Artist Recap: My First Exhibition Opening
Not only does it still feel surreal to even call myself an artist, but I don’t know if I ever thought I’d be writing a recap about my very own art exhibition.
All photos by the immensely talented Brooklyn Wagner.
HOLY FEELINGS FRIENDS! I definitely choked up writing this.
It’s been almost two months (dad life, give me a break) since February’s Frist Friday Art Walk here in Bend, aka the opening reception of my art show Beneath the Waves, and I thought it was high time I jot my feelings down in a recap of this dream-come-true art event.
It feels like the right time to reflect anyway seeing as just the other day, the paintings came down, the walls got spackled, and all the pieces got tucked away in my garage, ready to hang again.
Still feels like I’m riding the high of that opening night though.
The friends seriously came through big on this one. All throughout the night loved ones poured in in droves and the overall support from the community and the fantastic Scalehouse crew absolutely blew me away.
Even my therapist made an appearance!
Admittedly the night started off a bit stressful as I was also trying to pack to leave for Hawai’i the very next day. I was in full-on scramble mode getting my luggage all packed and trying not to mix up what I packing to bring to the opening. Being a First Friday event, I figured why not try to sling my shirts and prints as well!
But when everything was set up I really started to take in the unreal feeling of being surrounded by the art show I had spent 8 months pouring my heart & mind into.
I feel so unbelievably grateful for having all the space in Scalehouse’s studio for pure creative freedom, leading to making some large-scale pieces, a couple of which hit 8ft. I’d like to think my experience as a mural artist paid off working at that size!
But when the day finally came to take it all down, it was really special to have Kait & Casper come with me. It was amazing to all see it one last time and felt serendipitous that both the new incredible artists-in-residence working in the Patricia Clark Studio were there painting away. I feel very fortunate that they didn’t mind me lugging my large works of art through the space one last time.
There really are too many people to thank for this exhibition happening and this opening night art show going down, but I’ll just say that from everyone I saw on a near daily basis, to those who came to show, to those I merely crossed paths during the residency, I promise I see you and immensely appreciate you.
Now it’s time to start working on the next show!
