The art reception for Honor Thy Master at Dolce Vita World Bistro was last night.  This was the perfect opportunity to break in my blue BCBG Max Azria dress.  I bought it a year ago to wear to a wedding in Florida.  I decided to wear something else that day instead – you must know me by now to know that I had three possibilities at the ready (I went with the Jill JIll Stuart black jersey gown).  In addition to the never worn dress, my new BR cardigan was freshly delivered from www.bananarepublic.com, and so, coupled with sandals and gold hoop earrings, I was ready to be ready to have a great time at my party.

It was magnificent!  I am soooooo grateful to have support from wonderful friends and family.  We filled the restaurant.  It was an incredible thing – surreal might be a better word – to see people from work, fellow artists, students, my parents and my besties all dining together, all coming together to view my art and to enjoy a three-course meal, which included some amazing cheesecakes for dessert – OMG!

I didn’t actually eat – I table-hopped, chatted and laughed, and took all of these fun pics!  It was definitely one of the best art parties I have ever had, really and truly.  Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you for coming and sharing your Tuesday evening with me. <3

This was a successful experiment.  Magical, more like.  Bringing people together and offering them a special menu created for the event.  Making an art show more of a happening in a way that benefits the venue and its patrons, as well as the artist.  There was actually interest in my work – potential sales.  Yes!  My dream of finding homes for these paintings is coming true.

So it was and is a win-win.  I loved sharing my art message with those who asked.  It is a funny thing to verbalize one’s visual language.  Mine is a personal vision and it requires a certain amount of vulnerability for me to do so.  As I reflect on this series of paintings, its meaning has shifted.  It happened gradually at first, with the changes I made two weeks ago and now I discover something new every time I look at them, as if they are still in flux, changing and growing emotionally as I am.  It’s almost as if I can feel myself moving even while sitting here writing this.  I can feel the momentum of the planet and it is like when you watch those films that fast forward the life-cycle of a tulip in bloom.  Evolving exponentially.

I heard that an artist’s energy resides in their work and people of like energy are the ones who are attracted to it.  Therefore, an artist in despair will find their patron in someone of a similar disposition.  My paintings speak of the need to seek solace in love, and are in the spirit of taking that leap of faith in order to find it.

That used to feel sad to me, but it doesn’t anymore.  There is no fear of despair in that journey.  Only a sense that the best is yet to come.

Last night was very special.  I will treasure that feeling of friendship and camaraderie for a very long time.

Honor Thy Master will remain on display until the end of April 2017.