The absolute highlight of 2023 for me was winning the "People's Choice" award from the Sooke Fine Art Show.

This juried show attracts around 9,000 visitors and is the premier Art Event on Vancouver Island. To be selected to exhibit is an honour and I was delighted to have two pieces accepted. 

I feel like I'm supposed to play it 'cool' but honestly, it was a huge thrill to be there on VIP night. The show had been open less than an hour when one of the volunteers put a precious red 'sold' dot next the painting. 

Thanks to a series of serendipitous events I was fortunate enough to meet the person who bought Divine Duality after the show and see the painting installed in his home. 

It was only several weeks later that I found out that "Divine Duality" had received the most votes from visitors as their favorite piece. I was standing outside the supermarket when I got the call to tell me. "I think I'm going to cry," was my response to the news. "I hope that's a good thing," said the woman at the other end of the line.  

To everyone who voted for me: Thank you. To receive this award was  a jolt of recognition and joy that went straight to my heart. 

Visit https://sookefinearts.com to see Divine Duality and the other award winners.