Yesterday I visited the gallery space for Sentience: Presence as a Way of Seeing, Being & Creating to film some promotional material for the opening reception, Thursday October 1st, 6pm - 10pm.

The space looks amazing, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to show my work.

The works in this show were created over the span of the last two years.

I’ve taken my time, sitting with these works, allowing them to breathe, to grow and to inform me of who they were destined to become.

Sentience is how I would describe my creative process.

I’m extremely present in the studio.

I am open, without a predetermined plan.

I am aware of my thoughts, my emotions—paying attention to what enters my mind.

I then respond, with an inspired action or reaction.

I may grab a certain work in progress. I may grab the paint of a certain color. Grab a brush, or pallet knife. And follow what moves me.

I receive a thought, in the form of an external instruction, informing me of what to do next.

Each step, unfolds. And then the process repeats.

Repeats until I grow tired, or until another matter requests my attention.

My time is so valuable; or at least I now have a greater understanding of how valuable it is.

I deplore rushing now. Moving fast. Feeling adrenaline in my body. Anxiousness.

I love moving slower and feeling calmer.

I chalk it up to living with a four year boy.

Life is loud, always—full of stimulation.

I deeply appreciate silence now, and the ability to take my time with my craft.

Motherhood has deepened my love for creating—bringing me back to how much I love the feeling of being—just being with art, and following where my senses take me.

I realize more and more, being an artist, is about being a human being.

Being open to the world around me, and being ready and willing to take it in…

Being aware of what thoughts, ideas, memories, images and emotions that arise within my body and psyche, and then, act on that feeling—through (ideally) an inspired, creative, or loving action—one that could be shared.

I hope to share, Sentience: Presence as a Way of Seeing, Being, Creating with you Thursday October 1st.

Sentience: A Way of Seeing, Being & Creating

AVM Hawkins

Opening Reception

Thursday October 1st, 2026

Mid Main Lofts

3550 Main St. Houston, TX 77002

6pm - 10pm

All Ready