New Venues

In May I attended a mixer match for artists and gallery professionals.  The event was put on by the wonderful local I Heart Art group.  I have attended several of their workshops and now two mixer matches, and I can say that this organization does a great job of working with artists and providing us access to information and opportunities.  I was very excited with the results I got from this mixer match.  My dolls got great feedback, and four galleries were very interested in having them at their venue.

The first new venue I've placed the dolls in is the Bush Barn Gallery in Salem.  I was thrilled when I walked into this space.  Spacious and inviting, it calls the visitor inward with light, color, and the beautiful artwork displayed.  I immediately got the sense that this would be a good place for my dolls.  The gallery representative, Tatyana, also strongly encouraged me to submit a proposal to do a show at the gallery.  Seeing the three show spaces they have, I began dreaming up the different kinds of work that could be displayed in each space.  I am excited for my future!

Until then, here are some new dolls along with a few old favorites, that I took with me to Salem.

 

Opening a New Door

It had been a long time coming, brewing in my mind and soul.  Living with the indecision kept me in a state of inertia.  I knew what I ultimately needed to do, but agonized over the consequences of that decision.  A gathering of circumstances had led me to ponder my choices:

1. Life is short.  I first realized this when my dad passed away years ago at the age of 55, and I knew then it was important to follow your dreams sooner than later.  I started off all right, but then got sidetracked for twelve years.  This past year my supervisor's sixteen-year-old son tragically passed away and my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer.  Two more wake up calls I needed to heed.

2. My heart just wasn't in full-time teaching any more.  This concerned me greatly, as I was teaching at a school where the students truly needed fully committed teachers.  One retired teacher told me I needed to hang on for four more years for a decent retirement, but I knew I couldn't last, nor would it be fair to my students.  

And so I resigned from full-time teaching on the last day of school, with the "plan" of earning my living through art and substitute teaching.  The next day I went into a complete tailspin of panic.  What had I done, giving up that salary and those benefits?  What had I done to my daughters? How was I going to make it through August?  This went on for a week as I worked on cleaning out my classroom.  But then a little bit of serendipity came my way on a visit to the staff restroom.  We fondly call that particular restroom the Literacy Loo.  There's a small table in there, on which people set books they have read and want to share with others.  I picked up one of those books to read the recommendations on the dust jacket, and this book title caught my eye: The Road Less Traveled.  Naturally it brought to mind the poem by Robert Frost.  I have always loved that poem and all that it signifies, and I thought, "Yes, that's me - taking the road less traveled."  Suddenly I felt so much better.

August will still be shaky, but I know I have done the right thing - for myself, for my students, and for my daughters.  I believe I am empowering them to make better choices for themselves in their own lives.

Now as I return to my heart's path, I say good-bye to the road that I have been traveling for the last 11 years.

 childhood wonder

 sharing the joy of learning

 the delight of children

seeing them grow and turn into fine young people

I will still see my students when I return to sub, as well as my friends on this wonderful staff.  They are an amazing and truly dedicated group of people.  I hope to gain that same sense of passion as I embark on my path in art.