After I finished 3 more Sawtooth Near Sunnypoint paintings, I thought it might be prudent to do one more. This would go quickly (both the painting of it and the selling) at a smaller size, 6×12″. I chose that size for the Mural Gallery, who had just sold a 6×12″ painting of Farewell Gap. I thought this might be a good companion to that one, if they were willing to call the customer.
I delivered the new one wet to the Mural Gallery, then headed to the Courthouse Gallery for the day. Within an hour, someone came in who had just been at the Mural Gallery. She loved the painting but didn’t buy it because it was wet!
She walked around the show, and came back to the new 11×14″ painting of Sawtooth that I had just hung on the wall, replacing the first 11×14″ that had sold. I hadn’t yet put up a “SOLD” sticker, and the customer said, “That’s the one – I’ll take that!”
Oh-oh.
Me: “Umm, I’m sorry, that one is sold!”
Customer: “Can you paint it again for me?”
Fall down laughing!
Me (after getting hold of myself): “Of course!”
Me (after customer leaves): “ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? WHAT IS GOING ON?”
Me (next day): “I wonder if I could paint this scene now without looking at any photographs or previous versions.”
Trail Guy: “Better not try that if you want to sell it!”
3 Comments
“An embarrassment of riches,” as they say (whoever “they”) are)!
Maybe the gallery should just make your show a permanent one! That way you could afford improvements on your cabin: a generator (and/or solar panels), satellite dish, laptop, fax machine (for those future commissions), garage for the Bot-mobile, wood splitter, ceiling fan for those hot summer days, double-pane windows, wallpaper, dishwasher, microwave . . . the possibilities are endless!!
Sharon, I have wanted to ask these Sawtooth Customers: “Did you not get a chance to walk around the entire room and see the other 47 pictures??”
As far as a permanent exhibit goes – not a chance. The hours are way too limited. And familiarity breeds contempt – my work would become invisible – “That old stuff is still here??”
Your ideas to improve the cabin – also not a chance. The more stuff you own, the more stuff breaks. But thank you for the list – maybe we could get a few of those in the house. . . wait, nope, the more stuff we own, the more stuff breaks. (New fridge, washer and water heater all within the past year).
1. I get it. Every year we hear, “Why isn’t singing in the concert this year?” I would like to respond, “I’m sorry you don’t like the other 20 pieces we have rehearsed diligently for 7 weeks,” but I don’t.
2. Good point. Same ol’ same ol’ does get old.
3. I forgot to add spray foam insulation, can lights, and faux beams! (I hope you know I was just joshin’ ya!)
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