December First Thursday

My first First Thursday went well, as I mentioned in an earlier post. My pieces looked the way I wanted them to, everyone was very nice and I met some great people. However, I was a nervous wreck from start to finish.

From the minute I got the first email from the curator to the end of that opening night I worried about - well, basically everything I could imagine going wrong I worried about. What can I say? I'm a worrier by nature. But, thankfully, nothing did go wrong. Everything was fine.

Now I'm happy to say that I've been invited back to the same gallery for December's First Thursday. I'll be in the main gallery again, this time for a group showing. It's going to be set up as a "You should consider buying art this holiday season" kind of show, with each artist showing 3-5 pieces priced under $100. It's a lot less stressful than the first show, so it will be nice to just let it be fun.

I'm not 100% sure what I'm going to put up this month. This month's show is all urban, street themed so I want to do something really different from that. Well, I have a little while to decide. I'll put up a link to the flyer when it gets a little closer to the opening night date for those who may be interested in checking it out.

The Holidays!

They're here again!

I've totally already got the Christmas spirit. It's awesome. I started decorating the house today. Our little fake tree is so pathetic, but we love it.

This is the first year we get to have Christmas in beautiful Oregon. We lived here last year, of course, but we were in California for Christmas, with family. I don't think I ever got the Christmas spirit in 2005. So sad. Stress sucks.

But this year I have Christmas planned to the hilt. Christmas ships, Christmas trolleys, Christmas trains, Trees, Tree lightings, Holiday Bazaars - you name it, we're getting our holidays on at it. It would be nice if snow made an appearance or two this season (*hint, hint*)

And so, for the first time in 2006 - *~* Happy Holidays, all! *~*

Please Vote

Here in OR we have the pleasure of voting whenever we damn well please. I voted today. Please vote. Thank you.

...Rain.

Well, First Thursday was definitely much more fun for me than First Friday.

It makes sense - if the rain is going to decrease the artsy traffic during a big event like First Thursday it's likely to completely decimate the decidedly smaller goings-on of First Friday. Still, I got the work out and showed it to some people. Met some nice artists. And that's what these artsier (versus markety) events are about for me right now.

Unfortunately, I had this blinding headache for hours last night. I'm sure that made me come off a big edgier than usual. Feeling a lot better today, just somewhat tired. I'm glad I have a few days to prepare for the next event, an Arts & Crafts Bazaar in Fairview. It is also the Bureau of Emergency Communication's 911 Awareness event, so it's nice to be supporting a good cause whilst peddling my wares.

Oh, good news, too - minutes ago I got an email...and I was accepted into the inaugural season of Portland's Sunday Art-Mart! Advertised as "Like the Saturday Market - only bigger!" it is going to run on Sundays from July through October. I've really wanted a regular event like this, so I am very happy!

Hours of Gallery Fun

The show last night went really well. I am exhausted today from so many hours of standing and chatting and being charming.

And it goes on - tonight I'm at Elemental Arts for First Friday (6035 SE Milwaukie for the locals) which should be fun - probably a little more low key than last night, but I'm not sure.

Not a lot of time to update, unfortunately. More tomorrow, I'm sure. Above and below are a couple of favorite pictures from last night.

Finally - First Thursday

Tonight's the night!

Last night the curator emailed me to let me know that if I wanted to I could write an "Artist's Statement" for the show. I couldn't come up with anything that didn't sound incredibly unoriginal or insanely pretentious so I think I'll just let the show ride on me saying things like, "I take pictures. I like taking pictures. Do you like my pictures?"

Last night I attended a Flickr meetup. (I would say something like, "Oh my god I'm such a nerd!" but I hate when people say that so I won't.) It was my first real life gathering of photographers - it was pretty neat seeing the range of equipment people would drag out in the rain to show off. Some awesome digital SLRs, some film gear I had no idea about, and even a pinhole camera made out of a paint can.

I've read about how there is this photography movement that is reacting to the increasing level of technology with each passing generation of digital cameras by becoming increasingly low-tech. Lots of pinhole cameras, holgas, lomos, etc. There were definitely people at the meetup last night that fit that bill.

I'm glad I went. I made some new camera friends, and a few even said they would try and make it to the opening tonight. I hope to see some bright and shiny blogger faces there as well! Come on - it'll be fun!