Friday, October 25, 2013

Keeping Calm


I have so many wonderful comments and emails that have been left for me over the last few days, and I want you to know that I appreciate them all!  I also want to welcome all the wonderful new visitors who have come here via Kate's blog!





I've been busy since last weekend working on magazine stories which have had very tight turnaround times...just a few days in most cases.  I think this style of writing might be best for me because it gives me less time to "write" each piece in my head for weeks, which I've been known to do.

But it has made for a little less sleep this week, including the fact that I interviewed one homeowner until 1:30 in the morning - the interview didn't start until after 11 pm because of scheduling issues and deadlines.  The funny part is, we talked for 2 1/2 hours and never even spoke about her home, so we spoke again the following morning for another 3 hours and this time covered all the house stuff.

It has actually been a while since I've done any freelance writing, but doing these stories has reminded me of how much I miss meeting these amazing homeowners.  What ends up in the story that goes to print is just a fraction of what I find out about these people and their homes, and I love hearing all the interesting tidbits and back stories on the items in their houses which reflect their style, their history, and what truly makes their house a home!




Also, I have made a huge leap by stepping outside my box over the last couple of weeks and I've pretty much made some end roads into blasting so far outside my comfort zone that I can't even really see it in the rearview mirror.  I am actually participating in a fundraising art show this weekend, and I have to admit that I'm kind of terrified!

 The fundraising concept is pretty cool...a bunch of talented local artists donate pieces of their artwork and each piece of art has a minimum value of at least $185.00.  Then, buyers purchase a ticket for $185.00 (or $150.00 for members of the art organization) and that ticket admits 2 people to a reception with heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks, and they get to go home with one piece of art.  For the week prior to the reception, ticket holders are able to preview the artwork available at the gallery, and rank their favorites.  To make it fair there are a few more pieces of art available than tickets sold, and over 100 pieces of artwork have been donated to date.  Are you still with me?...I swear this isn't a word problem! 

On the night of the fundraising event, which is held in Annapolis, Maryland, the ticketholders then come to socialize and choose a piece of artwork based on a lottery system.  So if they call your ticket number first, you get first pick of any piece of art at the event...and even if the artwork is valued at $500.00, for the price of your ticket you get to go home with that piece of art!  Pretty cool, eh?!

Here is where the nerves come in...as an artist, if as the lottery progresses and pieces of art get picked, if your piece isn't being picked, and the night is drawing nye, well you get the picture...it's kind of like being picked last for the sports team back when you were a kid!  That analogy was actually listed in the testimonial from one of last years contributors....yikes!  Of course if you hear huge sighs from the crowd when your piece is picked, well that could be quite a confidence booster, so it could go either way.

Even though this whole thing makes my stomach churn, I have committed to go to the event and hope for the best!  If things go great I will hear sighs, and if not, I will be coming home with my image which is one I had printed on metal and is still one of my favorites, so I have to look at it as a win/win.  And I also look forward to meeting face to face with someone who loves my art enough to pick it...something I've not really gotten to do since so many of my sales are done online, or through retail outlets, such as galleries and wonderful shops!

So, if you are still reading this, thank you, because even I'm a little confused after all that typing about my neurosis!  Knowing that I've been a little on edge, my sweet husband came home yesterday with a beautiful batch of sunflowers, the ones pictured in this post!  He knows me well, and he knows that for me, flowers have healing powers...so until I set foot into a room full of art enthusiasts on Sunday, at least for now, I am calm. 

I hope that each of you have a wonderful weekend, and that you find your own sense of calm, or at the very least a big bouquet of flowers to brighten your world!


18 comments:

  1. How wonderful that your husband brought you flowers! They are absolutely beautiful! I am sending along calming vibes for you as I believe your art will definitely be selected! I am always amazed at your photography!

