Planning My Next Art Exhibition: Featuring The Octopus and The Slug (One Painting, Double the Personality)

September is nearly here, and I’m knee-deep in what I like to call The Great Painting Debate (aka planning my next art exhibition).

Do I go with a sleek theme? Showcase the freshest canvases hot off the easel? Or take the truly artistic approach and draw titles from a bowl like an avant-garde lottery?

Matt — my long-suffering, ever-practical husband — isn’t concerned with the how. He just wants me to decide, preferably before the coffee goes cold and my graph paper sketches take over the kitchen table.

And yes, we actually have graph paper. Yes, I measure each painting to make sure the spacing is perfect. I like to think of it as equal parts artistic vision and gallery logistics… though it probably just looks like I’m playing art-show Tetris with a ruler in hand.

One certainty? The Octopus and The Slug is in.

Absolutely, no-question, not-up-for-discussion in. This one painting brings two personalities to the party — quirky, charming, and just the right amount of peculiar to reel people in.

The rest of the collection? Still a work in progress. The puzzle is finding pieces that harmonize with my dynamic duo without stealing their spotlight.

I’ll be debuting the final lineup at the Midwest City Library soon, and I’d love your input.

A detailed hand-drawn layout of the Midwest City Library on graph paper. A work in progress.

Got a favorite painting you think belongs next to The Octopus and The Slug? Drop it in the comments. Your pick could be the tie-breaker — and Matt will owe you a thank-you.

Stay tuned for the reveal. Whether it’s magic, mischief, or a happy accident, there’s an art show on the horizon.

Thanks for reading The 3rd Flamingo A blog for art lovers, creative wanderers, and anyone who’s ever made a beautiful mess.

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