My First 4 week solo With Art Images gallery - Adelaide

Trusting the Art of Magic — and Saying Yes

My first-ever four-week solo exhibition in Adelaide — what an honour!

Usually, I reach out to curators and galleries, but this time it was different, Art Images Gallery invited me. A full solo show, in a state where no one knows my name... so of course I said yes.

Originally, I was meant to travel with my husband, but a last-minute job came up. Friends offered to fly over with me, but something inside said, No — do this on your own.

To be honest, flying isn’t my thing. It feels unnatural to me. But I did it and somehow felt held by something greater.

My knee has been playing up (thank you, arthritis), but I pushed through — hobbling through the stunning streets of Adelaide, which I quickly fell madly in love with.

Now I need to explain and I’m going to track back a few weeks, I went to see Gabby Bernstein in Sydney with my friend Mel. She spoke about trusting in signs and that the universe shows us the way, if we’re open to it. She stirred the clarity in me and I began to really open up.To listen. To trust. Bloody hell I could write a book!

Let the magic began.

I notice music — always have. So when I arrived in Adelaide, jumped into a taxi, and the song Pink Pony Club came on — the exact song Gabby danced to at the end of her show — I smiled. Coincidence? Maybe. But it made me feel connected. It was a sign.

I got to my hotel, which was beautiful — and had a king-size bed all to myself. How bloody fabulous is that!

 I visited the Art Gallery of South Australia and spent three quiet hours there, completely immersed. I mean I was heartbroken and happy all at once. Overwhelmed with the incredible art.  I sat outside in the sun, ordered banana bread and a chai latte. The barista had made a leaf in the froth — you know those coffee art shapes — so I silently asked the universe, What does this mean?

I stirred the foam and a butterfly shape appeared. “Cool,” I thought. Ten seconds later, a swirl of wind blew and a bunch of leaves blew towards my feet and  over my shoes — and then, right on cue, a random butterfly cruised past me.

My stomach dropped. “No f*cking way,” I whispered. Then I remembered the Magic.

I arrived at the gallery — and there it was: I was part of a humongous billboard with my name and artwork stretched across the front of the building. It was really cool.

There were two other artists exhibiting alongside me: Amanda Dziedzic, a beautiful glass artist from Melbourne and Alison Mitchell, a well-known local painter whose works go for around $7K. Her space was packed. I could barely move.

In contrast, my space was quiet — people wandered in slowly. But I stood tall and spoke about my work with integrity and passion.I was feeling good for some reason and then a  thought came regarding Alison’s room, this could be my future being shown to me?

Gabby talks about this — how the universe gives you glimpses of what’s possible. It wasn’t humiliation— it was clarity. A quiet knowing that this too is part of my path. That it’s coming and I was feeling it on every level.

Alison came up to me and said, “Holly, I love your art. Your work is beautiful; you should be proud.” And I was. Firstly, very proud to exhibit beside an excellent, humble painter whose work is next level and her husband, who’s been in the Archibald, shared some beautiful words with me that night that broke my heart in a good way.

The universe was speaking. And I was finally listening.

Yes, I only sold one painting on opening night — but I know more will follow.

Before leaving I wandered into the gallery shop. I wanted to gift myself something small — I fell in love with two hand-blown glass hearts, one yellow, one purple. They were $88. I decided to sleep on it but I was feeling I would purchase the yellow one the next day as its joyful.

And then... the real magic.

After my artist talk, as I was getting ready to leave, a buyer came into the gallery. She felt deeply connected to my work and said, “You are so joyful.”
Can you imagine that? Being called the joy.

She handed me a small box. I opened it. Inside was the yellow glass heart.

The tears came, of course and I just felt so connected and money cannot buy these moments. 

I might have only sold one painting that night, but I received so much more — signs, connection, affirmation, love and magic.

I'm floating on a big, happy cloud of gratitude. Thank you to Suzie, Sarah, and Olivia from Art Images Gallery for making it all possible. No regrets. Just deep joy, big lessons, and a full heart.

My show runs til the end of June.

xo

PS if you would like to view my exhibition cut and paste this link -

 https://artimagesgallery.com.au/search?q=holly+eva