The Social Media Effect

July 31, 2026--Social media has amplified our instinct to share our best selves while hiding our flaws — and if you scroll without that awareness, it's easy to feel like the least interesting person on the planet. That's the origin of this post's title: I'm in an art lull, which is normal, but not something I'd usually feel compelled to share. After an exciting first market where I sold two significant pieces, I revamped my tent display, logo, and overall presentation — quite a bit in six weeks. The two shows since have each taught me something valuable, and in the meantime I had a reception for my winning 2026 Wake County Public Library bookmark contest entry, with two more artist receptions coming up — one for The Future is Bright and one at Red Hand Brewing Company. That's not nothing. Still, amid these validating experiences, I've received only waitlisted and "not invited" responses from art shows lately — partly because painting landscapes is the most competitive category out there. So what have I been doing? Painting. I've been disciplined about smaller, more accessible pieces while also letting loose on a couple of large canvases — and I may finally be ready to tackle the 4x5-foot canvas that's been living in the upstairs hallway.