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The reception at Southeastern Community College was great. I saw many faces that I haven’t seen in ages and some faces I see with regularity. There were faces there that were once very young faces to my recollection, but are now very grown up faces. I can’t believe how old I am getting!

During the 2 ½ hour drive back home after the reception I had the opportunity to reflect on the evening and my involvement with art. Throughout the day and during the artist talk I mentioned how I simply love making art just for the love of the process and that I would make art even if it wasn’t my chosen career path.

As an artist you face many challenges. It is a challenge to get your work out there. You worry about whether or not people like your work, or “get” your work, and even worry if people see you as a valid artist. Selling art is another beast of a challenge. I feel one role among many roles of the artist is to question things.  Question why we as artists do what we do and question why other artists do what they do and how our work affects not only us but those around us. In this sea of challenges I face as an artist my frustration gets the best of me and I consider the possibility of just making art for myself and giving up on the process of exhibiting it all together. After last night I changed my mind about that. I realized that my art isn’t just my art. It is meant to be shared. It really belongs to those I care about and it is my role to share it with (at least) those people who helped me make my art. By helping me, I mean those, who in one form or another, have played a part in why I do what I do and how I do what I do. I realize that my art making process doesn’t just involve me, some cameras, and some paper. Many of the people there at the exhibit and even those who couldn’t be there are a part of my art making process.

First of all, God gave me a talent to create and I should share it. End of story. I could stop there, but I feel God has put many people in my life to help me in my art making journey. My mom is a great place to start. I got the “love of making stuff” gene from her. We made stuff growing up and we still love to make stuff today. We didn’t really call it art because it was just part of our nature. My poor Dad, helped me out with the ridiculous amount of money it takes to get through art school. Thanks Dad. Ignorance is bliss.

My husband, Shannon, was there last night. I don’t know what I would do without him. He is my self-professed mule…helping me pack stuff up, unload the car, take the cameras here, set up lights there. He also tries to keep me from working too much. God knew what he was doing when he paired me with super laid back, leisure time loving Shannon.

No need to question if Mrs. Cheryl or Mrs. Ginny would be there. I can always count on them for love and support. They are just the type of ladies that just make you feel good.  Mr. Willard was there too. There are encouraging words I remember him telling me long ago that I still think about.

My sister couldn’t be there because of work, but somehow still got a video camera there through her husband Chris (Chris if you put that video up on YouTube it’s on like donkey kong.) Jill probably knew I wouldn’t ask anyone to video tape, so she took the initiative. Plus, she really doesn’t like to feel left out. My good friend Heather couldn’t be there, but her faithful prayers were felt. I can always count on her for prayers. She really means it when she says she will pray for you. I like that.

And of course, my long time friend LeAnn was there too. I really appreciated her (and Allisia too!) coming out.  On my first day of high school LeAnn came up to me (I was painfully shy) and said, “Do you want to sit with me?” We have been friends ever since.

I took my first art classes at Southeastern Community College with Mr. McCormick and Mr. Cole. I think it was the perfect place to start. I appreciate them giving me the opportunity to go back and share my art with people I care about and giving me an excuse to see so many familiar faces once again.