A retrospective reflection written in October 2026 · Preparing for an art event
Preparing artwork for an event is its own kind of creative project. There's the fun part, deciding which pieces to bring, and then there's the practical part: labels, displays, packaging and figuring out how everything will fit.
As I've returned to showing my work, I've been reminded that I enjoy meeting people who stop to look. Sometimes someone is drawn immediately to a color or texture that I almost overlooked. Sometimes they ask a question that makes me see a piece differently.
Showing art can feel vulnerable, especially when the work is personal or experimental. But it can also be energizing. It moves the artwork out of my studio and into a conversation with someone else.
I'm learning to enjoy the process instead of treating every event like a test I need to pass. It's an opportunity to share, learn and keep going.
There is something funny about preparing for an art show: one minute I'm feeling inspired by a beautiful abstract painting, and the next I'm trying to figure out where I put the price tags or whether a display will stand upright.
My boyfriend and kids have been encouraging as I've stepped back into sharing my work publicly. That support matters, because exhibitions are exciting but can also be nerve-racking. I especially enjoy watching people respond to the variety, from expressive art and flower-inspired colors to smaller collage pieces and jewelry.
My friends have been wonderfully supportive of putting my work in front of people again. Knowing there are people cheering me on makes the practical chaos of an exhibition feel a lot more manageable.
— Jaime