Mosaic School:

 

We have arrived and will walk up two flights of stairs to the Second Floor:
 

There was no promotion/signage on the street so on Saturday morning with two posters one of the artist's had, I collected all the artists business cards, scotched tape them to the poster and together we went outside and posted them to a pole. (Using stress and anger in a positive way) The other wonderful artists that I shared this space with did this again on Sunday on the other side of Ravenswood. We took the promotion by the horns!!

The Begyle Brewery next door and the artists sharing their space had an identical challenge and did this the same time we did:

Wall space was NOT made available to the artists that needed/wanted it (3 total including myself), so I was constantly reworking, stressing and reconfiguring my "plans" and what pieces to bring. Displays have always been one of my banes and not a strong suit. I kept checking this space out several days/times before the show until the hosts and I were on the same page and knew what the final agreed set up would be.

They were gracious in lending me tabletop easels for the wood panels and a spacious workstation table. I did let my dissatisfaction be known. 
It does make a difference when you show paintings against a wall and not a table that also contains your other work, including a sale table upfront. They were not gracious about other matters which led to an uncomfortable and unwelcoming weekend. One more thing to rise above.

Thank goodness for DEAR friends that came and the artists I met that bonded in this space. We did become a family. It helps to surround yourself with them, commiserate and keep spirits up.

Marilyn, continue to persevere. Promise yourself you will.

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Part 2 of the tour: THE HIGHLIGHTS!!! The artists, lessons and a metaphor.