On Friday, November 15 the Markeim Arts Center held a reception for their current show, Russet, Rouge and Bronze. My most recent drawing, I Wish You The Sunshine Of Tomorrow, was selected to be in the show. The prospectus stated the exhibition was to feature art of fall themes and fall colors. I knew my piece getting in to the exhibit would be a stretch as it isn’t particularly fall/autumn aside from the golden color.
At the reception I spoke with the juror, illustrator & author Robert Byrd. He told me he kept coming back to my piece because he believed I was really trying to say something. He encouraged me to keep showing my art saying, “it is so easy to just put your work in a drawer but when you have something to say – it takes courage to share it and it needs to be shared.” He was supportive and so very interesting to speak with. We are both art educators and we discussed our craft specifically how a lot has changed in the teaching of art because of technology. Both he and I received our art education at a time when the internet, email and Google did not exist. He was inspiring. I feel grateful that he selected my art to be in the exhibition despite the fact that it was not a landscape or still life filled with orange and red tones. The fact that my art resonated with him is validating. It gives me the motivation to keep making art. Thank you, Mr. Byrd.