Solo Show opening at the Washington School of Photography

So, to explain how this all came about in the first place..... at my studio warming in February at VisArts the Dean of Education from the Washington School of Photography had come to visit and got caught up on all my latest work in the studio, and a week or so after the party she mentioned that she would like to host a show of my work that would fill half the school's gallery. Normally you plan for a solo show six months to a year ahead, but I immediately said yes to this wonderful and unexpected opportunity.

Several weeks later I learned that I would have access to the whole gallery, and I worked with even greater dedication, if that was possible. Working day and night I produced new work prodigiously and I never dared slow down with the end date drawing ever closer. With tremendous reference photos waiting to be painted and the perfect space to work in, the inspiration came and the work flowed. The clock ticked and the calendar flipped and the time was fast approaching to deliver all my work.



One final painting was started and completed to a point, left unfinished intentionally to display my process. Many artists would never allow unfinished work to be viewed, but my process has always been very transparent and I have worked and muraled in public venues for many of the more than 26 years that I have been painting professionally. The unfinished work would hang at the very beginning of the show with the reference photo in a sleeve right beside it, exactly how I use them in the studio. A leatherbound book would hold all of the other reference photos for the paintings in the show, along with some finished paintings alongside their reference photo.



One day a reporter was at the art center to review the photography show in the galleries there, and apparently she watched me work for a time, quietly observing me while I was diligently working. I never looked up or turned around, and she went on her way. Not long ago my cell phone rang and she asked if she could come and visit to do a story. I said yes and we made arrangements to meet and for a photographer to come and take pictures of the work in the studio. A great conversation and photo session followed and the story will soon run.

All of the work was delivered on a Tuesday, and as soon as I got it there, the show began to go up. With all the wonderful support staff and friends of the school, I was able to release the work and walk away... they took care of everything else. Delightful as normally I am the person hanging the show!

On Friday the 10th I enjoyed my first leisurely day in months and an hour or so before the opening reception we arrived at the school to view the show and take some pictures of the work in the space. The staff of the Washington School of Photography had transformed the space and the show looked wonderful for their 74th Art Walk event. I was so impressed with their efficiency and professionalism, and everything went off without a hitch.



Two big beautiful flower arrangements were there... gifts from Virginia, and they lit up the space. We had brought pots of hyacinths with us to fill the space with their perfume, and the gallery looked perfect with tiny lights artfully suspended from the ceiling and candles flickering everywhere. Music of my choosing played on the CD player, and it was a surreal moment to once again have a solo show after all these years. So many artists never have the opportunity to have a solo showing, and I have been fortunate to have several..... I was not sure that I ever would again when I left my old life with a suitcase just 6 1/2 years ago.















Once everything was ready to go we all had some time to visit and catch up and then the appointed hour had finally arrived. I felt calm and relaxed and all the hard work was worth it to be in this moment. I had done everything I could and now we waited to see if people would come. Friends, family, and guests began to arrive and the steady stream never stopped all evening, with more then 200 guests coming to see the show. (The WSP staff was delighted as this would be an average turnout for a juried show with lots of participants who each invited some friends, so they were exceptionally pleased with my ability to draw a crowd.)



Lots of interest and questions about particular works, conversation flowed along with the wine and food... kept perpetually replenished by staff and volunteers. People introduced themselves and pointed out their favorite pieces, and I told them about paintings they were interested in knowing more about. The event was documented by several people with cameras, and from time to time I was asked to give a brief talk about my work to groups on the Art Walk tour who kept arriving by bus and on foot.



So many friends came and stayed, and almost the entire staff of VisArts and a full compliment of resident artists were there to lend support and I met some wonderful new people, too, who really liked the work. Many people mentioned that my work was the perfect thing to view on a lovely Spring evening... and I was so pleased to hear that. Lots of wonderful people and a great party atmosphere, and the opportunity to talk about the school and VisArts where my studio is located. So many friends have been aware that I was preparing for the show, and they loved having the opportunity to see all the new work in person and hung. I made a new connection for a place that will handle my work, and there were several good nibbles on paintings.











Finally the clock chimed 9 and the last guest was ushered out. Very quickly all signs of a big party were tidied up and a pristine gallery was once again the backdrop for all my work. We collected the flower arrangements, said our goodbyes so the WSP staff could go home, and drove back to my studio at the art center to place the flowers in their rightful home. Virginia and I just stood and talked about the evening for a bit in my studio, savoring the success of the evening and the fact that everything had gone so well.

All the hard work and late nights and early mornings were worthwhile and with the article yet to come hopefully more people will go to see the show. I think I floated most of the way home and I slept well Friday night, knowing that I had done everything I could do to help make the show a success. All of the staff, volunteers, and friends of the school deserve a hearty cheer for all their hard work... this all would not have been possible without them.

The show will hang all month and this is great exposure as I work to make new connections and build new relationships here in this area. The fact that I am doing all of this again, for the second time in a lifetime... rebuilding my art career with a new name in a new area hopefully proves my dedication to the only way of life I have ever known. I am so fortunate to be living a life where my creative needs and my art can be my focus.

Thanks to all my friends for the good wishes and support and endless votes of confidence. I am endlessly grateful for your love and friendship. On to the next thing!




To view all the photos click here

Article in the Gazette