I Can Fill One Too
The exhibit as featured artist at The Gallery at Elemar came to a close. I had to remove my art from the stage where the featured artist exhibits the work. It is someone else’s time to use the stage. My work was on stage since November 2014. I still show my work there. As I was moving stuff around and trying to figure out my exhibit area I was thinking about Pablo Picasso and his quote, “Give me a museum and I’ll fill it.” I can fill one too. Maybe a museum is too big for me but I’m sure I can fill a gallery or a studio.
I have more than 10 pieces on display at the gallery and about 20-30 other pieces at home ready for show and sale. I definitely need to start seriously considering studio space where I can display all these pieces and where I can have workshops and the sculpting and painting parties. That is definitely my 5-year plan but I guess I should consider making it a 3-year plan. I enjoy the sculpting and painting parties at Cafe Atlantique and all the other places, and the workshops at the Seniors Center, and I don’t see what those can’t continue even when having a studio space. However, I do need working studio space and having my own may provided a greater flexibility and expansion in the kind of workshops I can offer. Nevertheless, I hope to keep traveling and teaching despite having the studio or not. One thing can be done without dismissing the other.
I’ve been thinking about a figure study workshop and open figure drawing nights for a while. That I would love to do on a regular basis. Also, the studio space could be great for all the private classes. I could also hold open studios and show openings. It would be amazing to be able to present the new collection along with the book in a place like that. There is so much to dream about. That is the first step to make it a reality. Dream on, my friend.
This event was a lot of fun. There were very talkative children and very quiet ones. I was worried the kids in the first group would use all the clay leaving nothing to the second group. Their creations were very imaginative and they produced one thing after another. Some challenged themselves creating large pieces. The girls created less and smaller pieces than the boys but focused on providing details to the pieces. The first workshop was very dynamic and entertaining. We talked about cartoons, movies, made jokes about out names, music, and some of them were even singing at times. The second group presented a different dynamic.
There is so much more to it than just sculpting. People discover a new way of relaxing and having a good time. The opportunity to socialize is great since people can’t really be on their phones that much unless they want clay all over it. Above all of that there is a sense of challenge and satisfaction that grows inside. You can see it in their faces. They are challenging themselves to transmit to their hands what they see with their eyes and what they perceive with their minds. Once immerse in it time flies by. Two hours don’t seem enough when people is having fun.
For me is a little longer than two hours. I have to prepare the bases we use, make sure the supplies are ready, and get there earlier to set up. During the party I’m trying to keep them entertained telling stories and making jokes (that’s the stand up comedy reminiscences in me). At the end I stay longer to help clean up and organize. It is a lot of work and not as easy as it might look, but I love it so much. Those smiles at the end are so satisfying to me. It is worth every minute of it. The comments the day after and beyond are very encouraging. Can’t wait to do it again.
Ten Days Later
“Daddy, this is the first day we don’t have a thing to do after school.” Ten days ago I posted about how exhausted I was. We were moving and it was not easy. Moving is never easy.
You win in some ways and you lose some things. I believe that it is mostly wins. The things you lose are opportunities to move forward. Now I don’t have studio space to work on my sculptures, but that could be just enough motivation to look forward to open a studio where people can see the art displayed, learn, and have fun with art. For now, I am having a lot of fun traveling and extending the sculpting and painting parties outside of Milford. 
Yes, I still do it in Milford and it is going wonderfully. During the moving process I also had the chance to present on Online Media Tips for Artists, to participate in a basketball tournament, help dome friends, take the kids to their basketball games, and continue with our family activities. Ten days later I am writing again. I am thankful for the messages and the people still visiting the page waiting for the next post. 
I also keep drawing daily, because not having a studio space is not an excuse for not having studio time. Soon I’ll be sharing about other wonderful things happening this year.
There is no reason to be afraid or resistant to changes in life. We are changing every second of every minute, of every hour, of each day. Trying to maintain a constant life without change is virtually impossible. We age and that in itself is constant change. When I look at the wins and loses of change I feel confident that changing is for better. Transitions are always difficult and it is possible that stress and anxiety could cloud our vision and disorient us. It is important to take a moment to rest, consider the current situation, and focus on the next steps toward the future. In the process we might have to reconsider our goals and plans. The plans we made and the goals we set at the beginning of the year might not apply as planned. We need to review, revise, and adapt. Flexibility towards change, coping skills, and self-regulation are important aspects to succeed in life. Take a chance and move on.
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