With my painting Look Closer during my 2022 solo show at the Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture at the San Francisco Botanical Garden.
A couple of years ago, I was visiting a gallery where local artist Marcia Perry was showing her paintings and ceramic pieces. In addition to being an artist, Marcia cofounded Youth Arts Collective in Monterey with her wife and fellow artist Meg Biddle, and we talked about community, mentoring, and jugging work and family life. After a while, the conversation turned to the importance of viewing art in person and having conversations with the artist about their work. She told me, “I always tell my students, art isn’t finished until it’s shared.”
This statement really struck me. Part of the reason it resonated with me was that I was so happy to be in galleries again, seeing other artists’ work in person, after a couple years of only attending virtual art exhibits. Photos and videos don’t always do artwork justice, especially if viewed on a phone. When you see artwork in person, you can really see the artist’s hand and get a better sense of how they created the work. And if you can actually talk to the artist, you get a much deeper understanding of the artwork—why they created it, what was challenging or joyful about it, when they almost quit but decided to keep going.
The other part of what resonated with me was the idea of sharing artwork with others, even if it’s imperfect. An artist could keep fine-tuning a painting indefinitely, hiding it away in the studio until it’s perfect… or, the artist could decide that perfection isn’t actually achievable, share the artwork when it’s as close to her vision as she can get it, and move on to her next idea. No one gets to connect with artwork that is hidden away, and the artist doesn’t get to share her vision with the world if she doesn’t let anyone see the work.
I worked with exhibit designer Karina White on this display of butterflies for Descanso Gardens in Pasadena. After working in my home studio on the illustrations for this exhibit, it was thrilling to see it in person.
This is true for my own work as well. While I love drawing and painting for its own sake, I’m most motivated when I have a specific idea/deadline in mind—finishing a painting in time for a specific exhibit, for example. And I find in-person artist receptions to be very important as well. I love being able to explain the *why* of my own artwork, to share my process and what is so exciting for me about the subject matter. When it’s just me at home, it can be hard to see and feel the effect my art might have.
Ever the teacher and mentor, Marcia wrapped up our gallery visit with words of encouragement and a warm hug. I thought of how many young artists have been inspired to share their own work because of her guidance, and how Marcia models this for them when she exhibits her own art. I think of her words whenever I am preparing my own artwork for a show, or applying for an exhibit—that part of the art isn’t just creating a piece, but taking it out of my studio, and letting it go out into the world.
