"After the Storms" 8" x 16" oil/canvas
Without question the most pleasant surprise this
past year has been the developing relationship between
me, my art and the collectors that purchase my paintings.
Today's post is a perfect example. I could have just as
easily titled this painting "A Day with a Collector". I sold
a painting in April to a first time buyer of my art and
at the opening I had the opportunity to have an extended
conversation with them. I cherish these opportunities
to be able to ask buyers what drew them to the painting
and what was it that excited them enough to make the
purchase. And the buyer had the opportunity to learn things about me, my family, the galleries I'm in and the things I like to paint. Usually they want to know where the scene is and what motivated me to paint it.
A couple of weeks later this same buyer calls me to let me
know the farmer that owns the property behind him had
just baled his field and invited me to his home to see this
field. He had remembered from our conversation that
hay bales is a subject matter I'm drawn to and he was
thoughtful enough to call me. So I packed up my gear
and out to this field I went and sure enough, it was a
great scene. The collector watched as I set up my gear
and began painting the scene when he admitted he has
always been interested in how plein air painters do their
thing. For the next hour and half I painted and
we talked...one on one. It was an absolute rush! And I
got a nice painting and a new friend it the process.
Having collectors is a new deal to me, but the common
thread I have found so far is the collectors are interested
in more than just the art. They want to know you, the artist, as well. They feel vested in you, your art and your career. They want to know the person behind the brush and I find this kind of interaction to be motivational. I find that it is pushing me to create better art, to create more paintings and the do the best I can.
2 comments:
It is indeed a treat to meet collectors. It is such a great feeling knowing that someone is willing to spend their hard earned money on your art. It is also interesting to find out where your art is going to be housed, across the country or world. I just sold a sculpture to some folks in Scotland and that was such a thrill for me.
Cool scene and story. How far did you have to drive to find that view?
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