My First Art Show

I wanted to take a minute to reflect on something pretty amazing that happened recently — being part of the Artists at Work exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution's S. Dillion Ripley Center. When I submitted my work, I wasn't sure it would get picked. But then, there it was, up on display for everyone to see, surrounded by all this incredible art. It was such a surreal moment, and I'm still processing it.

This was my first time having my art in an exhibit, and it definitely had a big impact on me, both as an artist and as a person. I came away from it with a lot of thoughts and lessons, and I wanted to share some of what I've learned. It's changed the way I see my art and even how I think about the future.

Let's start with the hardest part: submitting my art. I was so nervous and somehow a little scared. If you're an artist or have ever put something personal out there for people to see and judge, you know what I mean. Art is personal, and sharing it can make one feel super vulnerable.

For a long time, I wasn't sure if I was ready to take the leap. Thoughts like, “What if no one likes it?” or “What if it's not good enough?” kept creeping in. But finally, I told myself, “What's the worst that could happen?” and went for it. And I'm so glad I did because it ended up being one of the best decisions I've ever made.

When I found out my piece had been selected, my first reaction was pure excitement. But almost immediately after that came a wave of imposter syndrome. I kept thinking, “Wait, me? Are they sure they picked the right person?” I reread the email so many times to be sure I hadn't misunderstood. Even as the excitement settled in, that feeling of “not good enough” still hung around.

But over time, I realized that this wasn't about being perfect or even the “best” artist. It was about sharing my work and embracing that my creative voice matters — imperfections and all. That realization was a huge step for me, and I'm still learning to trust that process.

One thing I didn't expect was how amazing it would feel to see people interacting with my art. I always knew art was a way to express myself, but I didn't fully understand how powerful it could be in connecting with others.

I remember standing by my artwork and watching people walk by. Some would stop to look at it, while others would just glance and keep moving. A few people even paused to talk with their friends about it, which was a surreal moment for me. I realized that something I created was making people stop, think, and even feel something. It made me see that art isn't just a one-way thing where I make something and people either like it or don't. It's more of a conversation, a back-and-forth between me and whoever's looking at my work.

One of the coolest moments was seeing someone smile while looking at my artwork. Knowing that something I made brought joy to someone else was just…wow. It reminded me why I create in the first place. Now, when I sit down to make something new, I think about the kind of connection I want to build with whoever will eventually see it. It's made me more thoughtful in what I create and helped me let go of trying to control how people will interpret my work. Once it's out there, it takes a life of its own, and I've come to love that part of the process.

I have to be honest; I dealt with imposter syndrome the whole way through. Even after being selected for the exhibit, I kept having moments where I questioned whether I belonged there. Was I ready for this? Was my art good enough to be displayed alongside all this amazing work?

Here's what I've learned: imposter syndrome doesn't just magically go away when you hit a milestone. You don't suddenly stop feeling doubtful just because something incredible happens. If anything, those doubts might show up more often when you're stepping outside your comfort zone.

But this experience taught me that those doubts don't define me or my work. It's okay to feel unsure sometimes — everyone does, especially when trying something new. The important thing is not letting those feelings stop you from moving forward. Being part of this exhibit gave me the chance to push through those fears and show up anyway. And it reminded me that there's no “perfect” artist. Every artist has moments of doubt, and that's just part of the process. I've learned to accept those feelings when they pop up but not let them get in the way of doing what I love.

If there's one big thing I took away from this experience, it's that this is just the start of my journey. Being part of the Artists at Work exhibit was amazing and gave me a lot of confidence, but it also opened my eyes to how much more I want to do.

I left the exhibit feeling more motivated than ever to keep growing as an artist. It gave me the confidence to dream bigger, take more risks, and trust that I'm on the right path, even when things feel uncertain. It also reminded me of the impact art can have on others, and that's something I want to keep at the heart of everything I do with Fernly Studio.

This experience taught me a lot about who I am as an artist, and I'm carrying those lessons with me as I move forward. I'm more excited than ever to keep creating and sharing my journey with you — not just through my artwork but also here on this blog and in my newsletter.

One of the biggest things I've learned is that I want to keep putting my work out there. I plan to enter more art shows and exhibitions and can't wait to see what comes next. If you're thinking about starting your own creative journey or just beginning to put your work out into the world, I hope this post encourages you to keep going. It's not always easy, but every step you take gets you closer to where you want to be.

Check out the Artists at Work exhibit if you're in the area! It's running until March 21, 2025, at the Smithsonian Institution's S. Dillon Ripley Center in Washington, D.C. There's so much incredible art on display, and I'm honored to be part of it. You can find more info about the exhibit here.