Early this year I was invited to be the guest artist at Schwahn Salon in Mesa. Schwahn Salon is half salon and half art gallery owned by the kindest couple Michael and Kelly Marie whom I instantly connected with about 3 years ago. I agreed to do this for their October – December showing.
I have taught local classes and workshops out of state, sold at art vendor events, and have been published numerous times, my last remaining art goal has been to have my own solo art show. When opportunities have come up I have always defensively responded “I’m not ready.”
Time for Silver Moon to be transparent. I’ve always been quiet, one who tries not to complain or air my grievances. My entire life I’ve tried to be resilient, to remain strong, and not show my emotions. This deeply suppressed part of me which I was so good at hiding all came to a halt during quarantine 2020 when a lot of thinking became reality and then WOW! Was I floored to face my truth!
Fast forward to 2024. I have not only been creating but dusting off the cobwebs of some of my older art pieces, long time favorites of mine. As I’m holding these collages which teeter on being spooky to some, I can now honestly say there is PAIN in my art. There is blood indicating suffering, there are lips stitched shut representing my silent screams. And now I see eyes blacked out suggesting the sudden vision loss I have experienced this year. All this pain for years was disguised as a good quiet girl attending catholic school, who grew up listening to hard rock and loving scary movies. That was my belief.
All that denial has given me major anxiety to this day. Of course it is all more complex than that. As a result, I’ve sadly allowed this anxiety to limit my choices.
So I have taken this first brave step to show my art, fighting my insecurities. Being open to the grief I denied myself of feeling, hoping to touch someone who needs to know that you are never alone. I humbly ask the universe to protect me and give me strength while I send off the highest gratitude, for this opportunity.
Here are a few of the older collages I have come across.
LET’S PLAY (After Steve. Those joyful days no longer existed.)
SAVE ME (After Steve. How could I go on without him?)
A DREAM WITHIN A DREAM (After Steve. He was a guitar player. I missed the little performances he would give me. I’d watch his facial expressions, feeling the music then looking up to smile at me.)
ETERNAL LOVE (After Divorce. I never imagined another sudden loss)
SHE KNEW NOT (After Divorce. My once safe world had become a tumultuous tsunami of survival. I could no longer create at the pace I had once therapeutically embraced. I took an approximate 13 year hiatus. During this chaos, a few pieces were reluctantly created, made from the pressure of guilt rather than the spark of inspiration.)
In my journey, I have learned that progressing through life, even at a slow pace, is still a form of moving forward. There have been times when the weight of setbacks have threatened to sink me in deep despair, yet I found comfort in the belief that every step, no matter how small, is part of a greater journey. We are never alone. (11:11) I hope to give solace to those who may be navigating their own struggles through my art, providing a glimmer of hope and a reminder that even in the darkest of times we must NEVER GIVE UP.
Stay Positive * Work Hard * Make It Happen * Never Give Up
With love and affection,
Silver Moon
Ps I love Steve!