Art Launch - Major Arcana
I never seem to celebrate anything. My bar for myself is set high, and when I achieve it, I think, “Of course I did.” Then I move on to the next thing. I've never had an art launch before!
I have a terrible time celebrating my accomplishments. This year has been insane; I’ve done the coolest things in my entire life, and also have nearly forgotten I achieved them. I have spent about 8 months designing, hand-drawing, and editing this deck of cards. It’s a usable pole tarot card deck using local Sonoma County dancers and their poses to symbolize the entire major arcana of the Rider-Waite traditional tarot card deck. I spent hours finding names and poses that symbolized and matched each card, sourced reference pictures, and hand-drew each dancer. It was a huge undertaking. And I did it. I launched the deck and took a few promo shots. They turned out so pretty. One dancer commented that I should have a launch party. A launch party? For me? I don't think so. What a nice thought, though. Who is going to go to an art launch party for me?
And then I got a text. A local dancer with an absolutely stunning and large venue said she saw the comment and would donate her venue.
You know when you realize the world just presented the coolest opportunity on a silver platter? And you might not be 100% sure about taking it, but you also know that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity?
I read the message and put down my phone. I looked out the window, without really looking, and chewed my lip. Oh boy. I am about to do something crazy, aren’t I? I thought to myself.
What does an art launch party even look like? I thought. I started to pretend I was actually taking this opportunity. We need food, we need music, we need community.
Ok, let's do this thing. I thought.
We made the details and sent out the invite. That’s one really awesome thing about being a graphic designer: I can just make the poster.
I predicted maybe, if I was being so super lucky, 10 people might show up. But I shot for the stars and said maybe 20. Well, within the first five minutes of the invite being sent out, we were at 15. It steadily grew to 35.
The day of, I arrived at 11 am and started setting up. Blowing up balloons, putting little cute stars and moon confetti on the tablecloths. About 40 people showed up. Hosting is tough, but I was so excited. Adrenaline kept me going. I restocked the drinks, I restocked the food, I helped keep the vibe.
It was fantastic; a fair amount of people bought card decks, and everyone seemed to have a lot of fun.
I came home and went straight to bed around 8 pm that night.
The next day I was surprisingly physically sore, and my husband asked me if I regretted this opportunity. I said I didn’t at all. I didn't have to wonder if anyone would have shown up. I didn’t have to wonder if people would buy my cards. I didn’t have to wistfully think about this opportunity that slid through my fingers. I know exactly how it played out. People had fun. People bought the decks. People showed up and brought their friends, families, and even a baby! Some could only stay for 15 minutes; some stayed way past the time the music was off and the lights were on. I don’t have to wonder. And more importantly, I celebrated my artistic achievements. I NEVER do that. I really don’t.
When I published my first illustrated book earlier in the year, people texted me that they hoped I went out and ate a big dinner; they hoped I got cake for myself. I didn’t. Maybe I should have.
It was something I would have never done for myself. It was amazing. I loved it so much. I love the community, and thank you to everyone who helped me make this real. And for helping me celebrate my achievements.
Sometimes you just have to take life by the horns. I’m so grateful.
