When I arrived at the Turtle Creek Art Festival, there was an artist set up with his booth near the registration area. His tent didn't have a canopy and he had all his paintings lined up along the ground & on a bar inside. It was pretty basic; more basic than even my tent. I asked him what he was going to do if it rained and he just shrugged it off. Didn't seem to bother him. I immediately loved his work. It was abstract people painted on masonite type reclaimed board; bright colors. He had some "people" type sculptures that were made from pieces of rough wood layered with bright paint.
At the end of the festival I walked over to his booth again. I asked him how he had done at the show and he said, "Well enough" or something vague. I asked him how his little sculptured people had done. Had people liked his art? I told him I had made $65. He and his female partner were sitting across from his booth a bit of a distance away. He said, "Go pick something out!" I said I couldn't do that. So he reached his hand out to me and says, "Help me up!". He's a young tall healthy man. He doesn't need help. He just held my hand & lead me to the back of his booth, picked up one of his paintings, signed it, said, "I love you!" and gave me a fist bump. What a marvelous way to connect with me. So gracious. I am thrilled to have his painting and I don't even know his name.
At the end of the festival I walked over to his booth again. I asked him how he had done at the show and he said, "Well enough" or something vague. I asked him how his little sculptured people had done. Had people liked his art? I told him I had made $65. He and his female partner were sitting across from his booth a bit of a distance away. He said, "Go pick something out!" I said I couldn't do that. So he reached his hand out to me and says, "Help me up!". He's a young tall healthy man. He doesn't need help. He just held my hand & lead me to the back of his booth, picked up one of his paintings, signed it, said, "I love you!" and gave me a fist bump. What a marvelous way to connect with me. So gracious. I am thrilled to have his painting and I don't even know his name.
oh my gosh, that's beautiful Debra. He probably really appreciated your interest and kindness.
ReplyDeleteI'm really sorry this show was such a disappointment. I saw on FB that everyone was saying that there's always another show, but I know you had high hopes for this one. I admire the way you keep plugging along, developing new ideas and taking things in stride, but it's bound to get to you when a show doesn't go well. I wish you could have a solo show in a gallery where you would be in the spotlight. It will come, but meanwhile, please know that you are much admired by me and many others.
Sending hugs.
I hope in ten years, it's worth a lot of money. And you can say you had one early. =) Sounds like it was a good experience, if not lucrative.
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