How has it been a week now since I took down my exhibition from Norden Farm? It seems to have taken me that long to recover and get back on top of things.
What an experience! From the stress of getting ready, to the
excitement of set up day, the pressure of opening night and the anti-climax of
take down day. It’s been a rollercoaster and a privilege. I hoped it was going
to be a good morale booster. The employees at Norden Farm started the ball
rolling telling me how good the work looked in the space, that it was made to
be there and struck with a boom of colourful energy. Everyone had a favourite, ‘Havana’
‘Rum Punch’ ‘Barbados’ or ‘Wishing’ ruled the weeks, the prints rushed out the
door, and now I am addicted. When will the next show be?
I can truthfully say I was not expecting to feel like this.
Everyone that knows me, knows I am a behind the scenes person, more comfortable
online, or via email, at least when it comes to my artwork. My paintings are my
shield, my forcefield, my interpretation of everyday life, and I wasn’t sure how
I felt about everybody seeing that. The paintings I did when I was cross, when
I had really bad pmt, the raw ones that were processing something. Do I want
someone to comment on them? But it was interesting, one particularly stormy,
rain driven sea struck a chord - A thunderstorm felt exactly like someone’s
week, so ironically, I didn’t feel vulnerable or judged, I felt like I wasn’t
alone. Everyone understood my language, and that was something beautiful and
strangely empowering. I struggle sometimes, wondering why I do this, well, not
why I do it, I have to, but why I want to share it, but this exhibition made it
make sense. I could see first-hand, especially with people new to my work that
it did something; Reminded them of home, helped them focus their emotions,
reminded them of a favourite vacation, made them want to visit a new place,
gave them something to fall into, talk about, like.
Lightbulb.
I feel hard - good or bad, translate it into colour and leave
space for you to connect with what you need or how you feel. It is a unique
collaboration and I was grateful to be able to witness that.
It was still difficult at times, I don’t particularly like
talking about myself or letting people in, but it was also nice to have a chance
to do both those things. To answer questions and look at what I do through
someone else’s perspective. Painting is something I just do and have always
done so I don’t really ever think about it or what it means.
I also need to point out that this experience was also
completely made by the amount of support I have had from all my friends,
acquaintances, people of Maidenhead and everyone that left feedback, bought
something, told their friends, helped me prepare, or stepped up in the Gallery.
That was overwhelming. A friend from school, past work colleagues, current work
clients, Zumba friends, new fitness holiday friends, neighbours, and many more
besides. I couldn’t ask for more than that, or the belief everyone had in my
work. It was just what I needed to wipe away some doubt.
So THANK YOU everyone for getting behind me and taking the time to come and have a look at my life in colour. (And a huge shout out to Lucile for her unwavering support throughout even when she was dying on her feet and to Chrissie for helping me take down the work on Thursday morning).
