Our FIRST ~ First Friday Ashland Artwalk

This entry is in celebration of our Studio 8 finally feeling together!! Ashland has a monthly "First Friday Artwalk" which is usually well attended between locals and visitors (especially during the Shakespeare Theatre Season, March through October). Since the Art Center has not officially had it's Grand Opening yet, I wondered how well attended this event would be.

We'd worked through our "sun challenge" where the bright, full sun flooded over our original watercolor and pastel paintings. We found we couldn't use curtains or UV protective film in the windows so finally found a way to flip all four of our work/display positions. In the new arrangement Bonnie and my originals aren't hit by direct sunlight and Thalia and Lindsey's jewelry sparkles in the direct light. A perfect solution!

Having all us four studio-mates together, the first time since the contract signing, felt festive. We gathered around 5pm to get the studio ready, spread out our light refreshments (ginger snaps, cream cheese and apples) and I continued working on a collaborative piece I'm doing with two other wonderful women artists (but that's a whole other post). By 6pm the place was swarming with curious faces and warm smiles of friends who'd come to congratulate.

I loved chattering with people, showing them the process of this combined artistic effort in my collaborative piece and introducing them to my studio mates. Many had never been into the Art Center before and were awed at the size, layout and potential for the community and artists! I, personally, have found that this decision to "take that leap" and rent this space (which has included: stepping out into a more public venue, communicating with peer artists, sharing my thoughts, processes and dreams) has been one of the best things I have done. I'm feeling rewards of independence, integration and invigoration, tumbling at me faster than I could have imagined.

I thank you for following these misadventures of this adventurer through life. My only hope is that by my escapades I can encourage, even motivate another to try new things in life. The benefits are unfathomable. Come on . . . join me!