I have had something on the back burner for a few weeks and, just to be certain I have pounded all the life from this old metaphor, it has started to boil. It is time to drop a few hints. Why bother with a few hints, you ask? Why even bring it up if I can't tell the whole story? Obviously, you haven't been reading my blog very long. Otherwise, you surely know me better than to expect hardcore reasoning on matters of the heart. And this is a matter of the heart.
As for why only hints, this venture is a partnership. This isn't just my story to tell and many details are unsettled, so I need to wait until I can "spill the beans". I am only good at keeping other people's secrets. Any secret you shared with me might as well be stored at Fort Knox. I carry around secrets that are decades old. I have held onto some secrets until I forgot I ever knew the information in the first place. On the other hand, if it involves me, I am a veritable blabbermouth. If I don't drop some hints, the pressure will build in my poor little brain and I can't handle the extra stress.
Now you know why, here is the what. For the last few weeks, I have been conspiring with my friend C to take some control over showing our work. C is a painter whose work I like very much and C is a delight. It is a great combo. On Saturday, we took the plunge. We pitched our idea to the owner and manager of a local winery. When I returned and walked in our back door, The Husband asked, "How did it go?" My response was, "It couldn't have gone any better unless Chuck (the owner) had written us a check purchasing all the art in advance."
I don't know much—which is helpful to a blabbermouth, but I know we are investigating the viability of scheduling this for October 1. (Yikes, that's close.) The manager will investigate possible conflicts with local events as well as events that might complement ours. This I know for certain: I suddenly have to switch gears. Big chunks of my time must be devoted to printing, matting and framing. There will be publicity to organize and a million (well, almost) decisions to make. Work not yet finished will have to be shelved for the moment. That won't be easy.
The best part of this, in my mind, is that we have taken action. Whatever happens from this point forward is a bonus. We fretted over so few opportunities to show that didn't involve membership fees and restrictive contracts, or waiting for the once-a-year Bear Valley Springs show. And, we took matters into our own hands. It feels good to have taken the step. It is going to be an interesting few weeks.
The first step taken is always the most important part of any journey!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! You love your projects and this sounds like a great one! Thanks for relieving some of that pressure! :)
ReplyDeleteSteve - That is certainly true for me in this type of endeavor. It took us a while to pull it together and take the plunge.
ReplyDeletePaul - I do love projects, don't I? I have to admit that I don't always finish all of them—indeed, some never go beyond the "I have an idea" stage; but, I seem to need to begin many to complete a few. It is a peculiar way to work, but that seems to be how I am built. Yeah, getting rid of some of that pressure was a health consideration.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I hope your show is a smashing success. With images like this, how could it not!
ReplyDeleteRoberta - You are so kind. Thank you for the good wishes, and I am delighted that this image appeals to you.
ReplyDeleteWonderful idea and I'm sure it will be successful. It strikes me your work will show well in a winery environment and will be complimentary to paintings. Oct will be here before you know it...no pressure!
ReplyDeleteEarl - Thank you for the welcome encouragement. It certainly seems like a good environment to me. The winery is in a beautiful location looking out over our neighoring valley, the Cummings Valley. Don't I know how close October is! Just a wee bit of pressure.
ReplyDeleteThis has success written all over it. A person with your dedication and talent will surely be successful. I've been following your work for almost a year now and I don't envy the decisions you have to make for the exhibition. My only regret is that I will be unable to attend.
ReplyDeleteKen - What a lovely thing to say. Since I can always use encouraging words to power me through, I appreciate the cmpliments. I, also, regret that you cannot attend. I think about that sometimes—what a shame it is in a way, that we are all so spread out. I continue to be amazed at how close I feel to people I have never seen, people with voices I have never heard. I would like to have your voice be part of that day's conversation.
ReplyDeleteWay to go!!! And, congratulations. I'm excited to hear how it all turns out as well as experiencing such an event. I've never done any thing like that, and to be honest never thought about doing something like that. I'm excited!
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderfully exciting news. Well done, Anita! I would believe this is how I learnt to know you, two years back. Living it out, fully!
ReplyDeleteA love the image and that title, btw! :-)
ReplyDeleteMonte - As Paul observed, I am always getting myself into something. You aren't the only one who is eager to see how this turns out! The thing is, regardless of how this show goes, I am apt to want to try again, because we got a "yes" on our proposal. Either I am an incurable optimist, stubborn, or too dense to get certain messages. Probably a combination of all those things.
ReplyDeleteIn so many ways you are fortunate that your mind doesn't work this way. X
Ove - Thank you for your response. I think I was preparing for a show about two years ago. As for "Living it out fully", time is growing short. I am determined to make the most of it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the thumbs up on the title. Do you struggle, occasionally, for new titles for you posts? I certainly do! I am so glad you like the image. My love affair with those foothills coninues to flourish. T
I love the delicate colours in this picture. Good luck with your new venture!
ReplyDeleteJourney Photographic - Welcome! Thank you for visiting. I am delighted to hear from you and appreciate the comment on the photo. I have long been drawn to deep, rich colors; but, recently, I find myself gravitating towards these more delicate colors. I am not sure where I am headed with that.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the good wishes. Good luck is definitely big on my wish list. I hope you will visit again.