I WAS SELECTED AS "AN EMERGING ARTIST - 2008"

After submitting the required items to the DCA for consideration along with other artists from the Michigan area - I had resigned myself to sitting and waiting (like a good girl) for Saturday the 11th to arrive - to find out who's work would be selected as one of the 3-4 Emerging Artists for 2008.

Yesterday, a friend of mine spent the day and night. We chatted and shared stories and some art time together. As we were having our "late" morning coffee out in the sun room this morning and then - my cell phone rang. I didn't recognize the phone number so I let the call go directly to my voice mail. Something told me to go ahead and listen to the call after the message was left. Rose watched my face as I was listening to the message. She kept saying "What, What"? I told her that it was M at the DCA informing me that the juror had seen my work and that I was selected to be an "Emerging Artist" - and to start thinking about the show! I couldn't believe my ears. I was not expecting to hear anything until the weekend... so this was absolutely a surprise. I was so glad that Rose was here to share the news with me. I called hubby and then my son to tell them. Finally - I called M back and told her how excited I was - and she said that she was sending me a detailed letter and had more information on the comments the juror made during the selection (good ones, haha) - regarding my work. I can't wait to hear them. She will be calling me tomorrow with more show details too. Then I called Karen the owner of the Biddle Gallery - and told her the news. I had to go to the college today to pay for another upcoming Gallery Crawl. Saw my friend Andrea (from girls night out) and told her the news. She showed me her awesome shrine/alter she was making (assemblage) and it was great. I love that sort of work. Then, I told Carl (the WCCC instructor) - and he said - Great! Our first stop on the crawl will be at the DCC so the entire bus will see the exhibit! haha

I have between now and the 20th to pull my exhibit together for this show. There are going to be 3 painters total. I'm so happy... and this is beyond my wildest dreams. Everything I had worked so hard for this last 7 months... is coming together - and I feel so blessed and thankful. I'm excited and nervous - all at the same time.

I'm going to use the rest of this evening to put together a responsible time frame for preparation of this event. I have a few paintings I want to finish up - (two of which are 36x36 - biggies)... and I am hoping and praying for some nice weather. Today was rain!