Um... so this happened:
 |
| What's that big red dot next to my chickadees? |
I have two linocuts on exhibit at The Natural Eye, the annual exhibition of the Society of Wildlife Artists at the Mall Galleries in London. Just getting into the exhibition was a thrill, as it's the biggest wildlife show in the UK and beyond.
And then last night I received a text message from an artist friend who lives in New York and also participates in this exhibition. He happened to be hiking in Montana and sent me a photo of the mountains with the comment, "Congratulations on your award at the SWLA show."
Um. What?
He had apparently been in touch with another artist colleague who was at the preview and awards reception last night, and she told him I'd won an award.
I thought surely there was some mistake. But, nope. It's on their website, and today the director of exhibitions at the Mall Galleries sent me an official congratulatory email for receiving the The Head & Heart Award
Over time, the natural world has become more absorbing, astonishing and important to us. It’s a place apart from the noise of daily life and somewhere to reflect and recharge. So we give this award to the artist whose work most reflects these feelings and thoughts, moving our hearts and our heads, and allowing us to see the familiar in a fresh and unfamiliar way.
The appropriate Britishism to use here is "gobsmacked." With so much outstanding work in the exhibition it seemed impossible that my little chickadee, "Rainy Days and Mondays," would receive such important notice. But there you have it. I'm honored and grateful. Thank you to all the show organizers and sponsors. And thanks to Amie Haslen at Hare and Tortoise who did my framing for the exhibition and provided this photo of the installation!