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  2. Breathe my friend..just breathe...and remember that the combinations of people who like these two art pieces or these three art pieces and the randomness of the lottery and then they have to select among their favorites ..well there are infinitesimal ways for it to go and for a fabulous piece to be left behind... I have learned to accept that maybe only one person has to like what I've created for it to be a success and that one person might.... just.... be me <3

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  3. Your photographs are beautiful Kat. Have a great weekend; can't wait to hear how much fun you had.

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  4. The art benefit sounds like such a cool concept and I kept thinking you would show us which piece of art you were donating! So be sure to take a picture of it, because I already know it won't be coming home with you. I love the way your hubby knows about the soothing effect flowers have on you...your images of them are simply exquisite! Have so much fun on Sunday!! xo

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  5. What a great concept (alhough nerve-wracking for the contributors). It will be fun, though and I'm sure you and your husband will have a great time there. Yay to new viewers of your blog! Beautiful sunflowers too, Kat.

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  6. Kat- I have participated in something a bit like this in the past and it is gut-churning. I can't tell you how awful you feel when you realize that either you, or someone you love, has been left sitting like a wallflower. That being said, your artwork is so amazing that I have no doubt you will be one of the top picks. Good luck and let us know how it goes. Deep breath- deep breath-deep breath- xo Diana

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  7. That was very sweet of the Mister. The sunflowers are so pretty! Pure sunshine for this cold weekend. Your art is beautiful, and they are lucky to have it in the event. Keep us posted.
    Have a great weekend!
    Loi

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  8. All the best with the fund raising event Kat. Your photography is beautiful - like NanaDiana I think yours will be among the top picks too. We're all rooting for you.

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  9. I'm glad you're back to writing, at least for now. It keeps you from getting too wrapped up in your own stuff.

    My husband donated a painting to an art fundraiser ... this one was a dinner and traditional live auction. I like the "picking teams" approach to this one. It means that the people with the deepest pockets won't walk off with all the good stuff.

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  10. What a fantastic fund raising idea! Can't wait to hear how you did:) I bought myself some sunflowers recently and loved how they stayed fresh for at least tow weeks...worth every penny!

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  11. Wishing you the best at the fundraising event, it sounds great! If your stomach starts to churn, take a deep breath and think of all of us. The sunflowers were a sweet thought and you get to photograph them too.

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  12. Kat, just absolutely beautiful photos of the sunflowers!! You are one talented woman! I know the fundraiser went well. I get nervous about things like that too! HUGS!!

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  13. Kat, I am sure you did fabulous at your fundraiser! Anyone would be honored to have an original of yours!
    I love getting surprise flowers from hubby,( kind makes me want to keep him around..hehe). I have been out of the loop lately and LOVE catching up with you! Beautiful as always! xo

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  14. These sunflower photos are beautiful, Kat! I think we get nervous when we don't have any control over a situation, when we want to perform well! I hope you had a wonderful time, and your work of art found its new owner! XO

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  15. love your images.....make sure to take lots!.....smiles!

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  16. I'm sure you will do fine. You do beautiful work. Congratulations for stepping outside the box. It isn't easy!

    - The Tablescaper

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  17. You my dear Kat will get the big sighs and if you do not they have issues. The sunflowers are stunning. I have been so busy and neglectful of my friends and my blog. Plus I had two surgeries. The summer was entirely awful. I am hoping for some good holidays. xo, olive

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  18. Bless your sweet husband for helping you through this time of stress dear Kat. You have nothing to fear however, because even if your piece wouldn't be chosen (and it will) it just means that the one that it is really meant for isn't there. Your work is truly amazing and I can't even imagine the kind of joy and stress it brings to you. I just had to write an article about myself for a Where Women Create feature and it truly paralyzed me. I just had to go back into my life when I was in my twenties and thirties and had tons of confidence (and a lot more artistic ability ) and remember all I had accomplished in my life before Landon was born and everything got wrapped up in him. Even though he is my greatest joy and accomplishment I lost my confidence along the way.
    Maybe for you it could be the same---dig somewhere deep and think of when you were the most confident and take that Kat with you when you attend this wonderful event!
    I'm sending all the love I can...

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