How Wednesdays Became My Favorite Day
One day in August, I was out taking pictures, as I tend to do on a daily basis. On this particular day, the camera app of choice at the time was acting up, and wouldn't always capture a picture I had snapped. This ended up being a fortuitous issue. It meant that a week later, I had to go back to the same location, to attempt to get the missing photos.
I was shooting street art, and signs on Gorilla House Art Gallery. When I went back, I noticed the door was open, I entered hesitantly, and asked the man seated at a table if it was okay for me to walk around and take pictures. Rich, as I later discovered was his name, asked me questions about my photography, as I shot pictures of the art on display. He asked if I have lots of photos; "Are we talking hundreds?" I handed him one of my newly acquired business cards, and he sat me down to watch a YouTube video on the live art battles that are held every Wednesday night. He told me he had wanted a photgrapher to compete, and asked me to put a photo book together that he could feature in the gallery.
I left wondering what had just happened. It was elated, and scared, yet intrigued about participating in the art battle. A waited a couple weeks before going back. When I returned, I had already told two friends in particular that I was competing, and I stayed in contact with them via messenger.
The basic rundown of the battles works like this: Artists arrive at the gallery, at 7:00, the host spins the wheel, and gives us three different themes/inspirations. We then have 2 - 2.5 hours to create our piece before the auction. All other artists create on site, and the public can arrive at any time to watch art being created. I leave so I can shoot, edit, print, and frame my piece. I was nervous that first night, but I was committed to doing a great job. I drove out to a random location, and started shooting pictures, it was a neighborhood I hadn't been to in a while, and I got distracted by a variety of things I wanted to take pictures of. I had to remind myself that I was on a schedule. When I was driving home, I came up with a completely different idea I wanted to try. (This is a recurring theme with my during battle.)
I was struck with inspiration, while thinking about one of my two friends on the other end of the phone. She was busy at the time, and didn't know she had inspired me. I was happy with my piece, and drove back to the gallery. I thought I was nervous before, but it was worse when I got back and saw the gallery was full of spectators, people who would be bidding on art. My friend J reminded me to breathe, as I reported numbers to her. She knew I was waiting to find out if my piece would advance to auction stage. It did, but with the two hour time difference, I knew she wouldn't be available for the rest of the night.
Not only did my piece make it to the auction, but it brought in more money than I had imagined it would. The lovely man that bought it, said it was the words that I put with the photo that really made him want to buy it. I spoke to other people as the night went on, and other artists introduced themselves to me, and asked if I'd be back the following week.
That first night was such a great experience. Rich checked to make sure I had enjoyed myself, that I was happy with how the night went, and the money that was paid for my first piece.
When I got home, J messaged me to ask how it went. I gave her a full report, including how she had inspired my first piece. That was also the night she became my muse, she continues to inspire and challenge me on a regular basis.
Now, I know it would take something really big to make me miss a battle night. Tomorrow will be my sixth battle, and I honestly look forward to it every week. I love how it challenges me, and sometimes puts me out of my comfort zone. I now have three friends who I check in with, and bounce ideas off of. All three are huge supporters of my photography. Last week, hours before battle, I went to the post office to pick up my book. Wow. My book! Still feels weird to say that, and I took a copy of it to the gallery with me. Those three friends were all thanked in my book. Rich loves the book, and bought a copy for himself.
I am so grateful that he opened Gorilla House in June, that he has a space for so many of us to come, and feed our creative hunger, and for him believing in my photography enough to encourage me to do a book. It is such a great group to be a part of. The art that is created in such a small allotment of time is amazing. If you live in Calgary, I encourage you to come to battle nights and support local artists.
Here's the video from last week's event:
https://www.youtube.com/user/gorillahouseliveart?feature=results_main
