Last I week went humming down the coast to bring artwork to 2 galleries that represent me. They have been really hurting this past year due to the economy. The artist that they will hang onto are ones that understand the winter months are slow and differ payment until February, heck it is only 2 months and we don’t show until April anyways. It is a great boost to get supplies.
I walk up to the gallery with one of my fish paintings and WHAM! A lady with a camera scream’s “There she is!” She runs up to me with the gallery owner following her and is absolutely giddy. I proceed to back up slowly and want to run in the opposite direction. She is waiting to see the new artwork and want’s a photo with the artist. Now, my husband has watched the entire situation unfold. He is laughing so hard he can’t breath and the children’s eyes are as big as Oreo's. My son (8yrs) says,” Hey, Dad since mom’s famous can I take her for show & tell next week?”
The gallery owner is waving his hands with a check wanting more artwork. He is
stating that the sales due to the weather warming up have been outstanding. The medium priced work does very well. (Note He is not accepting any artist at this time, his wife paints and has 70% of the gallery, my stuff is in the back. This is ok because the mindset is the expensive work is upfront and the work they can afford is in the back, I love it.) I unload the car with only 8 pieces and watch out of the corner of my eye as a man picks one up being inventoried. My heart is beating outside my chest with adrenaline due to shear shock of such interest. I sit in the car thanking my father up stairs for the gift to paint. I have a check in my hand worth at least 2 shows. That old SUV couldn’t get home fast enough to hit the canvas, the idea’s were running in my mind.
So is the recession over? Or do people have the mind set change of season change of environment. Did they save over the winter to be able to spend or are the tides changing economically? I am not sure but, I will be riding on the high of that experience for years! Again, sorry to post about a gallery vs shows. Thought the positive note may be a glimmer of hope in the art business.
Happy Day!
Heather
