Preparing for my First Exhibition

This is my first self-booked exhibition that has not been organised by a college/university and mandatory to partake in, there is a lot riding on this for me emotionally and creatively.

Since leaving university and starting my first every Monday-Friday corporate job, I've struggled a lot with creating. I used to take great pride in the fact I had never experienced "art block" and I assumed it was due to endless amounts of inspiration.

This idea has really crumbled and I've found myself struggling to pick up a paint brush or pencil.

Attempting to connect with myself creatively in the same space I work (work from home job) and live was really difficult for me. I was facing issues with space management/storage and general exhaustion.

Leading up to some booked time off work, I just decided to go for it. I had an idea in my head for a still life containing some lewd objects in a baroque-ish style. Instead of making excuses and stalling, I took myself to the shop nearby and bought a pomegranate - my original muse. I got home and began playing around with composition. Once I had something I was happy with I just started. That is always the hardest part me to - just putting brush to canvas and doing it.

Once I started, I almost instantly felt a sense of relief and return to myself. The time I spent working on the piece was actually enjoyable, which is something I hadn't experienced in months.

Part the way through my painting the open call was posted for the International Women's Day exhibition hosted by Agora. It was something I'd seen before but I was never in the position to apply, I was usually busy working or creating for university. This time, it was doable.

I seen one of the creators encouraging people to apply even if their work was still in progress.

At the time, I hadn't even finished one object in the trio but decided no harm could come from throwing my work in the submission box.

To my surprise, I got the email confirming my spot in the exhibition.

After months of struggling to focus on my dream of being an artist, this felt like a call to action and a confirmation that I can success as long as I'm fully in it - caring about the work I produce.

Now, as the day approaches I get to throw myself head first into the creative-full-time-artist process and I couldn't be happier.

I feel like an artist.

Not an art student, an artist.

I can't wait for the night I get to share my joy and work with so many of my friends and family.