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Lake Michigan Magic

Whodda Thunk It?

I opened my Studio & Gallery this morning feeling somewhat resigned. Yesterday the Brexit vote sent the world markets into a tumble – the Dow had its worst day in 10 months, reports said. I’ve been a professional painter long enough to know what that means. Once, in Vieques, a solo show of mine opened the day after a major Wall Street bust and no one, not even the wealthiest among an affluent crowd, was willing to open their wallet. So it goes, I consoled myself; the market falls down, the market will come back up. In any case, it's all beyond my control ....

Knowing there was little chance anyone would buy a painting today was actually quite relaxing. I found myself willing to linger at the beach on my morning walk, taking my time with coffee on our front porch, enjoying the breeze as I watered the flowers and picked strawberries. It felt like summer, unhurried, the way it used to be before seasonal sales ops added a measure of pressure to the season.

So when around lunchtime one of my favorite collectors called ahead, I was in a good mood, happy to see her, and expecting only to spend time sharing my new work with someone whose heart is very connected to my art. As it turned out, M. arrived with not one friend, but four, all of them happy to buzz around helping my client select her next painting. When after much looking, considering, and finally deciding, M. discovered she hadn’t brought along her checkbook. No problem, one of her friends offered to write a check for her. The friends also purchased copies of my book and left with visions of paintings they loved dancing in their heads. I couldn’t have imagined a more delightful afternoon.

Whodda thunk it? Certainly not me, not on this Day After the Fall. Yet a part of me understands that Art created in a certain spirit adheres to a different set of principles than the world marketplace. According to this, love always transcends fear and prosperity, like Art, springs from an unlimited source. Of course, this isn’t always easy to remember, especially when talking heads abound, hell bent on scaring you with dire news. Today, however, I learned there’s a great deal of wisdom in “Be not afraid ….” And a lot of joy to be had in creating this year, 2016, a Summer of Love, no matter what crazy things appear in the world out there!

Ellie

(A note about M.: She’s someone who fits my profile of the Ideal Client. While she is comfortable in her retirement, she is far from membership in the 1%. Her heart sings when she sees certain paintings and, generous with indulging her love of beauty, she doesn’t stint herself. I’m more than happy to remind her that she’s earned the collector’s discount I offer her. This afternoon, as Roo wrapped the new painting that had grabbed her affection today, she told him there were still others of mine she desired. I don’t doubt she will be back – her heart will bring her – and I’ll continue to delight in sharing my art with her.)