I had no intention of being an artist. I was a chef for 15 years but somehow that never felt like a creative outlet. So when I discovered the Women of Strength series, it took me by surprise and it took me over. I painted the women non-stop. So when the manager at West Elm Montreal contacted me about possibly doing a calligraphy workshop {she followed me on instagram}, I told her that I wasn't quite at that level yet.... but I have these paintings... could I show them at a pop-up? I had no idea what I was doing but I knew how to create an event so I focused on that. I sent out invitations to anyone and everyone I could think of, whether or not I knew them personally. I got the paintings framed and packaged, set up my square and waited for the masses to arrive. Oddly enough, they did come and they did buy and that first whirlwind event was my before and after moment. For all of that first year, I said yes to everything presented to me. Can you paint those women in CHOCOLATE? Yes, I used to be a chef, no problem {it turned out to be very challenging but tons of fun!} Can you do live painting at our fashion event? Yes that sounds like fun! Can you paint 10 canvases for an event in Toronto? Absolutely I would love to come to Toronto to paint. {I found out months later that it was for the Canadian launch of Essie's Gel Couture line!!!} In that first year, I said yes to every event that came up and each opportunity reinforced that people enjoyed my work. It was so gratifying to feel like I had finally found that passion that people talk about. I was 40 but I felt like I was 20, I held the world in my hands. I just had to say yes.
It was by no means a typical first year and my years since have not been nearly as full. But it reminds me that there are opportunities waiting for me if I make myself available. That each chance to show brings something. And that one of the reasons I choose to create is to share it with the world. I have to say yes, get uncomfortable, try something different and then say yes to the next thing. |
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November 2019
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