After a few weeks of designing, my newly revamped website is now up and running - in conjunction with my very first gallery show in 4 years.

When I set out to do the Nudes Show it was over a year ago, but it never got off the ground for one reason or another, so I left it alone until just a little over 9 weeks ago. I had one piece complete from that time a year ago, but needed 9 more to complete the show. The goal was 10 paintings, 10 drawings for the show. I had nine weeks to do it, revamp my site and also find a way to earn a little extra money on the side so I could devote the majority of time to my art and to the promotion of this new show (which I love doing nudes btw and what better way to come back into the world of art - then to be naked!!! :). I did not get 10 paintings completed. I was able to get 9 pieces completed, plus the 10 life drawings. Do I feel defeated at all? No, it was fun and the artist I am doing the show with (Sarah Lacy) is very excited as well. Sarah Lacy approached me roughly about a year ago as well and wanted me to teach her skin toes, life drawings, etc... She already had some great skill for just coming out of her teens and I liked what she was doing, but I suggested to work with nudes and flesh and really push the limits on her approach to the body, but it wasn't until early April that we finally decided to do the show and then we finally got started painting at the end of May. In these situations (Teacher/Student) it is never just me teaching and her learning - I thinked I learned just as much as she did. Plus, I don't "teach" teach. I merely make suggestions that mostly refer to allowing what needs to come out, to do so. I'm the non-teaching, teacher!!! I just figured that her expression is her own. What comes through her is her's to work with. I did not want to influence her style and approach, but merely to open her eyes slightly to some possibilities - which opened up her eyes to countless possibilities - and for a first time, first show effort at just 20, I would say she did amazingly! Even with her busy schedule of moving to another Province (she'll be flying back for the opening so that is a plus!!!).

Anyway, I'm getting long-winded. The show has taken a bit of a toll on me in terms of my time to sleep, eat, etc... and I have went down a suit size from 40 to 38. None-the-less I feel good. It has not been easy though on other levels emotionally, mentally, etc... as I do have to maintain some presence in my household. However, when compared to what others are having to deal with on this planet - it was a cake-walk of sorts. My goal was to make this show as all-encompassing as possible. I wanted benefit to go to the many rather than the few. I brought Sarah in to give her a chance at a show, I chose a gallery that would allow me the freedom to move the earnings to benefit a local charity and I kept this first show local to help a downtown core that is struggling and needs support. Did I make the right choices? I think so. That is what kept me going, knowing that what I do will have that all-encompassing aspect to it inside of me. Will it make a difference? Don't know. I have found that sometimes the beauty of life is an inner knowing that by me changing how I do things (from the time I pick out a canvas, to the time I close the show), my intentions were clear - to in some way be of service to others and use what I have to do so. Like I said, I may never know if this actually helped, but it has helped me move from the conditions I thought art and galleries and shows and money were all about and into a new thought, that I am certain over time will change as well, but it will always have that one component attached to it - to be of service to others.

Enough of my ramblings for one day.

New site is up and pieces from the new show are there as well.

Thank you to all who gave me encouragement to keep going even when I felt like packing it all in or going to bed early. You will never truly know how much that means to me and how it helped me get over some rough spots in the last 2 months (and nearly a year or so beforehand).

Much respect,
CP

http://www.christopherpew.com