I’m beyond thrilled for this to be my first blog post. I have so much to tell you, imaginary friend.

Things I can cross off my art bucket list:

• Exhibit my photography at in a gallery

• Attend the reception with family and friends

I was able to cross both of those off, AND a bonus one I didn’t dare actually write out: win an award! But I have to back up and tell you how this came to be.

In late 2018 I decided to believe what my friends and family have been telling me (that I should find ways to display my photography), so I started social media accounts for myself and thought that was that. In no way did I feel any of my stuff was good enough to share space with other local artists, but I still kept looking at the Broward Art Guild’s website, seeing their calls for artists, and imagining my photographs in their gallery. I can’t tell you what it was that made me finally go for it, but one day I invited my mom for dinner at a place by the gallery and went for a little art stroll after. After a walk through the displayed art, I walked up to the desk and asked how I could become a member, and told the very kind, patient person who helped me get signed up that I would be submitting some photographs for consideration for the month’s exhibit (Summer Sizzle Salon). I mostly said it because if you say it aloud it you have to follow through, right? Plus, Mom was RIGHT THERE so I know she would never let me live it down if I chickened out.

Of the three pieces I submitted they accepted two and you better believe I was shocked and hella pleased when I got the phone call. Now, I’m not exactly known as a social butterfly, so I was kind of unnerved by how unnerved I wasn’t. I was just excited for a night out with some good art and, hey, for once some of it would be mine!

The night of the reception I felt welcomed and accepted by the members and the community, and my family was very excited to see my art on display. My son was especially tickled to see his silhouette among the various pieces of art in the gallery. I expected that that would be that and told my family to go ahead home after about an hour. I was going to leave too, but I got caught up talking to some really nice people who shared their vision and passion with me, so I decided to stay through the awards. I fully expected to do a lot of applauding, but I almost fell over onto the refreshments table when my name was called for People’s Choice! I choked back a Sally Field “You like me, you really like me” moment and instead just grinned and posed for pictures. When I tell you that I’m still in utter disbelief… I mean, to recap: first exhibit, first time showing my art publicly. So, no, I had no idea I would do much more than hang out and enjoy some art.

Well, I’ve babbled long enough. TL;DR: I came, I saw…I won People’s Choice?!