After Exhibition GLOW

As I left on the last day of my final show at cre8ery, I snapped this photo, incredibly proud of myself.

Dear friends, fans, and followers,

My last exhibition, "Beyond the Green, Building Perspectives & Layered Emotions," was absolutely incredible in terms of feeling loved and supported as I closed out the chapter of being a gallery owner after 23 years, 18.5 as cre8ery. Some of you cried and others shared their favourite moments at my gallery with me. I felt your emotions towards this massive decision that was both exciting and scary! I knew when I made this decision that I was changing the landscape of our art community, that it would never be the same for many of the artists with studios or with past memberships. I knew that a lot of artists would become displaced, but you understood that I had reached my limit and that my health and wellness come first and foremost.

Retirement gift from Elena El, studio artist for most of the time we were open. Yes, I welled up in tears as she gave it to me. Amazingly thoughtful. Its now hanging in my home office.

What was most important to me, while my exhibition was on, is that you showed up, congratulated me, said hi, maybe purchased a hand-painted card, a printed card, or several, or you made a larger purchase to add to your collection. It's not always about selling the work but appreciating the work. Some of you left the most incredible notes in my guestbook, ones that made me tear up. If compliments on the positivity behind my work as a gallery owner and of my new career choices could move mountains, they sure did in that moment. Perhaps you wrote about your favorite pieces or about the "most cohesive show to date" - all of that made me glow.

For those of you who couldn't make it, I fully understand that in these times we are living in, it isn't always possible due to work schedules, children, aging parents, or illness. Some of you supported me from afar or through sharing my posts or news with others.

With all of that said, I was so pleased when only five pieces from that show remained. As I write this, a month after the show, there are three remaining. The cards all sold; they were replaced with new paintings during the show, and they sold out again. UNBELIEVABLE.

I always start an exhibition fearful that nothing will sell, even though that hasn't happened since my first show in 2002 when I was just starting out as an artist. I have come so far in my artistic career, and I love it when people make my art a part of their homes and a part of their daily lives. I create art for both myself and for others. They are meant to be shared, experienced, and go on to live their very best lives!

The media was incredibly supportive in getting the message out that my gallery was closing; although after 23 years of owning galleries the majority of the people who attended already knew me. I had eight media interviews: CBC Radio, CBC TV, Radio-Canada (French CBC), CTV morning show, Classic 107fm, Winnipeg Free Press, Canstar & Selkirk Record. From that, I had a slight trickle of strangers I had never seen before...the take away continues to be, make all the connections you can on every platform possible, in person, online. Heck tell the people at the gym, the grocery store...

I was hoping for some much-needed rest, and I am taking some time to do that, probably more quiet time than I've ever had in my life; although somehow, I feel just as busy as I did before the gallery closed just 20 days ago.

What have I accomplished or started in the last 3 weeks?

• completed one commission

• completed four pieces - now at @Pulse (also on my website shop here)

• submitted a grant for a community project to work with artists from another organization (so excited for this btw!)

• arranged for online art consulting meetings (one is completed!)

• prepped 20 panels for upcoming exhibitions

• started to set up my studio to be more effective / efficient

• started to set up my office at home

• expanded our garden and started to plant

• reviewed art portfolios as a juror

All of these things are incredibly exciting and energizing! I've been craving change for a long time, and I hope that with enough sales and my life savings, I can keep on this journey as an artist for as long as I can.

I've been thinking about the book that I hope to write starting sometime in 2026. Although I am not ready to physically or mentally write it yet, I know that it's an important part of this journey that not only I am on but also a supportive chapter... err, book for others to read. I don't want to take too long to start, but I do need to move on from some of my feelings first. I'll save that for the book once I am more rested and can see the light a little brighter! Does that make sense?

I'm also thinking a lot about starting up a community website for selling art; however, that is a ways away. I really feel like I need to focus on other aspects of my career that I do enjoy, and I will begin to approach artists when I am ready. If you are an artist interested in this opportunity or any others, be sure to subscribe to my email newsletter on the front page of my website in the bottom left corner here.

All of the pieces I am working on or about to! Freshly mounted yupo paper on panel

With all of that said, if you have a creative project you need help with or a small creative business hurdle, I can likely be an asset through my side gig, my art consulting business. Something as small as packing your art to safely ship or as large as planning out your next exhibition. Perhaps you need to run over your price list with someone to make sure your prices are in line with today's buyer's market? Some refer to me as their mentor, while others refer to me as a career coach. Really, I can help with a lot of aspects of a creative business, including social media, and I hope to get myself more in tune with perhaps creating websites for other artists down the road (but not just yet!). Art consulting and creating new works and having shows are my biggest focus for the time being.

Drop me a line at my email info@jordanlmiller.com at anytime!

If you are new to reading my blog, I hope you will visit my exhibitions in the future. I'm very active on my Instagram @jordanlmillerartist page and will soon be more active on my @millerartconsulting page. The afterglow will keep me going for a little longer, until the next one rolls around. Keep checking back to my exhibition list on my website via the home page menu for updates.

Thanks for reading, please feel free to like, share, and comment below...My next blog will be coming out in August, 2025!