I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who was able to come out and see my Groundbreaking Girls exhibit in San Clemente. I’ve shown them about 5 times in the past year, but this was definitely the most special—and not just because it was in a spectacular gallery space in my home town. It was special because there was so much love in the house!

I didn’t count, but I’d imagine there were close to 200 people who came through those doors in the course of the evening. The elegant appetizers, hand-made by culinary artist Andrea Ketcham, was truly scrumptious…guests were gasping with delight as they took their bites. A beautiful selection of wine was poured by Carrie McKracken. And the dreamy music, played by Maki with Sarah and Scott Hendrix (as the band Clement) kept everyone entertained in the courtyard for hours. (I highly recommend them all if you are looking to bring a little extra class to upcoming events.)

It was so wonderful to see the ladies, all tucked in their dark wood frames (thank you, Bob Lloyd) staring out at us from the gallery walls. To me it seemed that part of those once-living people were there with us in spirit, watching the crowd as we we stared back at them. I was thrilled to see everyone really engaging with the art and with each other the whole time. I will also say I had a new kind of grief wave that hit me as I entered the gallery that night: I wished Vernon were there to celebrate with us. I almost wore our rings again to keep him present with me somehow, but in the end, I took them off, knowing this was a public marker of our moving forward without him, and that that needed to be acknowledged in myself as well.  This show was a marker of the life I’ve chosen to live BECAUSE he died. It’s a strange thing to be sad and happy at the same time, but that seems to be what life is about. It’s not a box with a nice bow on it, as much we sometimes wish it was.  I did have an opportunity to talk about him though…with gratitude. I know these paintings, the fruit of such a transformative practice for me, would likely not exist without the loss of him.

The last time I did a big one-person show and reception like this was the summer I met Vernon. In fact I hadn’t even met him in person yet. And here we are again. Bookends. I’m getting back to the life I was living before in some ways…but this time with children in tow! I love that they got to be a part of the event as well.

I know not everyone could come, and you were missed. But here is a way to see what happened at the big event of my year (so far!) and what I’ve been working on. Though 1/3 of the paintings sold that night, I still have the others available for now. And I’ll keep making more! Thank you all for your support, present or not. I have certainly felt the love in your encouragement. And as one of the ladies chosen for the show, Althea Gibson, said: “No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helped you.” 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqPcUNf4o1o