“Wave”

When I started painting, I started painting for myself. You can read that story in my previous post “And that my friends…” I didn’t realize how much of a bond I would have with my paintings when they were done. “I made this!” is one of the thoughts that run through my head. Glancing at them when I walk by with proud eyes, remembering the moments of inspiration behind them, the sometimes struggles and most-times triumphs along the way. Until finally they are done. I don’t want to sound weird, but it’s kinda like the same bond as having a baby, minus the raising and expense for the next 18+ years part. At least, I thought that was the most fulfilling part of painting.

As I started my artist journey in terms of exhibiting and selling, I wasn’t quite prepared for what one of my fellow artist friends once described as “witnessing the connection” of a buyer of original art. And it happened just as she described it. It showed itself well in advance of the actual transaction.

This painting is one of my favorite paintings I have ever done. It was one of my earlier ones, and one that I tried a more photo-realism approach to, versus the more abstract first couple paintings. It was a learn as I go painting, referencing a photo I had taken from one of our trips to Door County. I spent a LOT of time on this one, with many stand back and take it in self-critiques. It hung on my wall in my home for many months before one day I decided to take it with me to display at the Townline Art Fair.

Art Fairs are kind of interesting in terms of how people react to your art. Some walk right by with barely a glance. Some actually make it in to the tent, eye-scan them all and leave with a compliment of my work. With many, we have good conversations and I feel better for knowing them. And then…it happens.

In walks a person who goes right to what their eyes are on, almost ignoring every painting that surrounds theirs. They silently stand in front of it for a long while. My instinct is to strike up a conversation with someone who has been in my tent for a bit, but sometimes I can read the room…so I refrain a bit longer. I finally approached her and told her a little about the subject of “Wave”. Where I took the photo, how much I myself liked it, etc. While she was engaging with me and quite a very nice person, her gaze stayed on the painting as she talked. After we talked for a while she left to go take in the rest of the Art Fair, giving a last glance at the painting as she exited.

Fast-forward an hour or two. In a little lull in my tent I stood out front and people watched for bit and talked with other exhibiting artist near me that was in the same lull. Across the way and a few tents down, I saw my “Wave” admirer from earlier. Although she was in another tent, I saw she was looking in to mine. As she left that tent, her and a friend who were in conversation slowly walked back to mine. I greeted her and we walked right back to where I felt our continued conversation had to be.

She began to tell me how my painting made such a connection with her. The flood of memories she felt of her childhood time of summers on the lake, and how it reminded her of playing along the shore with her late father. As I stated earlier, I wasn’t quite prepared for how emotional and humbling it would be to witness that connection, that bond. As she talked, she got emotional. As she talked…I got emotional. It was at that moment I knew this wasn’t my painting anymore. I believe she said something like “my husband won’t like it too much me coming home with an original painting and spending that much” Without hesitation I asked her what she would be willing to pay for it. Not so much to close a sale, but more for knowing this painting was hers already in her heart, how can I help make that happen. She gave me a number, which was fair, and just like that…my “baby” found it’s forever home.

As she walked away with her painting, a new emotion hit me. While I was happy she was happy, the realization that my favorite painting is now no longer mine…I felt a loss. I was told to expect that too by my artist friend. And again, she was right. What else she was right about though, is how in time, the memory of that moment will soon turn in to happiness in the thought of knowing that everyday that person will be glancing at it when they walk by…with proud eyes, remembering the moment they connected, and the emotions and feeling behind that connection.

I hope that the buyer of “Wave” someday reads this. I want to say thank you. I hope you have continued joy with it . And…tell it Jen says hi :)