Exhibition Reflections!

Having been a "product first" or art first kind of guy (it's really in my bones), I've spent all my energy on trying to improve and perfect what I create and what you guys see. I love interacting and talking with others too (especially about art), but that took quite a back seat to just - making good art -. If you've been following my work for awhile, you might notice that I rarely (read: almost never) interact online with other artists, or be very active at all outside of posting new work and announcing various related things.

I was locked into that mindset and it did give some admittedly good results. Perhaps you guys are here just because of that laser-like focus! In a way, that kind of incidental "insulation" also meant my self-perception did not change much. I always, and still mostly do, see myself as the small-time regular guy who likes drawing and sharing those. I don't believe I've ever made a "masterpiece", just enjoyable pictures once in a while. I see great work everyday and think: "Damn... If I could learn to get to that level" more often than you probably think.

Don't get me wrong, I'm fully aware of the opportunities I've been granted, due to a mixture of initial luck and your wonderful support in all the things I try to do. Persisting this long hasn't been easy in its own way, but it has always felt natural to me to keep doing what I like.

So with this giant preamble out of the way, I'd like to write a bit on the exhibition experience this time round!

Basically, it really changed the way I see my own work, and how much of an impact it has on others. It was immensely humbling to meet so many supporters, and some amazing artists who also visited. It didn't really sink in until just a few days ago (about 2 weeks after). Seeing and speaking to people directly really sort of shocked me (with a giant lag). Like any regular guy, I mostly just talk to family, friends, acquaintances in real life and that's about it. So to have really kind people take their time to visit and speak with me at the event really hit me hard. It's hard to describe in words, but to have people who enjoy what you make and give you their kind supporting words in person is powerful beyond what I expected.

In a way, all I can say is I really feel I've not properly earned this experience, and I'm only starting to appreciate it truly. Looking forward, my goal is to try my hardest to make this support feel deserved to myself.

On exhibitions themselves, before this I've always seen them as a cool opportunity that I'm very grateful for, but in a somewhat emotionally detached manner. Especially regarding solo exhibitions, I really underestimated the kind of trust and effort it takes for a gallery or an organizer to put that sort of bet on an artist. Being there physically for my own solo exhibition really changed how I see it. Rather than just something that can be "done from home" like the release of artbooks that can be ordered online (which is amazing in its own right too!!), it's a truly "in the flesh" event that takes so much physical effort by the staff, as well as support from all of you to make happen. I now feel it's really necessary to personally attend any future solo exhibition I might have the fortune of having. It's pretty much the least I can do to thank as many people as I can, for showing such support.

To sum up this entire post: Meeting people for real is really different, I really appreciate it and want to do it more!

p.s. I've somehow gotten myself sucked back into drawing a set again... so a set it will be for this month - coming up soon!