A Thousand Ships show—Opening tonight!

Looking-at-you-2011

All of my preparation for the show is culminating tonight at Gallery Hanahou. I’m feeling such a range of emotion. I have worked hard to create all of the 175+ show pieces during a very difficult time in my life.

Losing my dad suddenly this summer was shocking, utterly heart wrenching and  almost made me think of giving up. So tonight I will be painfully aware that my dad is not there to see the show. He was looking forward to coming. I will also be so aware of all of the friends and loved ones that will be there. Many friends from my past and newer friends will be in attendance. My mom will be there, my husband will be there and I am so looking forward to meeting some of the lovely people I’ve worked with, doing what I love, illustration. Sometimes I can’t believe I get to do art as work.

If my work can make some of these people smile or at least feel something, even a fleeting emotion than I’m happy. If they connect with one of my characters from literature or a simple watercolor burst than I’m happy. I know that tonight will be overwhelming and exciting. I’m just sitting here thinking about how grateful I am to have people in my life who I love and care about and who will be there tonight to look at all my work.

I know that I will imagine seeing my dad across the room and what he’d say or not have to say about the work. This show is dedicated to his memory.