AVM Hawkins at Bohemeo’s in Houston, Texas. Photograph by Mark Anthony Hawkins.

My first art show, ever.

This is a photo that was taken by my good friend at the time, now my husband, Mark.

I was beaming with joy and pride in this photo.

I’ve come a long way. And somehow could not see what I now see right before my eyes in this photograph: An Artist. A beautiful woman, inside and out, who was in her element, and had the potential to be so much more than what she initially thought was possible.

I was attending underground at the University of Houston. I worked at the Recreation Center on campus. A co-worker curated the exhibition and encouraged me to submit art for the show. I had three works featured in an International Women’s Day Art Exhibition at Bohemeo’s Cafe, located in southeast Houston. Bohemeo’s is still one of my favorite places in Houston that carry so much energy and inspiration.

Below are some of favorite photos taken from Bohemeo’s.

Art was a hobby then, that I wished was so much more.

I was reaching the end of my time as an undergraduate. And I wanted to be an artist. I regretted that I did not know this before. I regretted that I did not studied art. And I felt very lost. Being an artist never felt like an option, nor a viable possibility.

Looking back, I know my path was exactly what I personally needed to experience to be where I am now. My decisions in hindsight was perfect—perfect of me. And as cliché as it sounds, I would not change anything about my journey.

But if I could go back and tell my former self anything, I would tell her, to stop overthinking. Be present. Pay attention. Spend time with yourself in silence, and be with your Self. Trust yourself. Your dreams are real and are very possible. Just move in the direction of your dreams / goals.

I never needed to know the path to success. I never needed to know all the steps of the journey. I just needed to know where I wanted to go, where I want to be in the future, and decide that I was going there.

I just needed to accept myself and be willing to be who I always knew I was deep inside.

She was always there.

She had everything she needed, then.

I just needed to love her and accept her. And allow her to be great.

This is a picture of me standing next to my two works of art, while wearing an original hand-painted v-neck t-shirt.

The two paintings consist of obvious Nola influences. They were works created after arriving to Houston after Hurricane Katrina.

They were the beginning. They were baby steps, although may not have seemed like a big deal at the time, just a small local art show at a local coffee shop.

But it was my beginning.

Time flies.

Reflection: My First Art Show