Sunday, August 2, 2009

In the Middle of Lake Erie Grows a Flower

Above is a photo called "Lake Erie Daisy" that I presented to the innkeeper of the House on Huntington Lane in gratitude for all her help with getting started in the art world.

A year ago today was the first time I ever participated in an art show. It happened kind of like the way things happened to Forrest Gump. You see, I had called up my friendly neighborhood innkeeper at the House on Huntington Lane Bed and Breakfast on Kelleys Island to ask whether she had a room available so I could stay overnight, take pictures, and look into selling some prints on the island. A link to the House on Huntington Lane appears below:

http://www.houseonhuntington.com/index.htm

Since I had stayed there before, the innkeeper knew me and suggested, “Why don’t you call up the Kelleys Island Historical Association? They’re having an art show. All you have to do is come set up a card table.” A link to the Kelleys Island Historical Association appears below:

http://www.kelleysislandhistorical.org/

Having absolutely no experience, I happily agreed. Long story short, I sold a decent amount of photos featuring Kelleys Island landscape and nature scenes last year. The most touching moment came when a six-year-old boy stepped forward and introduced himself to me because he wanted to meet a “real artist” and his mom had just bought him a picture I was selling of the glacial grooves so that he could hang up the famous Kelleys Island rock formation in his bedroom. A link to an earlier post on the glacial groove photo appears below:

http://countrydreaming-countrycorner.blogspot.com/2009/02/kelleys-island-photo-published-in.html

The event ended on a humorous note when my card table totally collapsed right at the end of the show. Some guy volunteered that he could fix up my table enough so that the Kelleys Island Historical Association might pay me $10 for it. At that point, I simply donated the table for free and was real happy they didn’t charge me anything to haul it away as junk that was messing up their beautiful island! You might say my art career began with a bang …

Anyway. This spring, the same innkeeper from the House on Huntington Lane gave me another good suggestion: The Lake Erie daisies were in bloom along the North Shore Loop trail. I was so grateful that I gave her a 5x7 copy of the daisy in an 8x10 mat as a gift at this year’s island art show.

12 comments:

Annie Jeffries said...

Your story is so heartwarming and I am very happy for you for this success start. I especially like how you simply responded to the call to participate and didn't overthink the possibilities. Three cheers for you.

By the way, thank you for reminding me of Mrs. Gump's very wise words.

earthdust said...

I never can say which photo I like better of yours, because each one is uniquely beautiful.

Janie said...

Beautiful story about the child meeting a real artist. Funny about the card table!
I'm so happy for you that things are going well with your career. How exciting!

Judy said...

What a great story and a great place. Your photos are just awesome. I am sure you will be a real inspiration to that child and he will cherish his photo. Good luck to you.

Montanagirl said...

It's a wonderful story-line, and am so happy you got off to such a good start. Your photography is really terrific.

Teresa Mallen said...

So you have a year of art adventures under your belt! I am sure you will have many more!! Congratulations!! As Annie stated, not overthinking things is often a good thing. :-) I wish you all the best...

Poetic Artist said...

I should have known you would start out with a bang. LOL. Your work is so wonderful. You are blessed with the eyes of an artist to look through a camera and catch the most beautiful touch of God's art.
Keep in touch, I worry when you are not around. That is what friends are for.
Katelen

earthdust said...

I couldn't of said it better Katelen!!
Heidi

Mary said...

Great story and great photo. Good luck on your art.

Deedee said...

It was great to read the story of how you got started selling your beautiful photos! They really are wonderful. What a fantastic boost from that little boy and his mom. Maybe someday I will be able to sell my writing and do what I love for a living too. Thanks for all your encouragement!

EcoRover said...

Great story, especially the little boy & the table. Life happens, and sometimes the path finds us?

Mary said...

Hi, I came by way of Katelen's blog. Love the photos. They are really beautiful. Will come back to browse older posts.