Funny how life works....
Sometimes, an opportunity just lands in your WhatsApp inbox. That’s exactly what happened on January 19, 2025, when I received a message from Christien. Now, I didn’t know Christien personally, but she was in my contacts as the partner of Rob, our driver who sadly passed away in 2023. She followed my work through my WhatsApp status and often reacted to it (which I already found really nice 😍). But this time, she had a question: “Do you exhibit your work?”
“Absolutely! If the opportunity arises, I’m always open to it,” I replied.
Christien then explained that she volunteers at Stichting Kunstuitleen Maassluis and is mainly involved in organizing exhibitions. 🖼️ She offered to bring up my name during their meeting the next day. Well, I wasn’t going to say no to that!
Not long after, I received the good news: “The Kunstuitleen would love to have you exhibit!🥂 Can you drop by on Thursday?”
A Visit to Maassluis
On January 23, I drove into Maassluis for the first time. A beautiful area, though I had to search a bit for parking. Luckily, I found a large parking lot across from the library.
Inside, I was warmly welcomed by Christien and Erna, and together we checked out the exhibition space. A bit smaller than I had imagined, but totally fine! 😊 I took some photos 📸 to decide at home which pieces to bring, and we agreed that I would hang everything up on January 29. 📆
Then came the next challenge: writing a press release. ✍️ Because, yes, this would be published in the newspaper 📰 and printed on posters! I immediately got to work so it could still make Friday’s edition. ✅
Exhibiting with a Challenge (a.k.a. My Back…🤕)
On January 27, I got a message: my press release was online on
➡️https://www.maassluis.nu/nieuws/2025-02-xx-expositie-arty-by-esther/
➡️https://www.facebook.com/ErvaarMaassluis.nl/posts/expositie-bij-stichting-kunstuitleen-maassluis-bewonder-het-dierenrijk-door-de-o/1152458713553761/
Proud as a peacock! 🦚, though the photo of Isadora wasn’t fully visible… 😅 But that would be fixed.
Time to bring the artworks. Small problem: my back wasn’t cooperating 🤕, so I enlisted my husband as my designated lifter. 💪 Since parking in front of the library wasn’t allowed, I asked Christien if there was a back entrance. “Yes, on the side,” she said. But once we arrived, we had to go through the front after all.
Ah, communication… 🙃
The Exhibition Is Official!✨
The posters turned out beautifully (even though I would have preferred “Arty By Esther” on them, but I’ll let that slide 😉).
The deal is that 20% of sales go to the foundation, so sorry, folks—I adjusted the prices accordingly. 💰 But hey, the artworks are insured, the inventory list has been submitted 📜, and after the exhibition, two pieces will stay behind for people to borrow.
And now? Time to wait and see what this brings! 🤞 Either way, I’m featured on a few websites, and that alone is worth a little celebration! 🎉🥳
"The Mayor, FOMO, and My Questionable Life Choices" 😆
Februari 17,2025
Damn why didn't I go???
My art hangs behind them....
I had already been informed that the mayor would be stopping by and was asked if I wanted to be there. Now, based on past experiences, these things tend to be a bit underwhelming—lots of handshakes, polite nodding, and maybe a lukewarm cup of coffee. Plus, let’s be honest, an hour’s drive for that? I figured, nah, I’ll sit this one out.
But lo and behold, now there’s an article about it on Facebook, and suddenly… FOMO hits me like a freight train. Missed opportunity! Maybe I should’ve put on my fancy pants and made the trip after all. Oh well, next time I'll be there, front row, possibly even with a banner. 😆
Look at the artikel here➡️https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=620507050728082&set=a.126322620146530
February 29, 2024
The Great Art Retrieval Adventure
And just like that, another month has flown by! Today, I’m getting into my car for an hour-long drive.
My dear husband is also on his way because, according to my physiotherapist, my back is still in terrible condition. 🙄 (I think she enjoys reminding me.)
Upon arrival, I need to find out which paintings I’ll be leaving behind, so I’ll have to make another trip later.
Now, in my head, my appointment is at 3 o’clock. So, sharp at 3 PM, I hit the road.🚗 After a few kilometers, it suddenly dawns on me—wait a minute—I should have left at 2! 😱
Panic mode activated. I call Christien. No answer. I have no other number, and since I’m driving, I can’t look anything up. Plan B: Call my husband and confess my mistake. "Just keep driving," he says. So I do.🙂
Two minutes before 4PM, I screech to a halt in front of the building—right on a handicapped parking spot (oops)—and storm inside, apologizing profusely. But the four lovely ladies are completely unfazed. "We figured as much—traffic and all."
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot my artwork… on the floor. Ugh.😖 Cheap frames aren’t exactly built for this kind of treatment. But since I’m already late, I decide to bite my tongue.🙄
Packing begins. Now, I have my own system, of course. But the ladies, eager to go home, decide to "help" by grabbing the frames—with their fingers ON THE GLASS. And by the top edges. My fragile, budget-friendly frames are screaming in protest. But within five minutes, everything is packed.
And that’s when I realize—my pink metallic balloon dog drawing is missing. Cue detective music.😯
I check my inventory list. Yep, it should be here. Erna, however, insists otherwise. Doubt creeps in… Did I even bring it? But wait—I have video proof! 🎥
Erna sighs. "Looks like someone just… took it." Or, in less polite terms—stolen. 🤦♀️
Then I remember—my balloon dog was standing on a small easel. "Well, then they must have taken that too!" I say.
But just as I say it, Erna’s eyes suddenly land on the top of a cabinet. And there it is—the easel! Mystery solved.
Except… as she lifts it down, a broken frame and a damaged drawing appear underneath.🤨
Thankfully, they have insurance, and I’m reassured that everything will be sorted. Just need to hand over my bank details.
Then comes the final news: No sales.😕 Not much interest either. And those two pieces I thought were on loan? Turns out, they were supposed to be purchased—but won’t be.
But just when I start questioning my entire artistic career, I get an unexpected email.
Walter, a visitor to my website, sends me a message filled with compliments about my work. Always nice to hear! And then, just two days later, he reaches out again—this time asking to book a workshop with me.😍
Conclusion?
Exactly as expected! Apparently, my art isn't quite hitting the right audience. But do I let that stop me? Absolutely not. Next month, Spijkenisse—because persistence is key! 💪
But hey—I've got a lunch invitation from Christien! Sometimes, other things are more valuable.
With all my love,🌿
Arty By Esther
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