Putting It Out There: Being Seen

Mood: Slightly Exposed | Post Type: Work Spotlight | Weeks Until Show: 13

Looking Outward

Only 13 weeks out from my solo show, I’ve started to shift gears slightly. Up until now, most of my focus has been on the work itself—making, refining, learning. But now it feels like I need to start looking outward. Letting people know it’s happening. Putting it into the world beyond my studio.

Which, it turns out, brings with it a whole new set of thoughts…

Reaching Out (and Learning As I Go)

I’ve started reaching out to different magazines—originally just aiming to get into the small “What’s On” listings. But both have come back saying they have more room. Which is great… but also slightly daunting. So now I’m learning how to write a press release—of course with the help of Chatty G (ChatGPT).

I’m also starting to get more clued up on deadlines for submitting details of my show for memberships to include in their online noticeboards and monthly emails. On my list so far are Devon Artist Network and the Contemporary Glass Society, and I need to explore if there are any other avenues.

Beyond the Studio

Even when I’ve been in shops locally, I’ve found myself asking if they’d be willing to have my postcards on their counters—especially when I’ve seen other flyers visible to take. I’ve also started looking at local hotels and B&Bs I could drop things off to, although shops, accommodation and eateries will be more of a focus in the week running up to the show, as we’re in a tourist destination and people are only here for short bursts.

Then there are the local noticeboards for A5 posters. I may have to rope in some help for that. When I was putting up flyers for Contemporary Wonderworks, it took ages—driving between villages, mostly on single-track roads, and in the height of summer it feels like you spend more time in reverse. Then there’s the reshuffling of existing notices so you don’t obscure anyone else’s advert (which isn’t exactly going to entice people to yours), and of course the ones that are padlocked… with a gatekeeper.

Not Just Social Media

This may seem over the top, and of course I will be leveraging social media, including local Facebook community hubs. But one of the first podcasts I listened to about organising a solo show said: do not rely solely on social media—and that’s really stuck with me.

I made a mental note at the time to explore other avenues, especially as, in the grand scheme of things, I still have relatively low Instagram followers—not for want of trying. The platform feels very different from what it once was. From what I hear from artists who’ve been around longer, the change is noticeable. It’s harder to grow followers, even when you’re putting out relevant content.

My reels typically get between 200 to 300 views, often from non-followers. Then I had one that reached nearly 12k… and I have no idea why. I tried to repeat it, and yes—it fell flat.

Opportunities… and Hesitation

Then there’s a creative friend of mine who was interviewed on BBC Radio Devon about her work. I could ask her how that came about. But then that voice in my head appears… do I really need that pressure? Especially with a neurodivergent, menopausal brain (still not entirely impressed about being thrown into the latter).

I also still need to speak to Dartmoor Search and Rescue (Ashburton), as 10% of sales will be going there. That’s definitely on the to-do list.

The Bigger Picture

And then there are the other thoughts that keep circling.

Firstly—and you’re probably bored of me saying this—this isn’t my full-time role. I have another intense professional job. But I am trying to make this a thing… maybe something that could one day be full time. A long way off, but we all need dreams.

When It Starts to Feel Real

Then there’s the feeling that by putting this out publicly, it feels a bit like getting married again. That sense of building towards something, but also being slightly petrified that something will go catastrophically wrong (I won’t even share the more ridiculous scenarios my brain comes up with), but essentially that it will all go a bit Pete Tong (showing my age there…).

The Mind at Work

I can see what’s happening though—I’m catastrophising. It’s called being human. I know this, because it’s what I teach others. It’s what our brains do. They’re designed to keep us safe—from harm, famine, predators. But in today’s world, that same negativity bias is still there, seeing most things as a threat.

So my amygdala is on constant alert, releasing adrenaline…and I’m still 13 weeks out.

Holding It All Together

And I can feel the stress building already—while I’m currently on two weeks’ leave. Which does make me wonder… what’s going to happen when I go back to work and that pressure ramps up again?

I know I need to get this into perspective. But if you’ve read a few of my blogs, you’ll know that writing things down like this is part of how I process it all. A bit of therapy, in my own way. So I apologise—you’ve just had full access to my inner monologue.

But if you’ve made it this far… thank you. I really do appreciate it.

This is Episode 23 in my ‘Solo Show Diary’ series — a behind-the-scenes look at how my work develops. You can find my earlier posts here.