Well, not much is getting done today after the opening last night! I’m pretty tired and so much to process from that last few days.

After getting home from the reception last night, there was a nice buzz going on in my Facebook page. My son and I also had a nice chat remembering our conversations when this series began, and the success of the evening.

It was so nice to have many old familiar faces show up to the receptions.

It was great to have the support of the West Vancouver Community Arts Council and to see their excitement about the show. The North Shore News was also there to take pictures for its ‘Events’ page in the next few weeks. It does half pages of pictures of people attending an ‘event’ such as galas, fundraisers etc. So I was thrilled that my opening became an ‘event’.  It is expected to be in print in the next few week.

I am considering doing some painting in the space during the show hours starting next week, as the gallery has an easel that I could use. I'm just waiting for confirmation. It would add another level to the exhibition, and it gives me a comfortable way of being there and not make people uncomfortable. And conversations are so important.

Some of the comments from the opening;

“I just want to touch the wood.”
“You can also smell the cedar”
“Amazing”
“They are so real”
“I just had to get close to see all the layers and detail”
“Is that a photograph?”
“Those are painted on canvas, right?”
“I love how the totems are so accessible, so close up”
“How to you do that!”
And then an assortment of explanations about the totems.
A number of people completely understood my fit (and approach) with the totems as a non-Aboriginal.

My hope is that some of my Métis and Aboriginal contacts will have a chance to see my work and share their thoughts and experience.

The one regret about last night was not having a photographer. My son had planned to take shots through the night but he too was caught up in the wonderful conversations through the evening.

Well, that is as far as I can sort through everything buzzing through my head at the moment, affirmed that I had made the right choice, and that the totems  and I were home. Now to keep the momentum going!