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A Heartfelt Line or Two…

December 6th, 2010

Thank you. Two little words easily given to the waitress who tops off the coffee cup, or tossed over my shoulder to the other shopper who held the door open for me on her way out and my way in. Quickly given, received and forgotten. But pause a moment, and please accept my “thank you” to you.

Thanks to all the people who have supported my art for another year, either by buying it, helping to sell it, or simply admiring it. Compliments don’t pay the bills, but they create a richness in my soul worth more than gold. Thanks to the folks that own the art galleries who took my art within their walls and shared it with their customers. Thanks to all the people who organize, host, jury and help set up all the art and craft fairs and events. Thanks to all the people who come to those events, even if they aren’t there to see me, because the arts will always need support. Thanks to my fellow artists for inspiration, tidbits of knowledge, and commiseration when the times get tough. I am so lucky to live in a community flush with artists of all types and backgrounds, personalities and experience. They welcome, nurture, teach and share. Thanks too, to my family for all the encouragement and the wealth of talent that amazes me. Thanks most of all to Eric, who tirelessly lugs my boxes and tent from one art fair to the next, made my website and makes my dinner, and makes my life whole.

Recently I was set up at an art fair and a lady commented, surveying my booth, “Oh my, you make all this? You must not work!” I bit my tongue to keep from saying “Yes, all this just magically appears when I twitch my nose Samantha-like.” I know what she meant- no, I don’t work 8-5, Monday through Friday. I work Sunday through Saturday, 8, 10, 12 hours sometimes. I can’t remember the last time I took a day off where I didn’t do something related to my art. What I wouldn’t do for a quiet day on a beach sometimes! And, no, I wouldn’t trade it for any other job. So, thank you. Thank you to the woman who asked me to paint a portrait of her rabbits, thank you to the man who bought felted booties for his son on a chilly day at the farmers’ market, thank you to the lady who wanted a mug with a picture of a cow painted on it, and to the man who bought a bracelet for his stepmother so she would like him, and the woman who picked out a felted rose pin for her daughter. Thank you to the sweet lady who gave me a Monet coffee mug because his paintings make her think of me, and to the woman who sent such a nice card saying how much she enjoyed her barn painting. I love the thought of my art in its various forms working its way out into the world- a painting on someone’s wall, a mug holding hot coffee, a baby’s feet cozy warm in new wool booties. So… thanks. Really.

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