Let me tell you a little story.
It’s been a fruitful week of not working. I’ve taken a few day trips and a bunch of photos. I’ve seen some good art and organized my studio. And better yet, something big might be on the horizon.
This past Tuesday, I headed down to Stonington, CT. There was a gallery that I wanted to check out which had been recommended to me by an artist I know. I couldn’t find the gallery’s hours anywhere online, so I took a chance and drove the 45 minutes to get there. It’s in a great old mill with huge windows and tall ceilings. A very cool place.
But alas, the gallery was closed on Tuesdays. I did see someone inside through the window, but I thought of how annoyed I would be if I were the owner and some random artist popped in on my day off, so I decided to explore the rest of the mill. I walked through a little ways and happened upon a Zen book I have been wanting to read. I dropped a dollar in the honor system basket and continued on.
But something told me I should go back to the gallery, now. So I did. I saw there was a phone number on the door, that the gallery is open Wednesday-Sunday but you can call to make an appointment at other times. So I stepped outside and made the call.
It rang once and went to voicemail.
So then I thought… I can leave, or I can be bold. Shy Sarah, bold? No way!
Well, I walked back into the mill, up to the gallery door, and knocked (bold!). The owner let me in right away. I introduced myself (she already knew who I was) and we had a nice chat. I made sure to mention that I was an artist, and she wanted to know more. She looked at some of my work on my Instagram account and actually liked what she saw. She came right out and said that she wants to show more photography in her gallery, and that she would like to have my work in her holiday show–the biggest exhibit she has all year. I played it cool, told her I was interested, and we agreed to meet again over coffee with a portfolio of work to look through together.
I’m not getting too excited yet, as I suppose there is the possibility she could change her mind. But it sounds like the thing that I’ve been hoping for for a long time is finally happening. Representation by a commercial gallery. What a dream!
What you see here is a little picture of what 5 hours in the studio looks like. Prints upon prints. Trying to get my best work ready to show the gallery owner. Overthinking, second guessing, experimenting with mixed results.
I can only hope for the best, and I can’t wait to find out what will happen.