Thanks Free and JR!
I just got home from walking Elvis
to a bus stop and on the way we peeked in the windows at the show. I need to edit the notice above because they decided without warning to close the place on the weekends for the winter.
The opening was not a complete disaster but it also was not well attended, except for my friends who are wonderfully supportive. I don't know what I'd do without them!
In all honesty, I spent a portion of the evening stealing private moments to cry, but that's not unusual as openings are always emotional events for me. One reason I was sad was that in spite of countless assurances and accolades, in 6 years, I have not made much progress with the local art establishment. I'm showing in a coffee shop, and local writers have gone from making fun of me to ignoring me. This is one reason why I traveled to New York twice last year.
I was also sad that the crowds had obviously been cut to a third or a quarter of their usual number, on what was the first artwalk since our famed neighborhood artist building was evacuated. The Saloon, which is normally filled with nearly a hundred artists, collectors and creative types on any given First Thursday was host to barely two dozen people. I literally sat at the bar and cried. One of the poor evicted artists took it upon himself to comfort me, something I feel quite ashamed about now. I should have been comforting him! He had had no studio opening that night! He assured me that we will eventually rebuild artwalk.
The highlight of my evening was addressing 3 high school students who accompanied an artist friend who is also a collector and teacher, to my opening. They read my artist statement and one of them, who had been a fan of
The United States of Tara show, asked me several questions about dissociation. It was fantastic to be able to correct some misinformation about DID in a one-on-one setting. We also spoke about the OWS protests, the environment, and their futures. I had a chance to outline may of the difficulties they face, and also to say that I cared. That was great!
Oh, and I may have sold a painting, but the fellow is haggling with me. We'll see.
The show is extended through November so I'll be there again next First Thursday. Maybe it will be more celebratory.