I got accepted to exhibit my abstract art!!!

Who would have thought that? Not me...

I actually wanted to write about something completely different today, about Money & weather it is evil or not. But then while starting to writee down my thoughts, I received the confirmation email for this exhibition!

I freaked out, cos it made me sooo happy! Especially cos I already forgot about it, I didn’t feel the need to ask them if they received my application, thought that if the universe deems this to not be the right occasion, I will accept it. And then this: I am accepted!

So right now, its impossible for me to write or think about anything else than that. I feel the need to let out my excitement & share it with everyone & the world!

You know, if you would have told me just two years ago, that I would get the opportunity to exhibit my artwork, especially abstract art, when I was sooo far away from painting for myself, I would have told you to be crazy! Never in my life would I have imagined that! And now this happened, unbelievable.

My journey around the word “Art” and “Artist” has been an up and down experience, same with practicing Art in its many forms.

I grew up with an Artist dad who represented the rather doomy-gloomy archetype of a starving & plagued artist, I thought its impossible to make money with art (mind me saying that my dad had an artistic job & I currently make art for a living as well), I believed that it’s pointless to paint for myself, I always needed a purpose to create art, even if it was just as a gift for someone else.

I also had a hard time to identify myself with the word “Artist”, I used to compare myself to my dad & his brilliant art, saying that I am by far not as good as him & that there are so many other amazing artists out there, much better than me. Imposter syndrome - here I come!

In addition to that, I always loved non-figurative art the most, meaning abstract art, shapes, forms, patterns, colors and lines, combined and arranged in beautiful compositions. I was not interested in florals, landscapes, people or realistic paintings, somehow the flowy-ness of art pieces, the undefined way and openness of abstract art always caught my heart & soul.

In these types of art, there is space for all kinds of feelings, emotions, thoughts, impressions, perceptions and wonderings of the heart, soul and mind as well. And even though I was drawn to that type of art, I felt ashamed about it. Can you imagine? Why would that be? I dont know. Part of my theory is that maybe it is because abstract art is deemed to be not “real art” in society. That anyone could do it, no skill is needed etc… all kinds of limiting believes.

So when ca 1.5 years ago, I got out of my meditation class with this huuuggeeee urge to paint, I had no idea what would follow… I went to the art store, bought new paints, brushes and other supplies… and just so you know: I already had all the art supplies possible, I am the biggest hoarder of art and craft supplies there is!... and I started painting. Just like that, for myself, no other goal than to let out whatever was sitting inside of me and needed to come out.

I loved the process, all of it. I was not attached to any outcome, I loved most of what I did, some pieces I didn’t love, I mainly played with all that I had, tried out different techniques, went very intuitive about it. With no pressure.

And this is where I realized: its freaking difficult to make abstract art. Like really tough! I cant explain exactly why, but when I look back at the beginning pieces of mine, I dont like them anymore, some I cut & re-worked into new pieces and I was able to see progress with my practice and somehow the feeling of change in my paintings. The way I was painting, using the tools, approaching the artwork. A clear difference to the beginnings.

You know, even if you just make one splash of color, it can be, spread and cause anything in the world. It can spark love & care, beauty & stillness, or it can make you feel irritated, agitated and disgusted. One splash of color, it has so much power. Now, how do you deal with several colors? More splashes? Lines? Patterns? Circles? Nuances? Arrangements of it all? The possibilities are endless.

And then, when taking each human being in the world: we all perceive things so differently! One might see beauty, while the other sees destruction. It is impossible to catch everyone with something, it is unpredictable, and that is in a way the beauty of it all!

Uuhh, I think I deviated :-). What I wanted to say is that, the more I painted, the more I felt like sharing my paintings with others. But I still felt shame, so I picked a handful of friends & my sister to start with, so I used baby steps to expose myself and my art. And I would share only what I truly loved.

With time I got bolder, I dared to share more, felt less discomfort & decided to expose my paintings on LinkedIN, the largest Social Media platform that I have. And I was surprised how well people reacted to my paintings! Especially because my audience is heavily connected to the sciences. As a Scientific Illustrator, I mostly share illustrations around plant science and complex scientific concepts, sometimes comics as well. But always related to sharing knowledge.

Then suddenly I threw in abstract pieces of art & I was surprised that many liked that type of content! This grew my confidence, while I at the same time kept on practicing and feeling more secure about my paintings as well.

So much so, that I decided to ask to exhibit them at my favorite outdoor garden center, where I always get my plants and flowers for my balcony each year. And they agreed!

That is basically it for today!

Long story short: always dare to do the unthinkable, un-imaginable, crazy idea of yours! Go for it! Even if you doubt yourself! Even if you are unsure! If it brings you joy & lightness, it will never harm you & might open doors, you never imagined before! Don’t worry about the outcome, I have no clue whatsoever, if anyone will buy any of my paintings or not. But I don’t mind, cos I would have never imagined being able to say that I one day will have an exhibition with my abstract art paintings. Ever. I basically already won at that part of my life :D

Let me know if you ever experienced something like that & what you learned from it!

Love,

Daria