i took a gap year…PLUS!
I mentioned in the VERY FIRST blog post that I am not good at blogging. I was never a diary writer when I was younger nor was it something that interested me much. As I got older, I thought it might be nice to look back at certain times and read my thoughts etc…..but alas. As you can see from the dates here, two years have passed since my last blog post. Now….I do have to give myself some credit as I did do some audio journaling on my phone but not here. I’m motivated to put something here tonight as a lot has happened this week. The last real BIG show I did was back in Sept of 2022 at the Clifton Forge School of the Arts and it was a success. Fast forward to this year when I began putting work in shows at the local brewery, Brewers Kettle. This week I sold my first piece from one of their shows. I also joined as an artists at Red Dog Gallery in Winston Salem. I had submitted art before but was always passed up. Honestly, I had somewhat given up on possibly showing there. However, they contacted me to let me know that the pieces I submitted this time were getting into their “harvest of color” show. Tonight was the reception. I was a nervous wreck all day if I am being 100% honest. I even thought about NOT going. I am so glad I garnered the courage to go. We drove to Winston-Salem and grabbed a bite at a local spot on Trade Street. Nerves still at 100! Then as we approached the gallery we saw a couple of friends and my nerves began to subside a little. We walked up to the gallery and as we approached the door I stopped and simply said “OH GOD!” As we approached the door, straight in front of us was ALL three of my pieces. Clearly placed to make a statement. I had to stop for just a second. We walked in and met the gallery owner Gwen who is a wonderful person. She asked if I was an exhibiting artist and I said yes…she asked “Are you AE Reed?” and I said yes….. She was well aware it was my first time showing in their space. We wandered around for a bit and I could hear her speaking with someone and she said something about a “red dot”. Now in art world…it’s either a red or blue dot and that means SOLD!!!!! I took a deep breath and then I heard her tell someone, “The artist is actually here right now” and my heart dropped. I went around the corner to see a lady who I now know is named Debbie. Debbie was buying my art. A moment I didn’t think would happen. A moment that eased every single nerve I had in my body. In one week, I had sold two pieces of art. In one night, I went from feeling slightly insecure and wanting to retreat into a cave to walking with grace and confidence and realizing I deserve to be in this space. As I approach my next show here in High Point, many of the nerves and concerns are gone. Yes, I am carrying the show solely on my shoulders but I know what I have created in the last month and a half is what it is at this point……and I am proud of the show! -@
