Monday, June 02, 2008

Well, twist my proud trumpet into a tuba.

After celebrating my overnight success, David and I joked that the woman might return the paintings as flawed (I paint on the damaged/rejected canvases from the shop*) or "the wrong color" for her decor. David went so far as to suggest that we tell her, in such an event, to repaint the house to match her new paintings.

How intuitive are we? Next morning, she calls, asking if she can exchange all four paintings. Eegads. There was a distinctive hiss as my spine deflated, and then I had to figure out what would be fair to all of us. Oy, the dismay I felt at such a short moment in glory.

I was reminded of the Tao Te Ching:

"Success is as dangerous as failure.
Hope is as hollow as fear.

What does it mean that success is a dangerous as failure?
Whether you go up the ladder or down it,
your position is shaky.
When you stand with your two feet on the ground,
you will always keep your balance."

I have been saved by a near imbalance...

Whether the colors worked for her or not, I am reminded that this woman was touched on a different level by my paintings, and for a moment, my voice was welcomed into someone's (a stranger's) home as beautiful.


* in preparation for my defense against the "flawed" claim, I came up with the following shameless self-promotion: Yes, I used damaged goods for my paintings. This is part of my trademark, rather like the distinctive flaws that identify a diamond. This is one of the ways that I create my work so that giclee's and reproductions will be clearly less than the original... Take It Or Leave It (TIOLI).

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a bummer. Did she give a reason for wanting the exchange? Did she buy your argument? I must say, though, that I think I heard the deflating hiss loudly and clearly.

Feeling bad stateside...

mrs. tioli said...

She said the colors didn't work with her decor.

I haven't had to use the diamond flaw argument yet; but I think I'll take a preemptive strike if/when someone wants to buy another painting and just let them know it's not perfect. I'll also be clear about sales being final unless we agree that they're taking it on approval.

I'm alright with it all on the surface level, feeling like I'm doing the "talk to the hand." But on a deeper level, I am hurt. This too shall pass...

Anonymous said...

Hi Charlie, I am a new blogger/artist that paints from my intuition and imagination, mainly in acrylics. I live in Cape Town, South Africa. Great to find like-minds on the web, this is all very new to me! Love your site, paintings and what you have to say. Have a look at mine some time, www.diannemcnaughtonart.blogspot.com

Dianne said...

Thanks for your very inciteful words. Your definition under your heading really explains the concept of intuitive painting. Your words, "to work without a sense of audience or market" are incredibly valid.
By allowing my images to reveal themselves in their own time, I find my own unique voice is emerging.
I am looking forward to reading your future posts. x

Anonymous said...

kettle to pot: What's with nothing since June 2. I'm going to have to start reading tabliods to fill the void.

mrs. tioli said...

Call me black if you like, just don't put it on my palette.

I guess I was painting during the interim, as your prompt led to several catch-up posts today. Thanks!