The Plunge..
Taking the Plunge…and that sinking feeling
This past August I took the first of many plunges relating to art. I participated in our small towns’ local vendor market for the first time. I was so excited since I had been waitlisted for most of the summer’s markets. I was provided a free space but unfortunately was not permitted to have a popup cover due to the smaller space and its location. I thought no problem the event doesn’t start until 6pm, but wow was it hot that evening. North Carolina has a very long, hot, and humid summer.
I prepped for the market, and I framed all my best smaller easy to carry pieces. I undervalued my paintings in hopes for a sale or two. Sadly, no luck. Nope, not one sale. I was disappointed, but I suppose that is part of the starving artist lifestyle. What saved the evening were people stopping by to chat with me. They asked great questions about my process, and how long I had been painting. Some offered their interpretations of what they saw in my abstract work. I was elated when some saw what I intended. I was especially hyped when other artist came by my booth to chat with me about my work and tell me about theirs. Networking saved the day. Sales will come I just know it.
My next shot at a market will be this November. Our neighborhood is having a craft market and participating vendors will set up in their own driveways. Convenient and hopefully cooler. As I mentioned, summer is long and sometimes eats into Autumn. I’m hoping the Christmas shoppers will be out and maybe I will sell something this time.
My next big plunge will be this January. I’m going back to school. Yes, you read that right, school... in my 40’s. I will be attending classes at the local community college to try and obtain an Associates degree in Fine Arts that will ultimately transfer to a university. When I first started painting in 2018 my husband encouraged me to take some art classes. I always said, “NO WAY”. Why? Well, I was always worried that learning in a formal setting would take the fun out of my messy obsession. However, I have changed my opinion. I feel I am at a point where I am no longer progressing. I don’t see myself as a naturally talented artist. My husband reminded me that “in order to break the rules you must first learn them”. When I think about what classes will be like I get a sinking anxious feeling. I know it will be intimidating to work alongside others with amazing talent. I am sure I will get some strange looks every time I ask a question that many probably learned in High School, but I hope that with my age will come some wise decisions and actual learning. Right out of high school I enrolled in college because that is what you were expect/supposed to do. The pressure to go on to college was high because if you didn’t go to school, you would surly die cold, alone, and living in a box on the street. Like most young people I wanted to be DONE with school. I dropped out of college during my first semester, and I began to tread water until I was lucky enough to land some incredible jobs.
As I leave this too long blog post on my page I get a sinking feeling, but at the same time perhaps it’s excitement. If I can keep my head above the great expanse of life’s ocean, I know I will be happy. It’s funny how as you age your idea of happiness changes. Family, education, and art bring me so much joy. Each month I hope to bring you some amusing insight into my artist journey. Of course, I hope to post more of my work too. See you soon!