Receptions
It feels very strange, having nothing to do. Well, I actually have plenty to do, but I have no more paintings to complete, no more press releases or Facebook and blog posts to put together, no more worrying about finishing everything by deadline. The deadline has come and gone, the paintings are hanging in the gallery, and all I need to do is figure out what I’ll be wearing to the two “big events”.
The first event happens tonight at the Sewell Gallery. It’s a fancy mixer, where potential patrons will mingle with the artists represented by the gallery. There’ll be food and booze and music and whatnot, and the gathering will provide the first audience for my new work. Arts Alive is tomorrow night and hundreds more people will come through the gallery. I already have butterflies.
These receptions are exhilarating and exhausting and sometimes depressing. A friend of mine – a fellow painter – had an opening a couple of months ago and someone said: “There’s only one painting in this whole show that’s worth a damn.” Someone else said: “I don’t usually care for your work, but this stuff isn’t too bad.” Of course, the compliments generally outweigh the stupid things people say, but the negative words are the ones that linger in an artist’s mind.
And there’s the concern that nothing will sell. Is anyone buying art these days? Even though I don’t paint to make money, it’s still thrilling to sell a painting. The revenue is always nice, but the real joy comes from the fact that someone appreciated my efforts enough to give one of my paintings a home.
We’ll see what happens. For now, I’ll put my worries and butterflies aside. I need to get ready for a party.
“Brick & Fire” 20″ x 20″ oil on canvas
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