The Creative Life - Barbara Trovillo

Ha ha.....quite a build up, eh? Well, that's how I felt this week.

My New's Years Eve resolution was to arrange at least 6 places to show my work this year.

Last year was a wash. We were caught up in fixing and selling a rental property, then dealing with damage from surprise flooding here on Pleasant Hill where we live. I continued with my daily painting practice but could not manage arranging ways to get the work out into the public view.

I am determined to not let that happen again this year!

I am making good progress turning that resolve into reality. So far, I have 4 opportunities arranged. One is the Spring Member's Only Exhibition at Crossroads Art Gallery in Richmond, VA, March 21 through May 4. The other is a Guest Artist Show at the Art Depot in Crozet VA,  August 1 running through the month. I am Wait Listed for the Crozet Arts and Crafts Show that happens every Mother's Day Weekend. Out of the blue, I got called to hang work at the Shenandoah Art Center's Summit Square Gallery in Waybesboro VA starting March 18 through May 20!

I worried, realizing the commitment at the Summit Gallery would overlap with the Crozet Arts and Crafts weekend. I was concerned I may not have enough inventory. I have 3 paintings in Richmond now and 14 set aside to go to Waynesboro.

After counting the remaining work available, I was surprised to realize I have almost 30 more pieces available to show!

BOOM! I have a BODY of WORK!!  Seriously, I did not realize. I just kept painting, framing, and piling them up.

My husband was not surprised....I guess I was so engrossed in the work, I did not notice. I am beyond pleased and motivated to keep going. I still have at least 2 more venues to arrange AND I will need paintings to fill those wall spaces! 

The lesson to me is that Focus and Perseverance pay off.

There were times last year when I felt like I was wandering in the wilderness. Other than my inner compulsion/passion to paint, was there an endgame?! I would shake it off and continue, knowing the way would show itself eventually. Oh, Happy Day!

Happy Creating!