I had a fantastic time last weekend at my pop-up exhibition at King’s Cross Canopy Market. This market was the first place I sold my art and the community there really helped me learn about the business of Art, what customers will want and enjoy, and also helped shape what I wanted to create. So, it was incredible to be back in this space, where I was a regular trader before, amongst friendly faces in a familiar space.

I hadn’t shown any of these paintings before in person and so it was great to get feedback and see how people reacted to the pieces I’ve been making over the last few months. I hung 13 canvases from the last 4 months of creating, including pieces I had painted in Sicily.

Although the market wasn’t as busy as it can be due to tube strikes, plus August is usually a bit quieter, there were plenty of positive reactions from people who came by and checked out my art. People often talk about Art therapy and the power of creating, but I really felt that the exhibiting and the conversations started by my paintings were more therapeutic than the creating itself.

Creating for me is something I do in isolation. Even when I am happy with a piece, there is something lacking until it’s shared and I can hear what other people think of or feel when they look at it. I like to know how others experience my art and even with the pieces, I love most, the exhibiting and the discussions will help shape my feelings toward pieces considerably.

In all, a wonderful weekend. I met lots of new people, sold a few things, and got a good sense of how what I am creating is perceived. For me being able to see how close that perception is to my intentions will help guide me as I create my next pieces.