Episode 6: The Exhibit of A Lifetime

Peek into episode six of The Exhibit

First and foremost, if you have been with me through this entire journey, or if you are just tuning in, I want to say THANK YOU! I am so grateful for the outpouring of support from friends and strangers alike. I am grateful that I got the opportunity to share some of myself and my art with the world, and I know this is just the beginning!

Episode six is the final episode in season one of The Exhibit. They may not have mentioned this on the show, but the sixth commission, a self-portrait, was actually a surprise. We were under the impression that number five was the last one. Coming into the studio that day to work on a self-portrait felt like the final reflective assignment on the last day of school before you leave for the summer. We didn’t have the opportunity to think about this one too much in advance, and honestly, the stakes felt much lower at that point. I think we were mostly just having fun by then. I had accomplished a lot already, and I was proud of the work I made. So what's one more besides another opportunity to make a painting in a super creative environment?

I didn’t try to go deep with this one. I just used the mirror they provided and did a fast freehand painting of myself. When I compare my work to some of the others, I can see how my style can be classified as “classical.” I’m not mad at that. Classical painting is the only style I’ve been formally exposed to. In addition to the portrait, I created a close-up painting of the Hearse Driver, the main character in the story I’ve been telling throughout the show. I felt this was a good opportunity to offer an ending or rather an “until next time” type of message. The judges understood that without explanation.

Here For Now: 24”x24” oil on canvas. A self portrait.

Of course, I could have made it to the Hirshhorn Ball, but after seeing the event in the episode, I understand how the kind of art I created on the show may not have been the best fit for that audience. However, I’m glad I was able to touch so many people with my work in previous episodes. I have learned a tremendous amount from this experience, which I am referring to as an artist residency - at least, that is the purpose it served for me! This experience has been a catalyst for growth in my practice as well as in my network, and I can’t express enough how happy I am to have been chosen. Congrats to the final three and to the winner! What they did was not easy by any means.

Moving forward, you may see my work change a bit *smile and wink.* I have some new things brewing, and I’m excited to share all of them with you. As far as this newsletter, I will be writing less frequently, but you can still expect to receive updates, announcements, and invites to future events. Look out for new limited edition print runs and please feel free to reach out to me directly.

Until next time,

P.S. Check out the latest Studio Noize podcast. My co-cast member Jamaal and I chop it up about competing on The Exhibit, how I learned to oil paint, my vision for an art career, what it’s like working a full-time corporate job and trying to be a full-time artist, networking advice for emerging artists, and building a career and family at the same time.