06/01/2026
When I was invited to this one-day mural festival, my first thought was honestly that I probably shouldn’t do it. I’m one of the slowest painters I know, and I told my partner I was afraid I would blow it. He just said, “So what if you do? You should still try.”
So, I said yes and started designing "It’s Okay to Blow It" — a twist on the subject matter, but also a reminder to myself.
When the full lineup was announced, I almost backed out again. I saw artists with more experience, speed, and skill than me — including a friend I have always looked up to. When I told him I was nervous about this, he said: “Nah, it's an evolution. Take the next step. You got it.”
So I went.
And honestly, I did blow it in a few ways. I didn’t finish on time, and was still painting (in the dark) while others were wrapped up. It was far from my finest or neatest piece. But every co-artist, every Dogwood Arts staff and volunteer was so supportive and kind.
And somehow, by the end of the weekend, I was one of the two artists with who were chosen by the public vote.
There’s really no reason I should have been. Every artist there created an amazing piece deserving of the win, and I learned something from each and every one of them.
But the real lesson I learned is that sometimes the thing you’re afraid of doing is exactly the thing you need to try.
So thank you to everyone who stopped by, talked, voted, or supported the festival and the art and music scene in Knoxville. And to the other artists who made it what it was — Bryan, Curtis, Gared, Ivann, Joseph, Megan, Paris, Robert, and Whitney — It was an honor to paint with you! As far as I am concerned, working with you guys and now calling you friends was the real prize.
Thank you for the amazing weekend and all your amazing volunteers!
And also all that sponsored the festival, fed us, housed us (), and gave us amazing swag bags of love (). Thank you!
📸: and Emily Curran
