You can't just paint...

... all day in your studio, as tempting as this seems. From time to time you have to take your work and put it out there and let other people feel their emotions, express their opoinion, relive their experience and challenge it with yours. But most of all: you will have to let them judge.

Sounds frightening? Yes, it is, terrifying even.

As long as I am in my studio, I can be happy dreaming that the only reason my paintings are not decorating various walls in the biggest museums on this planet is due to the simple fact, that I haven's sent them there, yet.

Of course I regularly get feedback from my friends, being dearly nice and kind people, never wanting to offend me. And yes, I get some likes on a post online from now and then, for a photo taken with my phone, which reduces my one meter masterpiece to three centimeters on another scrolling device. But nevertheless, being my own worst critic, those little and big encouraging glimpses are usually enough, to keep me working.

So, in spring of 2024 I decided it was time to leave the safety of my oliveyard and put my work out there in the world - or at least in the wider region. To be honest, it was less of an active decision, but a call from a friend, inviting me to participate in an Art Festival in the marvelous town of Karytaina in August. And since I was already facing all the anxiety and terror of exhibiting my most personal work out there, I thought it would make sense to organize another, individual exhibition, just some days later, near the town I live and mostly for my friends and people who know me.

As it turned out, like in most cases in our lives I guess, the whole anxiety was absolutely redundant. Both exhibitions turned out to be enhancing, joyful events, with beautiful friends lending hands, my children helping, and the visitors enjoying deep discussions. All in all evenings full of meaningful exchanges of views and experiences, and last but not least, emotions. There is, in the end, nothing more beautiful and rewarding than seeing other people react emotionally to your paintings.

Thank you all for that!