First Show for the Stunt Artist

Been waiting for this trip since February. 

Art student daughter Zoe heard of campus art shows to be awarded via competitive process. Selectees would have the opportunity to display their work in the art building, similar to the way professional artists have displays in museums and galleries. 

Any guesses as to who was the only freshman in a pool of seniors selected? Any guesses as to who was selected for the first solo showing? 

(If you need help with the above two questions, please see me after class).

She found out the dates, and I booked my flights from Boulder, where I’m on a consulting project. I warned her well in advance: at her show, Dad will NOT be quiet! Unfortunately, my vuvuzuela was confiscated by TSA.

Zoe had planned on coming back to Bend for Spring Break. Yeah, no…..wanting to knock this show out of the park, she stayed at school and worked. And worked. Everyone else gone home to sleep late, drink, goof off, wreak havoc…..my kid spent all week and the bookended weekends alone in the art studio, 8-9 hours a day, reducing this project to rubble. Her biggest piece was a 6’ square canvas. 

The tortured artist at work...

At one point during the break, I noticed in a Face Time call that she looked exhausted. Probably 9pm, she had been working 6-7 long days in a row, and could barely keep her eyes open. When I suggested she knock off and head to the dorm, she hesitated. And I instantly saw why….

Through her exhaustion and fatigue, she kept looking at her canvas…and I could see the gears turning while she contemplated some fine-tuning. 

And I smiled. While this was a voluntary endeavor, she was so laser-focused on her project while working herself into a stupor. This kid is going places. 4 years at her first job, 5 raises, promotions, management responsibilities….she can outwork anyone. And to see that work ethic while doing something she loves? 

I….can’t…..even……

My Uber driver from the airport was hungry, and Medford restaurants close early, but we found one...

My hotel room was super cool and comfy. Mere steps from campus, too. 

Ashland is a pretty town! Southern Oregon, almost to California. And once again, I'm the only idiot in the parking lot at sunrise doing lunges and squats. 

Breakfast at Ruby's: great smoothies and burritos. 

Normal workday, then I mosey over to the art museum before the show starts. The woman at the entrance is an older student, possibly a teaching assistant. She tells me a little about the museum (which I've seen before). Cue dumb Campbell. 

NBC: Any special events this weekend? 

TA: As a matter of fact, we have our first student art show tonite. The school selected a number of young artists to display their work. The kids are all seniors who have been working hard on their projects. Each display will be up for several weeks or so. 

NBC: That's really neat. You said they're all seniors? 

TA: No, wait. The first show tonite is a freshman. She's really talented and expressive in her work. 

NBC: A freshman? Wow, that's awesome.

TA: Yes, all the art department professors are very impressed with her work. Her name is Zoe Campbell. 

NBC: Zoe? What a cool name!

My poker face melts as I show the TA a selfie of me and Spanky. The TA laughs and says I must be very proud of her. 

Lady, you have NO idea!!

The second floor of the Marion Ady Art Building. A few shots from the courtyard. 

My kid FEELS....at age 20, she can already dive deep. 

A friend complimented her purse. I bought it in San Miguel de Allende, and it's made entirely of soda can flip tops!

VIP AMD drove from Bend for the show; she has been one of Zoe's skating coaches for years. Such an amazing mentor at a time when Zoe needed one!

Can you see the skating influence here? 😊

I love the colors she uses. This canvas really added a lot of pop to my own living room, and I generously told Zoe that I will take any other painting off her hands for safe keeping. 

Her dress was $8 from the consignment shop where she worked almost 4 years. Kid has some taste. 

Kyle is Zoe's painting professor. He has been extremely supportive and helpful in Zoe's development. Check out his CV; the man has some SERIOUS game! 

Of course, dinner had to include shrimp and grits. Interestingly, no cheese!

The next morning, I'm doing planks, crunches, and running the bleachers on the SOU track. And once again, no one else seemed to get the memo. 

Parents have years of experience and wisdom. It’s a really good day when your kid starts listening to you. 

You know what’s a better day? When you start listening to your kid. 

Mine is starting to roar. Her voice carries.

Well done, Zoe Paige.

Zoë’s Launch

Been waiting for this moment since high school began. 

Zoë asked me to drive her to college at Southern Oregon University in Ashland. You should have seen the grin on my face. 

My car is fairly small, and she said we’d be able to fit everything inside. I pulled my ‘Father Knows Best’ card and borrowed a Yakima Skybox from buddy Dave. 

Before…

After…

Sometimes it just takes an engineer…

Goodbye 97703, hello 97520. 

180 miles gone in a flash, we talked the whole time. Then it’s arrival, Shasta Hall.

4 quick trips, and the car is empty. Now it’s time to unpack. 

That canvas above the pillow? Her own creation. Later, I see the artwork below in the student center, and I wonder if someone is already pirating her stuff. 

Some kids didn’t get the ‘no maid service’ memo. 

After a parent meet and greet with the dean, Spanky and I do a bookstore tour. I figure she’s ready to head off on her own, but she stuns me by asking if I’ll go to lunch with her in the dining hall. 

Yes, please. 

And the food is amazing!

Year-round ice rink up the road in Medford. I’m sure she’ll be there often. 

Nom nom nom…

Her mailbox in the middle. I imagine she will accept baked goods. 

Already looks like she owns the place!

Doing what I do best. 

She has a way with words. 

The students waiting for the convocation, my kid shuckin’ and jivin’ with the best of them. 

I’m up in the bleachers waiting for the ceremony to begin, and she sends me this. 

My kid knows what’s important. 

Putting backs on each seats means these folks pay attention to detail….I think Hayward Field copied them. 

You can’t tell, but they are spelling out ‘SOU’ for the school’s 150th anniversary. 

As I’m driving away with a lump in my throat the size of Texas, I realize I forgot to get that final picture with her. For a moment, I continue outbound. Then I realize this is one of those moments you never get back….so, tires squealing and an unauthorized U-Turn later, there’s this…

From here…

To here….19 July 2012 and 19 Sept 2022. 

The aforementioned lump in my throat is composed of 0% sadness and 100% elation. I had been thinking about this day for years; the day my daughter heads out of town and starts living almost entirely on her own terms. The day that I have a big, BIG drink and toast my daughter’s future, as unlimited as the universe. That day was 19 September 2022. 

Can’t wait to see what Zoë does from here on out. Future Vogue editor…..Art Teacher……Fashion Editor…..it all spells ‘Badass Creator of Cool Stuff.’

You go, girl. 

(Oh, there’s this….after her first art class, she calls to tell me that no one else in the class has sold a painting. She sold three after her first art show a year ago for around $800). 

STFB. 

(Stand By). 

Post-script…and I can’t believe I forgot this…..a week before heading down, I mailed a short note to Zoe’s mailbox. I planned on leaving a second note as I departed campus…I wrote that note in my AirBnb room….after the convocation, I looked for the note and could not find it anywhere in my car or luggage. So I wrote a third note, then talked my way into the campus post office to deliver it. Later, I texted my berthing host and asked them to look around the apartment. He found it…..in the driveway with a tire print! He asked if I wanted him to change envelopes before sending it, and of course I said no way!!!

How fitting. 

🤣