A retrospective reflection written in October 2026 · Learning to be visible
Making art and sharing art are two different things. I've always been comfortable getting lost in the making. Putting the finished work where people can see it takes another kind of energy.
I've had solo and group exhibition experiences, taught creative workshops and helped bring artists together over the years. Still, that doesn't mean sharing comes automatically every time I return to a new body of work.
Recently I've been trying to take the next small step instead of waiting until everything is perfectly organized. I can photograph a piece. I can talk about an experiment. I can show up at an event with the work I have.
Not everything needs to be for sale, and not everything needs to become a major announcement. Sometimes sharing means simply letting people see what I've made. That's a habit I want to practice more often.
My boyfriend and kids have reminded me that people can't enjoy artwork they never get a chance to see. That's such a simple thought, but it has stayed with me as I've begun sharing more of my abstract art, collages and handmade jewelry.
I want someone visiting Sears Island Studios to feel welcome whether they're an art collector, a friend, a fellow artist or someone who simply loves color and flowers. Inspirational art doesn't have to come with a lecture. Sometimes a piece brightens a room or sparks an unexpected memory, and that's enough.
Friends have also been a big part of finding the confidence to share again. Their excitement about seeing my art out in the world reminds me why it matters to stop keeping everything tucked away.
— Jaime