Impetus by AVM Hawkins at Mid Main Gallery 2022.

Impetus 1 + 2 were the featured works embodying the essence of IMPETUS, a solo art exhibition last year. I was pregnant with my now 11 month old son, symbolizing the historical and important nature of this exhibit.

Purpose was the inspiration for the show.

Impetus was a word that resonated with me, embodying the spirit of purpose.

There were many moments in my art journey that served as an impetus to where I am today as an artist. One was been the very bad day I was having during law school, that ended with my first ever art therapy session, becoming the impetus for me creating abstract art.

Another pivotal moment, was when a dear relative passed when I was a practicing attorney, reminding me that the time is now to pursue my love for art, which placed me on the path to start exhibiting my work in Houston.

Then the ultimate impetus for where I am today, was the conversation I had with my husband Mark, to give myself a year, to leave my law practice to pursue becoming a full-time artist.

I definitely will write an in-depth multi-part blog post detailing this subject. I find that this subject may be worthy to unpack. But its always interesting to look back on my journey and see how far I’ve come and how much I’ve grown. Looking back, also helps with motivation to keep pressing forward, even through life changes and life challenges. I’ve come too far and have achieved so much to turn back.

Impetus 1 + 2, are two crazy detailed paintings, made specifically to display in the epic windows at Mid Main Gallery. I was pregnant with my son and was painting these two paintings during my first trimester of pregnancy. Impetus 1 + 2 took me forever to paint, because the painting this detailed design during my first trimester was extremely difficult to maintain concentration.

I told so many breaks, most of them consisting of naps, many times not being able to sit and keep my eyes open to focus after only fifteen minute paint sessions. But I trucked my way through it, knowing that the final outcome would be worth it. I could not be more proud of them.