A feeling of Accomplishment

Ahhh, late freight Suzie here. Comin’ at ’cha with an update review on the opening night of my first art exhibit at the Frank Bette Center for the Arts. I was asked to get pics of this event. My attempt at taking pictures soooo failed! They were all blurry!...hey, I suck at this, OK? *smile* But I managed to salvage a few from the wreckage.

First, I would like to thank Debra Owen, Executive Director of the Frank Bette Center for the Arts for her encouragement, and in giving me the opportunity to exhibit in the Gallery. And to all of you who sent well wishes and words of encouragement out into the universe to me. Believe me, I got them all. And thank you to Jannie (Spine of a fish) for going with me on Friday and holding my hand and giving me live support. That meant so much to me dear friend.

Deb and Jannie

To Jen Baker for giving me awesome spiritual pointers on keeping myself grounded. Thanks and blessings to the Thompson family who came out in the rain to support me too. Driving up and down Lincoln Ave. but could not find the Gallery (they are not night drivers, I’m not either), I so admire your efforts and tenacity. 1000 Blessings of Good Karma to you all!

It rained on and off on Friday and I wasn’t expecting too many people to come out for the event. But it got packed as time went on. I was oh so nervous but excited the whole day. The rains had let up a bit by the time Jannie and I got there, around 7ish. We walked inside the door and I was blown away at the transformation of the whole place! My goodness, we have some amazing artists who live here.

Christopher (in the white shirt and cap) a first time Exhibiting Artist too.
An awesome photographer

The Gallery team of volunteers did an excellent job with the display of the artist’s works. Every piece was strategically placed so the viewers could get the full taste of the delicious eye candy being displayed. They know what they're doing. Three of my pieces were placed right at the sofa. So when you sat down, you could turn and see right inside at all the details of them. There was a Hellboy painting there that I sooo drooled over.

A generous amount of good vibes were bouncing off the walls, with wine and foods to nibble on along with a guitarist’s serenade throughout the evening.

A little one dancing to the music

My nervousness settled as time went by and I talked with a few friendly folk who were there admiring the art on the walls and tables. There were a few exhibiting artists who were first timers and they were nervous just like me so I was in good company. It felt really nice to have people come up to me to say how much they liked my pieces.

You know, it’s interesting, I was gonna leave in the first hour. But wound up being one of the last three to leave. Ha! I had a good time. It was time to get on the freeway and get home. The feeling of accomplishment was running through me. I was beaming with a sense of pride. “Well done” I told myself as I drove home in the rain. “This was really big for you and you did it. Well done”. That was the first time in my life that I ever pat myself on the back. It felt really good. I felt just like a kid who had finished their first recital.

While driving home, the image of an ice cream cone along with a craving for one came into my vision and lit up my taste buds. Know what I did? I went to Foster’s Freeze to celebrate my accomplishment with a vanilla cone dipped in a chocolate shell. Just like a kid, huh? That was wonderful! Everything in me beamed. And when I got home, I found the most pleasant surprise at my door. It was a bouquet of flowers, a card, and a hand drawn picture from the Thompson's and their grandson. The whole night brought tears to my eyes. What a perfect ending to the night.

These beautiful flowers were waiting for me when I got home.

It was one of the best Friday nights that I had had in years. I am truly blessed.