The artist and the fair

I have always been very creative. I was even an art major in college when I first started. As things happened, though, I went in other directions. I still love to paint, draw, color, and so much more. For many years when I was working, I could never make the time to paint. Now that my health has been better, I decided to finally scratch that itch.

I decided to do my first painting in years. It’s a simple one that is at a beginner level. It is a sun shining through a tree that has roots in the pattern of a triquetra. It came out pretty good.

This spring there seemed to be California poppies in bloom everywhere. Their brilliant yellows and oranges are so sunny and happy. I decided after taking numerous photos of them that poppies would be my next painting. This painting turned out great.

My excitement grew, as did my support from family and friends. Many of my friends didn’t realize that I was a painter, even though I have paintings that I did in high school and afterward hanging in my house. I guess they never looked at the name that was signed on the painting.

I decided to paint an image that I found on the internet for my third painting. Picture a female metal sculpture that is 55 feet high in the form of a dancer on its toes, bent back with her arms above her head. Beautiful, right? I saw this sculpture at Burning Man in 2013 and it captured my heart and interest. The image that I had admired for years though went a step further. It had this sculpture in front of the temple burn, which is an annual event at Burning Man. So now imagine this awesome fire behind and it’s light permeating through the sculpture. Wow. This was my third painting. I was so happy to get the fire in the painting to feel and look and like fire. The sculpture there in front look like a goddess dancing in elation of the reverence of the moment.

Then the local fair posted their requirements for submission. Over the many years I had been encouraged to enter my crafts and artwork into the fair, but never had. This year I decided that I was going to enter my paintings just for fun. It was going to be a baby step of putting my art work out there, so to speak. As the date for submissions to be dropped off I found myself scrambling to get the painting ready. They needed to be framed, backed, labeled, and wired. All of which is easy if you have the money to have it professionally done. I, of course did not have the money. So I went to thrift stores to find the frames, the dollar store to get the glue and backing paper, the copy store for the label printing, and the hardware store for the fasteners and wire. I was doing all this before my epidural when walking was again getting painful.

Then the day came for the submission to be given to the fair for judging and display. I was so very nervous and excited. I found myself dreaming and hoping that I would win something, just one thing. After church I gathered my courage and went alone to the fairgrounds. I found the various areas and handed them my precious creations. There was even a bit a sadness to let them go, but it was such a silly odd feeling. I laughed at myself and then tried to put it out of my mind and wait the few days till the fair opened.

Kris, my boyfriend’s mother, came with me early in the day, as she would be unable to go later when we had scheduled to go with family and friends. The first place we went to was the fine art exhibit. Slowly we went around the room looking at all the wonderful paintings and photographs that had been submitted. There was such an abundance of art there, and so many different categories for entry. I marveled at some of the incredible pieces while others left me in awe.

Finally we came to the first of my paintings, the Celtic Tree. It was hanging there proud as day. I was so full of excitement I was going to burst. The Kris called me over. She had found another of my paintings. This one, Poppies, had won a third place ribbon!! I just stood there smiling as big as I could while emotions rolled through me. How incredible was that? I had won a ribbon. My painting was judged by professionals who thought it was of equal caliber to these other great pieces of art. Wow. They thought my painting was excellent. The awe and joy of moment just filled me.

After a moment we looked and found my third painting, This is Beauty, named after the sculpture. It did not have a ribbon, but it didn’t seem to matter. I was still over the moon. Kris and I continued around the room and enjoyed the rest of the art. Once I was outside, I finally released some of my excitement. I jumped up and down with joy- literally. Still beaming with a smile that made my cheeks hurt.

Kris and I went into the arts and crafts room. I had also submitted two of my crocheted bags. A friend of mine also entered one of his fairies that he makes. Again Kris and went along and checked out all the arts, crafts, quilts, and foods that had been submitted. We found, one by one, the fairy and my bags. None of them had won any ribbons though. After a few fair foods and some more wondering around, we left.

That evening I went back to the fair with family and friends. I was so excited for them to discover that I had won a ribbon. It was raining so we all dashed for cover in the first building by the gate that hosted vendors and such. We went through each building one by one until we came to the last one, which is where the fine arts were. After a short while, one of my nieces came over and told me she had found my painting and that I had won a ribbon. Then we all went over there. I had pictures taken with my award winning painting so that I could share it with my mom and other friends and family.

Eventually everyone went their separate ways home. I am so lucky to have family and friends that support me so very much.

I still feel the joy and love that I was given through this experience, but I also want to let my fellow zebras and supporters know that this event didn’t just ‘happen’. I was able to go to the fair and walk around due to the many techniques and strategies that I do all the time to improve my quality of life. For example, I had my epidural a week before the fair and I have been working hard on managing my pain. Going to the gym has helped to rebuild my strength and stamina. All these things, including my afternoon nap to recharge my depleted energy, are part of my coping strategies for my CVID and to increase my overall health.

One more important note I’d like to make. Before I was diagnosed with CVID, I was so busy working, climbing the corporate ladder, and making ends meet that I didn’t spend enough time living my life and enjoying things. As a part of this new life, a second chance if you will, I try to really live my life. So please, go and have fun. Do the things you always wanted to do. Be happy. Laugh. Love.

Best wishes and hugs. Pam