“Lessons From the Last Piece”

Hi everyone,

When we last talked, I had just finished a new project that left me questioning a lot about my work and where I wanted it to go in the future. I was definitely on the fence about the piece. There were aspects that I loved and others that I wasn't completely satisfied with.

After spending some time reflecting, I decided to write down everything I liked and disliked about the piece. Surprisingly, that exercise helped a lot. It allowed me to identify what was working, what wasn't, and what elements from previous works I wanted to carry forward into future projects.

Since then, I've been sketching constantly and developing ideas for a larger exhibition I have coming up in August or September, I can't remember the exact date at the moment. The exciting part is that since finishing that project, I've created three new pieces that I'm extremely proud of. I feel like they're moving in the direction I've been wanting my work to go.

I truly believe that every failure has something positive hidden within it. It may not feel that way in the moment, but reflection often reveals new ideas, new approaches, and new opportunities for growth. Looking back, that piece taught me a lot, and the lessons I learned from it directly influenced the work I'm making now.

I can't wait to share these new pieces and my progress with all of you soon!

On another note, I recently had work included in a show in New York. I shipped the pieces out a little while ago, and thankfully the exhibition went really well. I received some wonderful feedback on the work, which is always encouraging.

That said, shipping artwork still makes me nervous. There's always that fear that something could break in transit. I've been using a lot of foam when packaging my work, but it can get expensive. I was wondering if any fellow artists have suggestions for alternative packing materials that provide good protection without significantly increasing costs. I have a few exhibitions coming up in the future that will require shipping, so I'd love to hear what has worked for others.

I hope to talk with you all again soon and share more updates from the studio.

-Aubrey M