Realistic Expectations

© 2022 Deborah Curtis Designs. All rights reserved.

“Contemplation.”

This post is about expectations. When I found out I was going to be preparing for my first Michigan art exhibition, and close to my hometown of Vicksburg — I had so many emotions running through me. Even as I write this, it all seems like a blur.

At first, I was exhilarated. Then, I had some doubts creep in. The reality was staring me in the face. Was I ready? Did I have a body of work ready to go? Was I, myself, ready for public scrutiny? I just shoved the negative feelings down deep. Not to hide them or run from them. It was just to put them on hold until I could face them. I still had to drive home!

Since I had not completely unpacked from my big move last year, I went home and started reviewing my inventory. What did I have from the past that I either did not want to sell or it didn’t sell? The community room was big. Could I put enough products together to fill the room and make it worth the library’s time?

I sat on my sofa, wondering what was I doing? I really did not have much to put toward the exhibition. I had to create an ambitious plan and get on it ASAP!

I set about deciding on how many paintings I would paint, what sizes I would paint, and what I would charge. I knew that I wanted to give my local community the lowest prices I could as an introduction to both me, and my work.

These are hard-working, blue-collar families. I couldn’t expect sales at prices like I could get when I lived in Arizona. This was an agricultural community. A hard-working factory community. Yes, there are pockets of more affluent art buyers, but my exhibition was for the main body of my community. I wanted to make art available to everyone. So I got to work.

I ordered canvases in 3 sizes, coated hanging wire, D-rings, paint, cardstock, and so on. I started to feel overwhelmed. I created a very ambitious plan. What was I getting myself into?

When everything arrived, it all became very real. It was “in my face.” So, I began to create compositions. I decided to split them into my two main categories: Farmhouse Decor and Lake Cottage designs. I chose these two main design choices based on my own history, my local market, and what felt right in my heart. These were humble choices

I also made peace with myself. I would do all that I could do, but I would not sacrifice the quality or my integrity. I could live with the possibility that I would not be able to complete all the paintings I had planned. I would be okay.

“The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”

-- Robert Burns

I planned my compositions. I began sketching and transferring my designs. I began painting.

I’ve learned that I just need to do it. Once I start painting, I am compelled to finish. I stay with it until my signature. The painting in this post is called “Contemplation.” It depicts my emotions after my husband’s Memorial Service and my move to my new community. I was feeling just like the painting. At the end of the day, I tried to clear my thoughts. Be at peace. Sitting quietly. Contemplating what comes next.

After completing the painting, I felt pretty confident. The librarian had said that I had to give him about one month’s notice as to when I would be ready. The ball was in my court, so to speak. Until, it wasn’t.

Be blessed, be well.