It’s been a year since my solo exhibition “Venus in the 12th” was up and on view at Gallery 839, within The Animation Guild in Burbank, CA. That show was a dream come true for me. I was so focused and had invested so much time and energy into making that exhibit happen, that I didn’t really have a plan nor have any anticipation of what would come after. Once the show came down I lapsed a bit into a depression, fearing that the paintings I had made and worked so hard on would disappear into the ether. But I always have to keep reminding myself that art is timeless and that once a painting has been put out into the world, it doesn’t stop existing. Nor does it necessarily lose value. This has particularly been true of my painting Reunion. I had no idea then that I had created a painting worth celebrating.

"Reunion," acrylic on canvas, 2023.

Of the seven primary paintings made for “Venus in the 12th,” it was the only one to feature realistic elements absent of any figures. When I was designing my art book of the same name which chronicles the work of that exhibition, I initially envisioned another painting on the cover. But once I finished painting Reunion, I recognized that it made the most sense to use as the cover of the book because not only did it nicely fit the dimensions, it also naturally had a place to accommodate type without competing with other image details.

My debut, self-published art book, "Venus in the 12th."

Once I sent the book to the printers, I received an unexpected request back. They asked permission to print a few extra copies so that they could send it to potential clients in their sample packs. I was told that the "art quality stood out" and therefore, they'd love to include it as an example of what an art book could look like if you print with them. One of the reasons I decided to work with this printer is because of previous art books they have made for artists I admire. Knowing that, I felt nothing but honored in hearing that they saw my work as worthy of showcasing!

I was beginning to get a sense then that I had created a strong series of paintings, especially when it came to Reunion and the The Fallen Evening Star -- both of which were the two largest paintings in the exhibit – although you never really know how a painting will be received until it’s been shared with the public.

Once I had professionally photographed all the paintings in the show I began to enter them into juried publications and art competitions. I usually enter competitive calls for art a few times a year since if you're selected, it can lead to a nice bit of exposure and an added credit on your artist CV. After missing out on placements based on work I had made the previous year, I was ecstatic to see the paintings I had made for “Venus in the 12th” earning positive, critical reception from jurors and curators in different publications and competitions. The first came in the form of a featured spread in the Spring 2024 edition of Art Seen magazine. 

My 2 page spread in Art Seen magazine, published Spring of 2024.

I had submitted images of four paintings from my solo exhibit to the magazine for potential publication, along with a photo of my art studio. The curator of the magazine ended up publishing Reunion as its own, full page image next to my artists’ statement and a smaller reproduction of The Fallen Evening Star on the opposite page. The photo of my art studio was included in a different section of the magazine dedicated to highlighting artists’ spaces.

Shortly after receiving that good news, I discovered that Reunion had also been selected for placement in the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles 62nd Annual Illustration West Competition, specifically in their “Gallery” category. 

The award certificate I was presented for Reunion's placement in SOLA's Illustration West 62 competition.

I was extremely honored to earn this recognition since my major at ArtCenter was Illustration, so I know how well trained you need to be as an artist to work as an illustrator, let alone serve as a juror in an illustration competition. Upon receiving this award, I knew that I had legitimately made a painting worth celebrating.

Fortunately, the celebrations did not end there. At the end of 2024, I entered my work from “Venus in the 12th” for consideration to Art Queens quarterly catalogue of women artists. My work was selected by curator Alicia Puig as one of twenty-five contemporary artists to be featured in their Volume V, Winter 2025 edition. 

Holding a copy of Art Queens, Volume V.

Like I did with Art Seen, I had submitted six images of paintings from that series to Art Queens, allowing them to decide which images to publish in the catalogue. Reunion again was spotlit in a full, dedicated page with The Fallen Evening Star featured on the following page in a smaller format. The curator of the catalogue also chose to print reproductions of A Portrait of the Artist and Her Stelliums and Our Synodic Cycle on the final page of my 4 page feature.

My 4 page spread in Art Queens, Volume V. Published Winter of 2025.

It feels extremely rewarding to still be celebrating these works of art a year after the exhibit that they debuted in. I also love seeing people continuing to discover this series for the first time even though it’s been nearly 12 months since the show came to a close. I suppose that is one of the testaments to the power of art – it never stops existing and touching people. And fortunately for some lucky collector out there, not only do the original paintings still exist, they are also still available. Although if collecting fine art prints fits more within your budget, then I have those available as well. 

Fine Art Prints of "Reunion" (available in 2 sizes) and "The Fallen Evening Star."

It should be no surprise to hear that Reunion has in particular, been warmly received by collectors in print form, having even managed to convince a visitor at a local art market I was vending at last December to purchase a copy despite his personal policy of not buying art. He made sure to let me know that the work was too good to pass up, even if it meant breaking his own conservative rules around art buying. 

If you were one of the few lucky visitors who took the time to see my solo show in person last February, then I thank you for being there. You were able to witness a dream manifested as well as works of art that with time, would become properly recognized, celebrated and collected.