MUSE Exhibition
Super Wonder Gallery
September 16 - 21 2016
Opening Reception: Friday Sept 16th
I am SO glad everything worked out and I was able to be a part of this show! The call for submissions was going on while I was frantically preparing for my wedding so I saved the link and set a reminder. But as my wedding date got closer I became more and more busy and didn't get a chance to apply before I left for Sudbury. Luckily the curator, Daniel Anaka, contacting me a few days before the deadline asking if I was planning to apply. I love being in Daniel's shows. My very first gallery exhibition in Toronto was curated by Daniel at Moniker Gallery and he has been a supporter of mine ever since. Not only are his shows filled with talent and garner a large crowd, he also always hangs my work in a way that emphasizes it's beauty and quality. He had mentioned that the MUSE exhibition would be his last at Super Wonder Gallery (a HUGE space on Bloor where I absolutely love to exhibit) so I knew there was just no way I could pass it up. Four of my portraits hung beautifully together, two newer pieces and two from 2013, near the front of the gallery.
I almost didn't make the opening that evening because my health was acting up but after a nap I decided to give it a try. I felt extra cute in my outfit and although I wasn't still quite well I was definitely happy to be there. Sometimes people think if you're smiling you can't possibly be sick. Those people don't live with chronic illness. When you're always unwell there comes a time in your life when you just have to decide not to let your physical mood dictate your mental mood. It's definitely a tough thing to conquer and when times are really tough it's still something I struggle with. But I'm pretty much capable of smiling, laughing, and loving life even if I'm in pain, or nauseous, or exhausted, and so on. I'm not just putting on a happy face ... it might seem like that at first ... but I'm actually happy. That night, I was not feeling great, I had a hard time communicating, but I was happy! The artwork in this exhibition was just breathtaking and to be among such talented artists is always an honour. I also got to speak to some fellow artists I hadn't seen in a while and I got to preview the work of some of the emerging artists I'll be jurying tomorrow (Friday September 22 2016) at the Emerging Toronto Artists Awards (ETA Awards)!
I had my little outfit planned for this exhibition since my wedding. I purchased two book necklaces for my wedding brunch outfit and ended up wearing one that was custom made with special little personal touches. I still loved the other one though and wanted to wear it with the complimentary book earrings I received and my beloved book skirt which I felt matched perfectly! I'm a big book nerd, I agree Kobo's have their place, but nothing will ever be as good as a book in my hands. Especially an old smelling book .... and turning pages ... it's an obsession I know, but a good one I think. If you happen to have a love affair with books too, my necklace and earrings were made custom for me by AV Workshop on Etsy. Svetlana was easy to communicate with, she created the piece very quickly, and it was shipped promptly as well. It was a pleasure doing business with her. My Book Skirt is by Nerd Alert Creations on Etsy. I have worked with Rachel a couple of times now and I am never disappointed. She is very kind and willing to take on all sorts of projects. I know I'll be back in her shop again! What do you think of my outfit? Are you a book lover too?
