MEAT MARKET – show recap

Whew! The opening night of my first solo art show, “MEAT MARKET” was insanely fun. Way, WAY more people showed up than I anticipated, creating a street-side spill over outside of the diminutive, yet awesome Pot + Pantry shop where the show was held.

We (me, Steve, and Pot + Pantry owner, Donna) had a great time setting up the show, including the meat-astic front window display! Steve had the great idea of making extra large prints of the new meat watercolors I created for the show (each originally about 3 x3 inches) and hanging them in the window, creating a kind of butcher shop look.

We also had to figure out how to display the 21 pieces I made in the shop. This was a bit more challenging than say, a gallery show, where the white walls serve as a blank canvas for your arrangement. We wanted the great, homey, kitchen-like feel of the shop to remain, and just incorporate my pieces into the surroundings.

It was so crowded, and I was so overwhelmed by the turnout that I didn’t get shots of all the artwork, but here’s some!

large cow painting, with 4 small 5×5 “cheeky meat” watercolors

5 “cheeky meat” watercolors on the coffee shelf.
(And my “SF is for Carnivores” poster in the back. That one is always at the shop!)

close-up of 5 “cheeky meats” on the coffee shelf

“i like big butts” and “nice rack”

Above this shelf was the original “hot dog mystery” painting, enthusiastically purchased by the pastry chef at neighboring restaurant, Beast and the Hare. I heard a rumor it might be displayed somewhere in the restaurant!

center shelf, displaying 5 more “cheeky meat” watercolors

We also had some chicharrones provided by 4505 Meats (the same place where I took a pig butchery class), and some bacon caramel corn made by me.

But wait, there’s more! Dinner in the form of really freaking delicious vietnamese street food, like spicy pork bahn mi sandwiches, was available at the new TomKat! food truck. The food was delicious, and the guys were completely amazing and chill, despite the fact that our original parking place for them fell through, and they had to wait for Steve to sweet-talk the very very VERY kind neighbor who not only let us park the massive truck in her driveway, but ALSO gave Steve the code to her basement (!!!!) allowing TomKat to have an electricity source. (And yeah, she totally got a huge bouquet from Donna the next day!)

And for dessert? Who else but Kai, of Nosh This, slinging bacon studded chocolates and caramels out front?! (Follow him on Twitter, people)

Donna and I spent most of the week before debating how many people would show, and decided that we’d be happy with 45. By 8pm, I had stopped counting at 150 (!!) I guess I shouldn’t have worried, since Steve was on publicity duty, and did an amazeballs job.

Team Drywell!

Donna and I at the end of a looooong night. (and her husband)

The whole experience was so rewarding, both personally and professionally. It felt so nice to see so many of my friends and family there, and also incredible to meet so many new people who came out for the meat art! This time last year, I had made about 10 sales on Etsy, had never done a show, and definitely did not consider myself an artist. It is astonishing was can be accomplished if you say yes to opportunities, work hard, and put yourself out there.

Thanks to everyone who came out to see the show, drink free booze, eat awesome food, and buy some art!! Cheers!