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| "Tuesday Morning, 9:30 a.m." by Mel Kolstad (me!) |
For those of you who hadn't heard via Facebook or Flickr or e-mail, the co-op group in Fond du Lac, of which I am a founding member (and so is Brian), opened our first exhibit today called "Exposure", at the Windhover Center for the Arts. Our group is called Fond du Lac Visual Arts and we eventually will be taking members. There are six of us in the group and we each are displaying about 6 or 7 pieces.
It's all sort of surreal. Considering that I still have a hard time with the "artist" moniker, I'm flabbergasted that I get to have my own works in a show! With the exception of one piece, I made all new works specifically for the exhibit. I know me and I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator, so I purposely started on my pieces early, like back in June. That way I'd have time to get them all framed, if needed be. I'm happy to report that I had all of the pieces done and framed two weeks ahead of schedule.
The staff at the Windhover did an amazing job of hanging the show; we all placed our pieces how we wanted them on Monday, and the staff came in yesterday and did the rest. It was so exciting to see MY name up on the wall along with all of my new art. I'm a little anxious about it - of course, those little voices I hear have a tendency to place doubt. What if nobody likes my work? What if they call it "amateur"? What if people balk at the prices I've set? What if, after viewing my stuff, they're just not impressed?
I'm going to bet that there will be people who just don't care for my stuff. What I have to keep telling myself is that it's okay if they don't like it! They don't have to like it. Only I have to like it, because I made it. If they like my work, wonderful! That would be fantastic! But if they don't? Oh well. I just don't want to hear it said to my face. :D
One last thing - I am so very excited that Brian is a part of this group as well! All of his photographs turned out amazing. The images he chose to be framed are spot-on fabulous. It's a very professional grouping, and I hope he knows how talented he is. I hope he knows what I mean when I say I am very proud of him and what he's accomplished this year as well. It means more to me than anything that we get to do this together!
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How exciting Mel! I wish I could see it in person!
ReplyDeleteThank you Dianne - how nice of you to say! :D
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Yes, now you are an exhibitionist! :D I will do my best to get up to Fondy this winter! Just nag me ;o)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your show!
ReplyDeleteMel, I seriously will get there. Am EXCITED about getting there.
ReplyDeleteAnd Mel, I think it's very, very, cool that you and Brian share THIS experience and more to come as far as your individual artistic talents.
And Mel, as far as your "inner doubts" about your artist moniker... get over it. LOL! I see "happy" in your creations. I also see enthusiasm, curiosity, humor and a simplicity of implementing those attributes. I can't think of a piece you have done (that I have seen) that has not made me smile, "remember" or be uplifted by. You're such an encourager of others too and promotor of the arts in general without aloofness. You're a definite blessing to the Fond du Lac art community not only for your creations, but for your enthusiastic communication of events and opportunities. You're like the Energizer Bunny of the local art community. :-)
Carolyn - I hope you can make it! We'll do lunch. :D
ReplyDeleteNHA - thanks so much! :D
Sharon - I don't know what to say. Thank you so much. I appreciate all of these comments more than you know. It means so much to me.
Mel - I like your work, and I think the way you're pursuing your dream is awesome.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your exhibit!
Dave, that's so very nice of you to say! Thank you so much. It's been a wonderful year!
ReplyDeleteI had a feeling you'd like this piece - just a hunch. :D