the struggle is real...digital art edition

The struggle is real.

🫠 Struggle #1: It's May, and I'm just now reflecting on events from December 2023. My procrastination seems to know no bounds, and the last several months have been an absolute whirlwind.

🔄 Struggle #2: My website has undergone more makeovers than any HGTV show. Is it procrastination or perfectionism? Even Lana Urso noticed, saying, "You changed your website...again!" (I love it when people notice!)

Sigh

But, on the bright side, our team has grown—initially just two, now we're four strong. Five, if you count my always-supportive husband and six with our adorable doodle. Don't miss out on the tea ☕️ —subscribe to my newsletter here to keep up with all the updates!

Time to refocus on the art rather than the endless digital tweaks. We've transitioned from Squarespace to Shopify, streamlining how we manage digital art prints, commissions, and collaborations, especially with music festivals and events. (End of shameless plug).

🔄 Let's rewind to last November when this adventure began.

November: The Artistic Process

After parting ways with my previous job earlier in the year, I dived into digital art challenges that I had yet to perfect. One of those challenges was hair rendering—a crucial element that, if not done right, can add 10 to 20 minutes per frame to export. That's unsustainable for the 840 frames I was working with.

I had also redone the piece I was working on…maybe about 4-6x. To top it all off, I had about six incredible installations in the works at the same time.

Fast forward to December, and I felt the stirrings of what would become a significant milestone in my art career: Miami Art Week; here I come!

December: Miami Art Week

Finally, the moment had arrived—I was showcasing my digital art at a prestigious event, and who better to join me than my mother-in-law, MILLY? Despite the trip, she's one of my biggest supporters, traveling cross-country to be by my side.

🔌The Show Unfolds

As I started setting up at the iconic SLS Hotel and Sagamore Hotel, I quickly realized I had overlooked the practical supplies. There I was, scrambling around in a somewhat comical frenzy, searching for enough electrical plugs and essentials. Thankfully, the event staff saved the day!

The nerves started settling in as I realized that hundreds of people were finally about to see the art into which I had poured so much of my love, time, and energy. I hoped they would understand and resonate with the emotions I was trying to portray in my work.

What My Art Represents

🎵 The centerpiece of my exhibit was an animation of flowing hair, symbolizing freedom and vitality. I wanted to offer viewers an escape from our rapid digital existence and a moment to appreciate the beauty of now.

Have you ever experienced that feeling of pride and excitement when someone truly appreciates your work?

I had that moment when someone told me how cool it was to see my artwork perfectly in sync with the background music - as if it was dancing to the beat! Even though it wasn't actually doing that, I had meticulously calculated the bpm to create the illusion of a seamless choreography.

Redefining Digital Interaction

🌐 As Christos Makridis said in my very first feature…in Forbes, I might add (*gasp*), "The interactive 3D space aims to redefine digital communication and interaction, setting the stage for future digital experiences." This showcase at Miami Art Week was just the beginning.

Strategic Partnerships Enhancing Artistic Expression

There were 6 installations spread across the venues on both nights. I had the opportunity to observe people's reactions to my work without them realizing who I was. It was pretty fascinating to hear their unfiltered thoughts and interpretations of my art.

The show's highlight was a 26-inch frame that caught the eye of a private collector in Miami who purchased it!

😮Eeek!

😲Gawkk !

🤩Wow!

It was a huge deal for me! My art would be displayed alongside well-known artists in a collection worth $2 million. Pretty incredible for my first show.

Later on, the collector also wanted a custom-made fabricated pedestal. We collaborated with a fabricator in Miami to get it exactly to the dimensions and sizing the collector wanted. (see pictures for the final result)