06/11: Awesome Artist, Awesome Wife

It’s not often that I go completely off topic here at the Cayman Host Blog, but this can’t go by without a mention.

As some readers will know, my wife, Nickola McCoy, is an artist and, I’m pleased to say, a successful one, but despite this, she has never put on a solo show here in her homeland on Grand Cayman. Whilst she is represented by a commercial gallery here and has exhibited in countless shows in Cayman and elsewhere around the world, this was something she was keen to rectify. When we returned to the island at the start of this year, we had talked at length about putting together a show and I am pleased to say that we are almost at the point of realizing that dream.

I’m pleased to offer an early glimpse of some of the paintings that will be on view when "See Me Ya - A Solo Art Show by Nickola McCoy opens later this month.

We decided that we would try to ensure that the show would benefit a good cause and chose the Cayman Islands Cancer Society as a primary charity. We have both lost people to the disease, people who were very young, too young to be taken from life and it was this that made our choice a logical and worthy one.

When we started putting together our plans, we had no idea just how much it would take over our lives for the past year. Nikki has worked tirelessly every day to make her dream a reality, and nobody could be more proud than me. Watching someone you love, overcoming obstacle after obstacle, comforting them through tears of frustration, bouts of self doubt and times of triumph is an amazing experience and binds you even closer. There are times we have fought over this show and times that we have prayed for it to come to fruition. Against all odds, we are now travelling the final few miles of an amazing journey.

At the outset, we sought sponsors for the event, and Nikki put together a superb portfolio which was mailed out to a large number of potential companies and individuals. Despite the work and money she put into the quest, the response was hugely disappointing, and there were moments when she just wanted to give up. We absorbed the costs ourselves and continued to do so month after month.

From a long list of sponsors, only two stepped up to the plate for her. Firstly, Mr Andreas Ugland, of Queensgate Bank and Trust who has been a loyal and generous sponsor and collector of Nikki’s work. His contribution was a huge factor in keeping the dream a realistic possibility. Secondly, Bodden Beverages also came through for her with the supply of drinks and water for the opening night and the "Meet The Artist" event, and again, we are extremely grateful for their participation. Everybody else declined her request, at least those who bothered to respond at all. This was despite the TV, radio, magazine and press exposure Nikki had worked tirelessly to secure. It was heartbreaking at times to see my wife despondent and low, but she is a fighter, passionate about art and even more passionate about the cause she wanted to contribute something to - in memory and celebration of her brother’s life that was cut short by stomach cancer.

Putting together this show has been hard on us both, it has been a financial burden we were ill equipped for, but it has been a hugely educational and motivational experience. For the uninitiated, producing original paintings is not cheap - the cost of materials is quite staggering by itself. Paint, canvas, sealants, wood for frames, labor costs for building those frames.....it’s a long list.

To fill an entire gallery with original artwork takes countless hours of painting, even if you can come up with original subject matter under such stressful deadlines. Artists suffer blocks just as we do as bloggers! Then you have all the ancillary expenses of printing invitations, a catalog, and mailing them all to invited guests and collectors. This sounds like a moan, but it really isn’t - I’m just pointing out all the things that viewers of art often fail to appreciate as they stand sipping a glass of wine and munching on a canape.

A lot of work is involved in bringing just one original painting before the eyes of the general public. Original art is often expensive and that can bring with it a lot of negative criticism. If you’ve never seen a person cry after a harsh review of something they are passionate about, something into which they plough their heart and soul, all I can say is that you are fortunate. However people choose to break the hearts of others, it’s never pretty.

I’ve never been prouder of my wonderful wife than I am at this moment and I’ll be even prouder come opening night when I have the privilege of standing alongside her and seeing her shine - it’s her moment, a culmination of more than a year’s hard work, amazing creativity, and courage in the face of adversity and nobody deserves to bask in that glow of glory more than she does. She has produced paintings in a wide variety of styles and content even though she is primarily known for her abstract work, she is amazingly diverse in her painting.

I could not finish this piece without mentioning Geraldine Morgan and Steve Byars, the owners of the Morgan Gallery. I cannot thank them enough for demonstrating such faith in my wife’s talent and for showing us both such unyielding friendship and support. This solo show represents a great deal of belief in my wife’s work and they have worked tirelessly alongside her throughout.

So, on the 21st of this month the show, "See Me Ya" opens with a private viewing for Mr Ugland and his guests. I hope that readers around the world will look at this online preview and feel moved by art of Cayman Islands artist Nickola McCoy, my dearest friend and partner in the biggest journey of all.

Anyone interested in my wife's work can obtain full details from the Morgan Gallery. High quality Giclee prints of many paintings are available on paper and canvas and in varying sizes. Email to discuss your requirements - themorgangallery[at]candw[dot]ky The gallery ships artwork worldwide.  

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