Just Do It

Looks like the UT Vols are selling off all their Nike merch because Addidas has taken over. I just heard that on the radio. (This is all the sports talk you will see on this site.)

I was thinking of this iconic tagline lately because it really is THAT good. I think of it often because things can come about, and as an over-thinker by default, this phrase comes in handy. The radio mentioning this corporate sponsor change sealed the deal for today's blog topic.

That's when the opportunity of being in the Southern Market came about last month. There was apprehension about going through the application process.

What if I don't get in?

What if they laugh at my stuff?

What if...

What if...

And well, just doing it came to mind. And I'm glad I did do it. Because now I'm in it.

Welcome to the new booth (wall space) for Art by Deanne Topping.

It's not completely finished but this is its current state. Now, if someone comes and buys something, then well, it will look different from this! And I do need to add more retail.

I am excited to be part of the Southern Market! This has been a favorite of mine for gift giving. What's extra funny to me, though, is that I am not so sure I would have applied to this if it hadn't been for getting rejected.

Yes.

Rejected.

Rejection.

I had applied to the limited spaces at Knoxville's Emporium off of Gay Street. Downtown Knoxville's growing and bustling main street. It would have been a space where I could work on my art in public. I was so excited to take the chance of getting myself out there.

To just - DO IT. I've been working quietly in my home office that it was about time.

You guys. I bawled when I got the news.

That's not like me. It hit me hard. Seriously. The rejection part is part of the art territory. It's expected here and there. It's ok. Art is subjective, blah blah blah. I'm old enough - and pretty chill - that I know not to take it personally.

But somehow, not getting into the studio space hit me. I was looking forward to challenging myself to create in public and really push my practice. If you know how long and hard I have been at this, well, this for some reason challenged my internal art purpose.

As for anything though, if it hadn't been for the application, the studying, the planning, for this studio space, I am not sure I would have had the extra push for the Southern Market. Things really do turn around. So here it is!

As far as the display setup, I really need to have a separate post. I am such a fiend about display design that I was in my element measuring, prototyping, and planning how to create this custom display.

Shoot. I might need 5 more blogs to go over my excitement on product and display design.

If it comes to doing something that you love to do, and there is hesitation, the answer is always: Just do it.

Worry about the outcome later.

Reminder that all my writing and visuals are 100% my human made self. Errors, poor grammar, whathave you – unless otherwise stated. I am not afraid to use AI, but I'd rather you learn who I am through my realness that a version of textbook sounding AI slop.

PS: I have a SKOOL page called Growing Artists. It's basically all about the things I am learning while trying to be an artist. The ups, documenting, downs, and important spreadsheets.