Art Show Opening Reception.

It finally happened! The art show I have talked about for a few months now is finally all organized, hung, and up for everyone to see! I even got through the reception with the help of my great socially attune boyfriend of course. I still don't know many people from the Salmagundi club, it's a very uncomfortable situation for me. I tend to get really nervous, and become a major introvert when it comes to these types of things where I barely know anyone. But I was a major part of the show happening. I was the organizer of the show, and I am very proud of that. I will say doing the art show, and actually being at meetings, and being actively involved are all steps of getting to know more people in this community. I know it will become easier. It will take a little time, but it will all work out. I feel confident about that.

Outside of being super nervous, and the organizer of the show, I also participated in case some people didn't know. I hung four of my photos. One frame I am not too happy about. The middle one from the line of three. I thought for sure it would work, in my head it did, but than I got the frame...and hated it. I thought that it would grow on me thats why I didn't change the frame, but it didn't grow on me. At all. I think it's my worst one.

I really love the old tin wall that Herve, the gallery owner, has in the gallery. The other side being brick. I hung the other rose on the brink wall. I love the brick! It looked great with my white frame. We initially tried to hang it on the white tin wall, but it looked horrible!  I'm glad that we moved it. The brick compliments the picture well. That's what I love about the hanging process. Something goes better on other walls, some go better with other pictures next to it. It's like a puzzle you have to put together. We were able to get the works of over 20 artists up in this gallery. The Mehu Gallery is not like a regular gallery with just super white walls with nothing else. This gallery has a lot of history and personality for sure. Herve Mehu's Gallery has been in business for 30 years. Amazing. Absolutely amazing to me.

I got a number of compliments on my photographs. I was very happy about that. People really like the roses. I love them too. I loooove my purple rose! I never know what to say except "Thank you" when someone compliments me. I have to work on the small talk. I should bring up where I took it. I took those photographs in a wine vineyard in New Zealand. I'm sure that was a really good point, but I was too nervous to open my mouth. I really gotta work on that. I was also complimented on organizing the show...again I have no idea what to say. I find it simple really. Only because I feel like it wasn't that much of a bother. A ton of emailing, some phone calls had to be made, some visits to the city, and the gallery. When I write it out it does seem like a bit of work, but I never saw it that way. Maybe because it was something I wanted to do. I remember months ago in June, Patricia mentioned she knew Herve had a gap in his calendar before his next show in the fall, and brought it to us (The Junior scholarship group) if we wanted to do a show. Of course we all said we wanted the show. She than said we need someone to organize it. I jumped on it because I knew I wanted to learn more about this whole process. I'm so glad I did this, and stepped up. I hope I am forming a good reputation for myself. I mentioned to my boyfriend how I wouldn't mind just being known by name. "Oh, that Amber Sherman knows how to organize a show, we should work with her again." I def have no problem with that.

The reception was a success, very busy, a lot of artists were there, a lot of members from the Salmagundi Club as well. I was very happy about everything. I guess as an organizer you are always nervous no one is ever going to show up. I always had that anxiety when it came to planning events, my own parties, socials for the co-ed Fraternity I was in, and family gatherings too. I always worry. I know people commit all the time, but than never show up. So, I never trust the word of anyone. I can't help it. People say a lot of stuff. I even had artists commit to being in the show but than back out the day before hanging for this show. Which kind of upset me, but those things will happen of course so, I didn't let it bother me more than a day or two. But will I forget those artists that backed out? Def not. I always take note of those things, but I cant really help that, those things stick out in my mind. People who commit, and keep their word, and than those who are just flakes. I'm sorry, but everything you do regardless of situations are logged in a person's mind. I guess that's a lesson for artists out there. If you commit, follow through! Your reputation will flourish in such a great way, or you'll be known to not be dependable. Which I would hate to be known as that kind of person.


After awhile of being there I started to warm up, and be a little more social, thats why there's wine, right? haha. I got to talk to the President of the Salmagundi Club, and he was very happy with the show! He wants to make this an annual event. That in itself makes me extremely happy. I was the organizer of the first show that is the beginning of a tradition. I love being part of something bigger than me.

All of this has been a great learning experience. I learned so much just from this show alone. I loved the whole experience, even the annoying parts Hahaha. I couldn't do anything without the help of Patricia! She's amazing. She hung most of the show. I, and a few other artists helped Patricia hang the show, but she knows her stuff! I am very grateful for everyone's help.

There is something about seeing your work on the wall of a gallery. I feel like I came so far! This was my plan, and it happened. I am so grateful, and proud of myself. I can't really describe it. Going to the reception makes it a celebration of that, you actually feel the accomplishment, and there's a good closure. That "I made this happen" feeling, and now the day is finally here. It's great. :-) 

Now to get ready for the winter show at Salmagundi. No idea what my role will be for that yet. Let's see what happens. 

