I was on the Samtrans bus to work, when I saw the hotel sign LIA - Life is art.
That's how it feels that life is art. Every day is a new chapter and a new page in this book called Life.
On Jan 21, I submitted three photographs to the art selection at the Redwood City library.
On Feb 21, I received an acceptance letter congratulating me for being selected for the next art exhibit at the Redwood shores library for March and April 2024.
A flood of joy and happiness spread through me. When I started to take photos I never thought this moment would come to be. I love walking into a museum and being in awe with the work of art or photograph and think about the artist behind the scenes.
Now that is going to be me on display for the next 2 months. I never thought this would come true, but here we are. The universe unfolding and conspiring in ways that can be.
And then the panic came right after - I have 10 days to figure this all out. A first-time artist getting ready for the exhibition. But there was also some calm because this library is right next to my office. What are the odds…
So I did what I do best.. turn my anxiety into action and I put together a plan of what needs to get done.
Monday, March 4th is my day to set up. At first I thought it was three photos, but then over emails and conversations I realized I need minimum 12 photos with a large print of minimum dimension 12x16.
And the photos need to be framed or canvas print with a hanging wire at the back so I can set it up in the library hallway which will be the space for my photo exhibit.
I blocked off time to go check out the library so I have an idea of the space and what I'm going to be working with in terms of layout.
The library staff were kind and amazing and gave me the courage and hope that I can make this happen.
At first I thought I will print them on canvas but overtime it didn't feel right. I wanted more flexibility. So, I decided to go with framed photos.
After over 10 phone calls to different stores and art or photo centers, I found a few options that could work. And I learned about hanging wire for art display. Every day is a new day to learn.
And this is a moment I will cherish. I'm excited to bring a part of me in the story with my artist statement and the label descriptors for each photo.
I can now imagine how my mom feels every time she has a exhibition for her boutique and getting ready for it. I applaud her tenacity and courage to keep going and doing whatever it takes.
Rainbow
I had started working on my next book at the end of January, ‘Love blooms: Flowers around the world’, this couldn't be a coincidence could it?
I looked at the hallway space, where I will set up my photos. And they had the Smithsonian Black History posters set up. No pressure to follow that exhibit…
I ordered a set of six 12x16 and a set of six 16x20 frames and the hanging wire kit, so I can install it myself. When I checked one of the art stores they said it would cost $10 per frame for them to add a hanging wire. And guess what, I was able to find the hanging wire kit for less than $10. But boy did it take a lot of patience to get the hanging wire setup done ~6+hours to get the photo and frame with the hanging wire.
Next step is to select the photos for these 12 frames on display for the exhibit. I chose the theme of the rainbow and the VIBGYOR colors. It resonated with me and felt right at home. Did I tell you my parental family home name is rainbow? 🌈
I wanted to have different flowers from around the world on display following the colors - violet / indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red.
And my roommate and dear friend helped me shortlist 12 photos to print as posters at the CVS photo center.
12x16 poster print is $15
16x20 poster print is $20
I looked at different websites - Costco photo print / shutterfly, bay photo, office Depot and this seems to be the one that works for me. UPS and Fedex didn’t have photo paper.
This is the first time, I'm making an investment and it was scary. I think it also comes from seeking a space of abundance and moving away from living a life of scarcity and shortage.
I'm scared and nervous but also excited for this opportunity as the doors open.
Thank you to the library staff and my friends and family for your support. I'm grateful to have you to take me off the edge. And be a listener as I walk through what needs to be done. And to review the copy to make sure it is ok.
As I get ready to self-publish my book on Thursday, March 21, a beautiful spring equinox, I had planned to have a meet the artist hour at the Redwood shores library, Redwood city. But that isn’t feasible as per the guidelines and restrictions.
Check out the photo exhibit when you are in the peninsula, San Francisco Bay area at the Redwood shores library - March to April 2024.
The power of words and colors
Every morning on my walk, the ideas unfold and I plan to include the power of words as the titles of my photos, a word art that one of my mentees and dear friend created in 2022. And there are six of them. Perfect.
And during my travels, I would give a bookmark to a dear friend as a thank you for being a part of my life.
And I also want to bring feelings and emotions into the colors of the rainbow.
Red: the color of passion and love
Orange: the color of creativity and warmth
Yellow: the color of hope and happiness
Green: the color of peace and growth
Blue: the color of trust and curiosity
Indigo: the color of harmony
Violet: the color of connection and belonging
Art is therapy
Art is therapy and a space for healing. In Feb 2020, as I was navigating anxiety, flowers were my happy place - calm and peace. I noticed the dates/years of the photos - 2021 - 2023 -- a time of healing..
We lost a dear friend and a kind soul and I am grieving. It’s unfair to lose the fight at a young age. We will miss you deeply. Rest in peace NM!
It makes me more committed to do the meaningful work I do - to make a difference and to share our struggles. We are in this together.
Be kind - you never know the battles we are all fighting.
You are enough!
Synchronicity
Guess what I just had a realization while chatting with a wellbeing participant who is also turning 40 this year like me.. And want to share it with you..
It's an aha moment for me… this is synchronicity at its best.
I was born in '84.
I work 8am to 4pm
4pm to 8pm is time for self-care, learning, cooking and rest
I sleep 8pm to 4am
4am to 8am is time to get ready for the day
Isn't that fascinating.. it took me 40 years to find this beautiful pattern and this is a special year for me - a milestone.. in awe with the miracles of the universe .. 😍
Yes, rest has become a core of who I am and I realize a part of me is autistic and needs the rest so much more than I ever understood before in my life.
In the past, I struggled on why I would feel so tired and exhausted to the bones in certain scenarios and environments. And now I have an understanding and seeking tools to help me take care of myself and find the environments where I thrive.
I stopped driving in 2017 and it's been more than 7 years and I don't miss it. It's actually liberating and is my freedom. Actually it's one last thing for me to worry about and not let the anxiety get me. This has been important in everything that I do to find the things that have been negative spaces and let it go.
For folks driving is freedom and for me it's the opposite. Not having to drive is my freedom and flexibility.
Open your mind, heart and soul for the road ahead …
Life is art … art is therapy ...
To process my grief, I read this page from the Alchemist from a friend’s home.
Every search begins with beginner’s luck. Every search ends with the victor’s being severely tested. - Paulo Coehlo, The Alchemist.
This feels like another test for me to learn to recommit to my purpose.