Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Open the doors and let in the fresh air!

So where have I been, you ask?

Working at odds and ends... temporary office jobs, freelance design, cleaning my studio, starting to paint, stopping painting... planning, getting distracted, sketching, working temporary office jobs... a sort of semi-productive, busy, slightly distracted cycle. I started looking for full time work, willing to put painting aside temporarily to pay off debt, although I know temporary stops can turn into years of not creating artwork.

I've been working hard on resumes, looking, strategizing, calculating... hitting the pavement and battling anxiety and discouragement. But in this season these efforts didn't open the doors I was trying to open.

Unexpected doors have recently opened; graceful swinging doors that have welcomed me in without having to pound them down or shove my foot in.

First was a call to work a couple of days a week at the Seaport Farmer's Market for Seafoam Lavender farms. I had to change my thinking from full time to part time work. I had resolved to "endure" any type of work environment to try and take the "long view", and here comes this offer of part time, low stress employment in a life giving (not to mention great smelling!) environment. In a sense I felt like I was surrendering the "security" of full time work, but in another sense I felt exactly like what I needed.

Around this time I was getting to know Daina, a fantastic artist at the Seaport Market who began encouraging me in my painting. Even though I had felt stuck, this encouragement started taking root. I began to clean out my studio so I could begin working, and the week it was completed this new friend contacted me with some amazing news... She had shown my work to two galleries and they both want to represent me! Thank you Daina... and thank you Galleries!!!

By the way, you can see out Daina's beautiful work at www.artbydaina.blogspot.com and The Witherstone Gallery at www.facebook.com/WitherstoneGallery ALSO, take a look at www.duffettfolkart.com Shelagh is another new artist friend from the market and galleries.

So here I am... with two days of work to bring in some extra money, a studio to work in, and two galleries to show in. I'm walking through the open doors baby!


Seaport Farmer's Market

Witherstone Gallery
Lunenburg

Trilogy Gallery
Mahone Bay


1 comment:

  1. Claire, you deserve it! And thanks for your kindness. I honestly feel it was your talent, warmth, and sincerity that began the door-opening. Get ready, there will be many more :)

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