Friday’s art show was an amazing success. Located right in the heart of the Crossroads First Friday Art Walk, I had an estimated 1000 guests throughout the night. This exhibit was showing my textured paintings.
I started doing my textured pieces when I was doing an art therapy project with a blind girl. At the showing of her finished piece, we asked people to touch the painting so they could see the world the way she sees it. For me, it was an amazing experience to suddenly watch fear of art fall away from people when they were allowed to touch the painting. You could literally see something transform. As they touched the piece smiles spread across their faces and the fear and formality of it fell away. I liked watching the attendees have both a visual and tactile experience.
I began working with textures in my work. At my show on Friday, I asked people to touch the paintings. I was often approached with disbelief. After reassuring them that they could indeed touch the paintings, people lit up. Smiles spread across their faces, and repeatedly strangers hugged me throughout the night, thanking me for the experience. I believe in making art accessible. My show on Friday created a discussion among people who are generally intimidated by art. Inner children were allowed to come out and play. The result were smiles, laughter, and hugs from strangers. I would call that a successful show. 
Stroke of Red Studio 