Thank You, Thank You.

The show opening went off without a hitch on Friday and I wanted to send you all my heartfelt, heart-bursting, feeling all the feels, thanks with a big dose of gratitude. Thank you all for your support.

It is an uncanny thing being an artist, making art to share, working to sell it, having other people believe in you so much they will give you precious wall space to show it, and then, AND THEN having strangers showing up, getting on planes from other states even1, friends and family coming to the party, all because of the art you made.

It is wonderful, and joyful, and supportive, and loving, and just so much fun to be here and doing what I’m doing. So thank you for all the kind words, the texts, the comments, the messages, the being there in person, the promises to go look, and the wishes they could have been there - thank you.

Although, I’ll be honest, I’m not used to posting so many pictures of myself!

We had some great sales last week, especially the night of the show. I was blown away by the response to my one-artist, two-mediums show and am just tickled that I can do something so drastically different and have it land for people.

They got it. They got the windows. They got the arrangements. They got the color and also the not color. It feels good that what I am trying to say is coming across and hitting home for people. That people see these landscapes out in the wild and they see art. That the environment is not just something we pass through, but that we inhabit, that we live in, that we rely on, and that it is stunningly beautiful, hauntingly incredible, if we all just stop for a few minutes to appreciate it.

BIG THANKS to the staff of Gallery MAR. As always, ya’ll just knock it out of the park with you efforts, your promotions, your hospitality, and of course, your sales. Literally could not do it without all of you gorgeous people.

And of course thanks to the love of my life, who for some reason told me many years ago, “Yes, you should follow your dreams and be an artist” even with all the “What Ifs,” and “But…” that I could imagine as way to talk myself out of it. Thank you for talking me back into it every time I questioned myself.

Also thank you to Hollye Shepherd for her great photography the night of the show. Such a pleasure to have someone tell us where to stand and where to look. And obviously having someone document the work and people interacting with it. All of these photos are from Hollye, who does amazing work. Hire her.

The show was obviously a high point to the last few months of work, which I began waaaay back in July. I have become a different person since I began that work all those months ago. I am growing every day more confident in my abilities and learning that sometimes letting go of control is easier and more enjoyable. And finally learning that making art is a dance, not a solo dance, but a group dance with myself, the materials, the world, and those that help and support that process.

And throughout that I learned a good and important lesson - there is no time like the present to just do the thing you’ve been thinking about for years. Or at least try and start. I’ve been thinking about my unusual diptych and triptych arrangements for years, and now was finally the time to do it, and I’m so glad I did. Here’s your sign to just start THE THING.

So again, thank you, thank you. A number of paintings have sold and are in fact in their new homes or on their way, but there are still many on view, so go in sooner rather than later to see them.

All photos courtesy of Hollye Shepherd

See The Work At Gallery MAR

But sadly, my high from the show was tempered with a loss in our family. It is with regret that the show happened without my father-in-law Skip, in attendance. He peacefully passed last week after a full and vibrant life. Matt’s father, Capt. Arthur John Meinhold, aka Skip, was in the second class of Top Gun, like the real life Top Gun, as a Navy Pilot. He flew F-14s off the Kitty Hawk and served his country and his family faithfully and with great honor. We will miss you Skip (and your outstanding mustache), but are glad you are surrounded now by all our pets and your family and friends, who have welcomed you home. Be sure to visit us Skip in both our memories and our gatherings - you are always welcome.

Also Happy Veterans Day to all who have served. Thank you. Thank you.