Your Girl is Getting into Shows!

It's been a while since I have written a blog post (also don't want to spam folks). I've had an intense few months in the art world (and also the public health world, butttt I will open up about that later) and it has just been wonderful but, also so, so scary.

In May, I was given the opportunity to show my embroidery pieces and prints in a show called With these Hands. It was curated by the amazing Natassha Chambliss at the Future Gallery in Atlanta, Ga. I was able to give an artist talk so that people can finally see my passion for what I do.

I got into Big Ink in Westport, MA at the Dedee Shattuck Gallery! So I spent around a month carving away to get my biggest piece ever completed. It is a whopping 40x60 inch piece!!! What an adventure that was to drive all the way there! I am so grateful for my family to come support me in this accomplishment. By the way, these pieces are all for sale! She is a Fighter is an edition of 4. I learned so much from this experience and met so many amazing and talented artist, that I am forever grateful for the experience.

In a week, I will be my first show in NYC! CAN YOU BELIEVE IT! I am in a show in NYC, all this work is paying off. The show will be at the Chelsea Market and called the Melting Pot! Open from June 12th-July 12th, opening reception is June 17th from 7-9pm, so mark your calendars! I have 2 Giclee prints in this show, and it's only an edition of 1 at the size of 18x24! I will also have 8x10 available too!

My story is just beginning y'all, this brown girl is comin' in hot.

Pics below from the shows I was in :)

Mental Health and Art

Since it is Mental Health Awareness month, I wanted to share my views on mental health and the importance of self care.

I am currently working pieces for the Emoji Art show at the Defoor Centre in Atlanta, which will be May 25th, 2018 from 8PM-Midnight. (You should totally come to the show if you are in town!) You can buy tickets here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-emoji-art-show-atlanta-tickets-44867677431

The show is a multi-sensory experience that amplifies emotional and mental health awareness through emojis, art and music.

While doing these pieces, it made me reflect on myself, my issues with depression. I wouldn't say that I am clinically depressed, but lately, I have been feeling more down than usual. I have months when I feel like this, but I tend to hide it from everyone. Its been getting harder and harder to hide it though. The constant fatigue, loss of motivation, and feeling like a failure in everything I do.

Mental Health is a topic that isn't discussed enough. With all the things available today, there is still not enough emphasis on mental health. Here are some facts about mental health in America:

1 in 5 Adults have a mental health condition.

Youth mental health is worsening.

More Americans have access to services...But most Americans still lack access to care.

There is a serious mental health workforce shortage.

Reference: http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/issues/state-mental-health-america

We need to talk about this epidemic.

I will NOT let this feeling win. I am fighting this feeling daily, with self care. Now self care is different for everyone, but I will be explaining what self care is for me.

1) Art

With art, I find peace of mind. Freedom from reality, and express my feelings without talking about it. There are so many studies that have shown art to be a great therapeutic tool. I can attest to that, it has helped me release my emotions so well. Printmaking on days that I am stressed, fluid painting when I'm overwhelmed, and drawing when my mind is racing. Art is what keeps me from going down the rabbit hole of depression. It is my front line of attack, my crutch for when things are just not going the way I want it to.

2) Being Girly

People constantly tell me I'm wasting my money getting my nails done, hair done, and buying makeup. Little do they realize that I do it for my mental health. Getting my nails gives me time to relax, feel beautiful, and just feel better. When I feel down, my hair is always in a bun, and my scalp is so itchy. But whenever I go to get my hair done, I feel great, beautiful and back to "normal", I get this same feeling when I get my makeup, just feeling beautiful and great. I know that these are materialistic things, and they don't last forever, but hey, it helps me for that moment, let me enjoy it.

3) Exercise and Meditation

When I'm depressed, stressed or anxious, I tend to eat my feeling. Chocolate, chips, all the delicious food. I eat all the food, and feel like crap afterwards. I have gained so much weight that it has made me feel worse about myself. Last year, I made the decision to hire a trainer, workout, and lose the weight. It was honestly the best decision I have ever made. I haven't lost weight, by the number, but I have seen the difference. I want to wake up in the morning, do my makeup, have a positive attitude for work and for the rest of the day. Meditation I do in multiple different ways, prayer, reflection, and breathing exercises. All of these has helped in someway or another.

4)Family Support

Something that is so important to have. I am so grateful for my husband, his patience and understanding is what has saved me from myself so many times. Being able to talk to someone about has helped me. Having my family support me and my passions have given me the strength to identify and accept my weaknesses, as well as help me work through my problems.

My goal is to start a conversation about mental health, be it in writing or through art. I hate that it's still stigmatized. So let's talk. Having someone to talk to is so helpful. Find a person, start a blog, do art. Express your feelings in some way, don't bottle it up. If you ever feel hopeless or suicidal please, please, please call 1-800-273-8255. There is someone always there to listen to you, please don't feel like you are alone.

Do you guys relate? What do you think? What do you do to fight depression?

Creating, working, and trying to get known

To me, every artist dreams to be famous. I remember while in undergrad, my professors and friends would joke around and say, "if you aren't Instagram famous, it is nearly impossible to get known in society". Though I never took it seriously, I now know this is somewhat true. There are so many art trends, I honestly cannot keep up. Last year, I finally set up my art page on Instagram and Facebook, and it really is like having a full-time job. Constantly posting updates on work, creating new work, and hoping that someone will want to buy your work or commission you to make work. So, I created this website, I had been pushing this off for years now. Any recommendations and critiques are much appreciated by the way.

Currently, I am a Research Administrator for Good Samaritan Health Center of Gwinnett, and I absolutely love it. It’s my first job since graduating with my Masters degree in Public Health. However, it takes away from me posting new work, and I come home with my latest ideas, but I am just too exhausted to work on anything new. I want to be able to juggle all of this; art is my first love, and I want more people to come on to my page and say, hey, this artist has something different to offer, let’s get her known. Who knows, maybe I can become Instagram famous, a girl can always dream 😊