Naming Your Artwork

OY! This process is the most difficult! Well, at least to me. Naming photographs is so tough. I took the picture, I felt something. Now, to put a label on that?? I don't know. I am always hesitate to name in fear of being cheesy. I definitely don't call myself a writer (I know, I know I have a blog, and I write...But I don't consider that writing. Don't ask me why.) I am not good with words. What I find is that I am a fan of the one word label. I feel like sometimes...most of the time one word is enough. I do it with my Youtube videos too. I have a weekly (well...I try to post weekly lol) topic show called "Take it all in Thursday," and I usually label the topic with just one word. I have "Boredom," and "Failure," "Appreciation." You get it. I do it a lot with my photos, my short films, and other things I have to title. Even in college, I think all my projects, and student films were all one word titles. Seems to work for me. People get it. If I use to many words I risk getting too controlling in what people might think of the piece themselves. Maybe thats my problem, the fear of being too controlling of the viewers mind. The title will shape thought surrounding the work. Art is open for interpretation.

This comes up because I have an art show coming up! I never gave this one photo a name that I am entering into the show. Shame on me. I do remember looking at it often thinking "hmm...I don't know what to call this one." All I knew was it was a photo I liked. Hell, I didn't even consider it a show-able photo until my boyfriend happen to see it, and say, "Wow, let me see that one!"

I really have to sit down, and analyze how that photo makes me feel, and run through a lot of titles to finally give it a name. Does any other artist find this the most difficult? I thought finding a printer, and framer was hard, or editing a photo was tough. Not as hard as giving the work its title.


I finally gave this photo the title "Light on the Unknown"

I posted this picture before when I first decided to put it on my website, but now it has a name! I remember the day I took the picture, it was soooo dark going down those stairs. It was kinda scary, not gonna lie, but than we got to the window, and it felt like "ok this is do-able even though I have no idea what I'm getting into." So, maybe the title is a bit literal, it fits though. A title I am happy with. :-)

And for people who are curious about my youtube click here!

Fake it Till You Make it??

That phrase is a funny one...at least I think so. Some people live by it, but I always felt that in a way a person would be lying to get where they want to be. I thought to live by that phrase you are just in this continuous mode of not being who you actually are.

...but I have in fact used this philosophy.

Start calling me a hypocrite right abouuuuuut.....NOW!

In the creative field, be it fine arts, film industry, or even marketing, whatever you decide to put in the creative block, not many opportunities are given. You somehow have to prove yourself, and provide evidence that "Yes! I have done this job successfully before, and I can deliver with this next task!" Hell forget the fact that I said creative field. All of this can apply to the job market in general.

All I know is no matter what a person has to start somewhere. It is so aggravating to see so many job posts saying, "Requires 3 to 4 years of experience" but it was labeled entry level? huh? Did I miss something here?

I cant speak for all fields, but I know in the photography, and film industry they abuse the whole intern system. All professionals say that "You're going to eventually have to do free gigs, you cant avoid it." What? This is where half the people who had dreams in the creative field say "Fuck!" Working for free? Who honestly has the time? People have rent! And probably about 8 or 9 other bills. Who knows? I don't know everyones situation. This is also why you have a ton of people working in job that they absolutely loathe!

**I will make a small comment on the interning problem. Yes, people abuse it massive, but if you have a full time job, and you have extra time, taking on a free gig on the weekend here and there wont hurt. Or even in my case with this art club, I set up the art show that I will be in next month. I def did not have to take on that responsibility, but it was for sure in my best interest. Nothing is easy, but hard work pays off. It may not feel like it now, but it will. I can promise that.**

This is where the phrase comes into play. I'm not going to suggest lying on your application or resume. I don't do it. Not to mention the fact that its a federal offense...right? "Fake it till you make it," let me tell you it can go wrong, and downhill very fast for you if not executed correctly, or if you don't have enough common sense to make the right moves. Once I realized that I had that whole quick learner ability thing I knew what that phrase meant. It's not even lying. I guess it is really knowing your limitations. What you can handle and take on? Its all about knowing your talents, and your ability to pick things up.

I think the difference in my thought process about this is that fact that I use to be given a task, and would tell that person "yes," or "no" if I could do such task. Now, I think about it a little bit more, and try to scale if I can try to do it if it is something I've never done before. **side note: When I have to tackle something I've never done before I get a massive amount of anxiety. Of course I don't show it, I research the shit out of it, and figure it out. ** Once done I just gained experience, and learned something new! Well damn, that whole process of "fake it till you make it," worked! The person that gave me the task or whatever, is pleased, and now knows I have that certain skill without even knowing that I never once did such a task. Now you have the potential to be promoted, or when you switch jobs that manager, supervisor can vouch for you on even more levels, and skills!

I bring this up because I'm finding myself tackling a lot of things that I never have done before, and finding out that I'm not half bad at doing them. I guess I say "ok, I'll do it," to a lot of things without even doubting that I can actually do it, even though I never have previously. The "ok, I'll do it," method that I have acquired in my everyday life is building my skill set. I guess I am using the "fake it till you make it," method as well, but I see it as just having the confidence level in myself to take on new things. I'm not scared to learn new things, or at least try things on my own.

Confidence goes a looooong way in any career path. Isn't that the foundation of "Fake it till you make it?" I do so believe.



So, people have confidence, and I guess I can say, "Fake It Till You Make it!" 

...Just dont lie. lol