Now, my commerce has lowered to a drizzle of offers. I am very grateful for what I do get , of course. It is a lean time in the pantry now and after essential bills had been paid, and the last extravagance of New Year's feasting was done...it is back to rice suppers.
However, me and the artist I live with have been just as , if not more , busier than ever in our studios. I have had a few sparse projects here and there from some internet sales, but mainly I am able to focus on two things.
Organize and clean the newly required studio space and dream big on how someday, it will be all mine. Owned.
The other thing is to work on projects I wanted to do. Large scale paintings and smaller works, like more illustrations and ACEO/ATC cards.
This down time also gives me space to think, plan and prepare for what I feel will be a very very busy upcoming year. The next Chinese year will be of the Snake. Black Water snake to be exact. It means more profit..but with an air of caution. This is the year to read the small print, do one's homework, and be mindful of everything.
That is sometimes an obstacle of mine. I get so excited when any offer comes I forget to sit back and think about it.
I have this tendency to pounce upon ANY chance to exhibit my works in a stone and brick Gallery like a starving man on a piece of bread. Eager is good. Desperation is unattractive. It sends the wrong vibes and more often then not, you don't get what it is you wanted so badly.
I had currently sent my website address to a gallery in the French Quarter, Creason's Fine Art Gallery .
I come across Greg and his gallery via ART New Orleans Magazine ( which I discovered via their local PBS show). Check them out, as well as their Facebook page.
I was thrilled to had gotten such a nice and prompt response from the Gallery owner, Greg Creason.
Of course, I was then tossed into stomach churning anxiety as I sent my little growing website with its smaller showcase of what I considered my best existing pieces thus far. I even considered showing him what I had sold at the 2011 Fringe Festival in New Orleans....but didn't yet. I take stock in the fact he can look through all the links I offered that shows the body of work from years past as well.
So, I sit here, biting non existent nails, not knowing when he looked through my portfolios, who may had looked with him and what they truly think. Does he love it? Does he hate it? Does he think I "have promise" but will need to step up the bar and get back to them later? I don't know yet.
It is an exhilarating yet slightly nauseous process, this fallow time. I am doing my best to enjoy it and use it to my full advantage. Take stock in what I have, build up my works and prepare for anything. Mostly, ironically, the hardest thing for artists to prepare for is success. It is daunting. We have heard all our lives that as an artist we must "suffer and starve" and MAYBE get recognition after we died.
That is truly hogwash. I have spent many tear drenched hours rewiring my brain to NOT accept that as a given reality. I am ready now to accept.
The seeds lay dormant under the turned and harvested soil ; still hard with frost...but when the sun warms the Earth, they will come back. So will I.
PAX