Photo Courtesy of Jessica Braun
It was a really nice time in Alexandria yesterday, doing my annual Gallery Talk at the Principle Gallery, an event we started doing in conjunction with the King Street Arts Festival twelve years ago. Got to spend some time with Jessica, Pam and Clint at the gallery which is always a treat. The actual talk, despite my normal pre-talk trepidations, went really well. At least that’s what people tell me– I never trust my own judgement on those things. But it was a full house with many familiar faces mixed with many new, a great group that made my job fairly easy, allowing me to be myself and be open and forthcoming. Of course, in the aftermath, I realized that I had missed several points and questions of my own that I had wanted to address but that’s okay as the voids were filled with their questions.
Sometimes, these questions from the audience are the best part for me and probably for them, as well. It is often the moist revealing part of the talk. After talking about how my fifth-grade art teacher had been a big influence on my work, especially the Archaeology series, a question came forward asking what advice I would now give to my fifth-grade self. My response was that I would tell myself to believe that I had a voice that was unique, that I had something to say to the world. I went on to talk about what finding this voice in art has meant to me, about how it empowered me and made me feel as though I had a role, a purpose in this world.
There’s more I could have added but that will have to wait until the next time.
The talk ended with the drawing for the painting and for several other gifts. That is always a lot of fun for me and for the audience. Well, at least the ones who win. I tried to tell them how much this giving meant to me, how I was actually the one who was walking away with more than I came with. That is absolutely true and for that I thank every one of those folks who chose to spend part of their Saturday with me at the Principle. The inspiration you provide is worth more than I can ever give in return.
And, of course, to Michele and the crew at the Principle, so many thanks for everything they have given me through the years– friendship, encouragement and a place to let my voice speak freely. It is more than appreciated. So, for some music, as is the norm on a Sunday morning here, I am sending out La Vie En Rose from Madeleine Peyroux.
Have a great Sunday…
Redtree Times 