The Year of Being Visible - The 26th Annual Juried Show at the Athenaeum

 I'm not sure I have talked about the quirky annual resolution "thing" that I do. Last year, 2016, it was, The Year of the Body. I took it to heart, got a new tattoo, changed my lifestyle including my diet, began a lovely yoga practice, and scheduled monthly massages. I generally focused on taking care of myself in a way that was radically different than before.

And, along came December, precursor to 2017. I am sitting at Brockton Villa with my sweet friend Susan Wells. The fire is going, it's raining outside so we are cozy and warm. We are chatting about our friendship, what we want to do in the coming new year. And I blurt out, "I think this will be the year of being visible". What? Where did that come from? Nothing makes me more uncomfortable than being visible. I wasn't sure what I meant, or how this would manifest. I was already posting on instagram a lot, and facebook sometimes. I have this blog. But how visible am I, really. I show you only what I want to show you, what I am comfortable showing you. I control all of it, and that protects me.

When, Susan asked to exhibit one of my installation pieces in her shop, I admit I was nervous. It was the first time that one of my dresses had ever been out on display. I cannot express in words, the love and gratitude I have for her friendship. Her support is unshakable!

Carry Your Own Weight. Learned from a young age.

I made a decision to begin posting much more of my work on Instagram. And it was the response from that community that gave me the courage to take the next step. In order to be our brave vulnerable selves, sometimes it means showing up and taking a risk. For me it meant submitting pieces of my work to various juried shows. (Something I realize I learned from my father who had many group and solo shows during his career.) Actually, I was so confident that none of my work would ever get accepted I just did it so that I was fulfilling my 2017 declaration to be visible. And guess what, I did get into that first exhibition in April, then I got into a second one in April.

I'll let you in on a secret, showing up for the opening receptions is hard for me. Anxiety. But I do it anyway. I mingle, I see other artists and their work, I see my work. My friends come to see me and support me. I have the experience of being vulnerable and living to tell the tale!

In keeping with my declaration for 2017, I recently submitted four of my collage pieces to the 26th Annual Juried Show at the Athenaeum in La Jolla. All were accepted. And no one is more surprised than I am! I am both humbled and honored to be included.

The reception is Friday, August 4th, 6:30 to 8:30. It would be lovely to see you there.