Yesterday, I opened the doors to my home studio for the second time. I set the table with cheese, wine, tea and coffee, lit a candle, and waited with that fluttery mix of nerves and excitement. My partner—my beautiful muse—was by my side when the clock struck 10am. And then… nothing. Not for the next two hours.
The sky was grey, the rain constant. We sat. We waited. Eventually, I told him to head off and run his Saturday errands. I took a deep breath, trying not to let the silence sting too much.
But then… at 12:15pm, the doorbell rang.
A Slow Start, A Soft Shift
My dear friend and her husband arrived after driving nearly an hour in the rain. I felt a wave of gratitude wash over me. Not long after, one of my yoga friends arrived with her mum, followed by a former colleague and long time friend, and then a beautiful former dance student and friend. Each one brought their own light into the room.
Suddenly, the space was warm and alive. We walked around the studio. I was curious to know which pieces of art they were drawn to and why, each person had affinity to different pieces and they each saw something unique in the art they were called to.
At first, I caught myself pointing them toward low-cost pieces — watercolours and prints. But something in their eyes stopped me. They weren’t just browsing. They were looking for something that spoke to their hearts.
That’s when it hit me:
I was undervaluing not just the art, but the power and connection it carries. And I shifted.
The Beauty of Being Seen
They each chose bold, meaningful, soulful works.
I asked them where the piece would hang in their home, how it made them feel, and watched as they softened into the moment—proud, excited, lit up.
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My dance friend took home a canvas print that reminded her of her femininity and inner strength.
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My yoga friend fell in love with a Sophia Loren mixed-media painting with a message about mindfulness collaged beneath the paint layers, to keep in her office—a reminder to look within.
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My former dance student friend beautiful soul, an animal communicator, chose a leopard piece with impressionist vibes — drawn in by the feline energy and intuitive power.
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And my former colleague friend selected an expressive piece along with a delicate watercolour about healing touch.
Each exchange felt sacred. Not just a sale, but a beautiful exchange of energy and inspiration. A reflection of their inner world.
Returning to What’s Close
What struck me most was this: these people weren’t strangers. They’ve been part of my journey—through dance, yoga, psychology, friendship. They know me. They feel the love I pour into each brushstroke. They see something in my work that reflects something in themselves.
I realised I’d been looking outward when I really needed to begin inward—return to the warmth of my existing community. These beautiful souls reminded me of that. They reminded me that the people who already know and love you might just be your most cherished collectors.
This wasn’t just an open studio. It was a homecoming. And my heart is still full.
💫 A Little Note
If you’ve been thinking of collecting one of my pieces, or simply want to stay in the loop for my next open studio day, I’d love to keep in touch. Subscribe at popiart.com or contact me to organise a private studio tour by contacting me via email Click here to get in touch
Thank you for being here. You help me keep showing up, keep creating, and keep believing.
