surrealism

I have no idea what is going on.

Seriously.

Let's just recap a bit to get some perspective:

Three years ago I quit my tutoring job and took a weekend art class with some girlfriends. Today my art is in a retail store and a gallery, I have two uber successful art shows under my belt and two more coming up in December and February.

Surreal.

But I digress. I haven't posted in a month. So much to tell.

Let's start with the Belmont Community Celebration of Art Show and Sale at Christ the King. This was my follow up to my first public venture, the Bella Rustica Barn Sale, which featured home decor and gifts along with art. The barn sale was a smashing success for little e studio, but the Belmont Show was a different bird. A real art show with committee-selected artists, all of whom were seasoned, trained, talented, experienced professional artists....and me. My weekend at the Belmont show was an inspiring inauguration into the world of art shows. I was selling my wares alongside seasoned, trained and talented artists who could have made me feel like an amateur but who encouraged and advised and cheered me on. I am still amazed, humbled, bumfuzzled by this crazy midlife career coupled with new motherhood, but my first foray into the art show world could not have been better.
The set-up was difficult, the hours were long, my dogs were barking, BUT it was all worth it! My sales were amazing, including my three biggest pieces the very first night, and it led to an incredible opportunity...my first bonafide art gallery!!!!

I am now represented by Ron York of York and Friends at his Memphis location, Market Central!!! http://yorkandfriends.com/ I hope to be in his Nashville locations soon, once I catch up on commissions and build my inventory for the Brentwood Academy show in December. I could not be more pumped about this opportunity. I went to see Ron six months ago to get advice about the art business. He represents so many well known local artists and I needed input on pricing, art shows, galleries, retail. All things I was, and am, still clueless about. What a full circle moment when he approached me about representation. Once again, surreal!

I have been trying, trying to catch up on commissions that I put off before the September shows. Almost done, so now I am working toward the Fine Art in Brentwood Show, December 2-4. www.fineartinbrentwood.com



And then I have the Lipscomb Art Event, February 10-12, the Heart and Soul event benefitting the American Heart Association February 18, and, as always, my inventory at C'est Moi in Brentwood.

Sur.Real.

So here's the deal. I don't know why. I don't know how. I don't know what in the world is happening. I am blessed, I am thrilled, I am confused. I am overwhelmed. I am busy. I am a wife and mother first. I paint during naps and preschool and after bedtime. I have no idea about current events. I do not watch any shows in real time if I watch shows at all. I don't cook or do laundry. My best stress reliever is Pinterest but it is the biggest time sucker after Etsy. I neeeeeeeeeed a vacation. But I am grateful and hopeful and humbled and amazed.

"Forget the former things. Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a NEW thing. Now it springs up! Can't you feel it?" Isaiah 43:18-19.

Thanks to all of you who have helped make this little side venture, my new thing, a full blown success.

little e studio