“Pieces of Me II” Reception (Ottawa Public Library)

You Make My Heart Sing, Journal Page March 6 2010

For me, an artist’s work truly comes full circle when it engages people.  And so, it was a great joy to see my work take this route at the opening of my “Pieces of Me II” exhibition held this past Thursday at the main branch of the Ottawa Public Library.  There, a small, intimate group of family, friends, artist colleagues and library visitors gathered together to help me celebrate and launch my second solo exhibition.  I’ve been a part of much larger receptions at group shows before where I never had to worry about rounding up visitors, so I was quite nervous about hosting my own opening.  Initially, paranoid soul that I am, I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach that made me wonder if anyone would show up at all!  But when the first visitor arrived, a steady stream of others followed filling the evening with vibrant conversation and good times.  For those few hours, all the solitary hard work I put into the show seemed worthwhile as I shared conversations with my guests about life and the art of collage.  Thanks to all those who made it out… despite homework, their own personal crises and hectic work/life schedules – I truly appreciated your support and learned much from what you had to say.  Thanks too to those friends who took the time to congratulate me virtually as well as reviewing my website or show earlier – your support helped to make that day a very memorable one for me.  Here I especially want to thank some of my friends from the Shabooya and A Life By Hand groups for remembering me.  Finally, thanks to those anonymous library visitors who may have been too shy to say hello but still took the time to take in the show – I really appreciate your interest in my art! 

For those of you who missed the opening, the show is up until September 30, 2010.  I hope you will drop by, check out the exhibition and leave your thoughts.  As a special incentive anyone who leaves comments about the show along with their email address/home address (at the library or on line) will be eligible for a draw of a free small print of one of my works from the exhibition.  All the works from the show will be posted on my Portfolio website page on September 14, 2010.