Fear, Growth, and Gallery Walls

Friday, January 17, 2025 at the Soulard Art Gallery

Freaking Out and Doing It Anyway

Let’s raise a toast to being uncomfortable! Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned lately, it’s that pushing through discomfort can lead to some pretty amazing experiences.

With fear, hesitation, and maybe a little bit of nervous sweating, I decided to enter not one, but two local art shows. And because I apparently like to stress myself out, these submissions were back to back. Double the anxiety, double the fun!

But here’s the best part—I was accepted into both!

Perception | 2024 | 18” x 24” | watercolor, graphite, pastel on paper | Sold (private collector)

First Stop: Metamorphosis at Soulard Art Gallery

My piece, Perception, found a home at Soulard Art Gallery’s Metamorphosis exhibition, which ran from January 17th through February 14th, 2025. This 18”x24” watercolor explores transformation through the symbolism of an eye intertwined with the organic beauty of a flower. The eye at the center represents an awakening—a shift in perception, growth, and change.

The opening night was electric. People were shoulder to shoulder, live music played, and the hum of conversations filled every corner of the space. For someone with social anxiety, this was basically the equivalent of being thrown into the deep end of the social pool. But I survived! And more importantly, I felt an immense sense of pride seeing my work on the wall, surrounded by other incredible artists.

In the Quiet of Her Awakening | 16”x20” | watercolor, graphite, gouache on watercolor paper

Round Two: Growth + Resistance at Maypop Coffee & Garden Shop

A few weeks later, I had another opportunity to push my limits. My second piece, In the Quiet of Her Awakening, was accepted into Growth + Resistance, an exhibition at Maypop Coffee & Garden Shop running from February 6th through March 6th, 2025.

This 16”x20” watercolor with graphite is a reflection on resilience. The central figure, delicate yet strong, exists within a tapestry of flowers, symbolizing transformation. Her eyes—windows to the soul—draw the viewer in, while the surrounding dreamlike colors echo the ebb and flow of internal growth.

This opening was a little more relaxed, and thankfully, so was my social anxiety. I managed to mingle, sip my coffee like a normal human, and even engage in some meaningful conversations without feeling like I needed to bolt for the nearest exit.

The Takeaway: Keep Submitting, Keep Growing

Being part of both of these exhibitions has been an honor—and a learning experience. If you’ve ever hesitated to put yourself out there, whether in art or anything else, let this be your sign to go for it. It’s terrifying, sure. But it’s also exhilarating, rewarding, and a step toward something greater.

And I’m not stopping here. More submissions are on the horizon. I have my sights set on upcoming gallery shows, art festivals, and—dare I say it?—my very own solo show someday. The idea still makes my palms sweaty, but hey, growth isn’t supposed to be comfortable, right?

So here’s to stepping outside our comfort zones, making art, and saying “yes” even when it’s scary. Because in the end, that’s where the real magic happens.