• Cart
  • Checkout
  • My Account
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter

Aging Schmaging

Women's Issues Midlife And Beyond

  • Aging Schmaging
  • Home
  • Shop
    • Art
    • Cards
    • Photography
    • Scarves
  • Playshops
  • Blog
  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Contact
aging schmaging artist
You are here: Home / Musings About Aging / Why Am I An Artist? A Moment Of Discovery

Why Am I An Artist? A Moment Of Discovery

September 26, 2017 By Gail 2 Comments

aging schmaging artist

View from the art booth

 “I am an artist you know … it is my right to be odd.” 
― E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly

 Twenty minutes. It was nearing the end of a two-day art fair and my husband was getting antsy to start packing up. That’s pretty much the worst part—tearing down when you’re exhausted/hungry/thirsty/exhausted.

Twenty, feels-more-like-two-hours, minutes.

I give my love the stink eye because he “accidently” puts a photograph in its bubble wrap, followed by tucking away a stack of greeting cards.

“Hey! We’re not supposed to shut down until AFTER the advertised hours,” I say. “The organizers get cranky when artists close early and I’m not in the mood to deal with cranky.”

He exhales a martyred breath that lasts fifteen seconds, easy. It reminds me of deflating one of those big exercise balls I have around the house but never use.

“Okaaaaaay. But I’m ready to go home,” he says. Yep. Got that, sweetie.

A short while later an older woman stands in the opening of my booth. She had been flipping through the rack of matted photos but now gazes at the framed works inside.

She’s a slight woman. Frail? She walks with a cane and yet there’s determination in her movements. Maybe she’s out for a late afternoon stroll, I muse. She doesn’t strike me as a shopper.

“Tell me about your photography,” she says. “I’m fascinated.” As if to emphasize her point she backs up, tilts her head to the side, squints at my images, and then returns.

I explain that I layer my photography in iPhone apps until an image emerges that resonates with me…and I hope…others.

Her eyes hold on an 8 x 10 water lily photo. “I love this one to the point that I keep staring at it. It reminds me of stained glass. Do you have it without a frame?”

“No,” I say. “I created it shortly before the show and it’s the only one I have with me.”

aging schmaging pondering

“It looks like stained glass”

She frowned. “How much is it, framed?”

It was then I realized I hadn’t set a price on it. Normally I print out the title, description, paper used in the printing process, and price. Why had I missed that detail this time?

Judging people is wrong. And yet there was something about the woman that melted my heart. The longing in her eyes was palpable.

“Well, since I failed to put a price on it, would you be willing to pay ____?” It was less than half of what I would normally ask, and therefore I was, of course, losing money. My husband raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He’s the one who balances the checkbook.

The woman’s eyes lit up. “Yes! Yes! I’ll take it!”

While I wrapped her photograph she told me she’d been out of work for over a year due to health issues. “My budget has been so tight that I haven’t been able to buy nice things. I’m just starting back to work now. Part of my job is via Skype. Your photo will be on the wall right behind me so everyone can see it!”

As she walked away—cane in one hand, my photo in the other—I felt inexplicably happy. Yes, I had lost money. Again. But that moment of connection through my art was… indescribable.

“That was really nice of you,” said my husband with a suspiciously thick voice.

“Let’s pack up and go home,” I said. “I can’t imagine ending this day any better.”

«
»

Filed Under: Musings About Aging

Avatar photo

A Message From Gail

Through my blog and website, I hope to share beauty, laughter, inspiration, aging & midlife lessons and advice on dealing with menopause. I will also devote time to integrative health and healing tips and news. I want feedback and questions because, while we may be sharing the journey, every woman has her own experience and her own story.

Get Our FREE 
Coloring Book!

Comments

  1. Jodi Baglien says

    September 29, 2017 at 2:51 pm

    Love you, love your words, love your art.

    Reply
    • Avatar photoGail says

      October 17, 2017 at 8:40 pm

      Miss you, Jodi! Was just singing your praises this past weekend.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Download
Our FREE
Coloring Book!

Get Updates – Signup

Once a month one lucky winner from the sign up pool will receive a scarf courtesy of Aging Schmaging. Good luck!

Categories

  • Giveaways
  • Menopause
  • Midlife Sex
  • Musings About Aging
  • Recipes
  • Remembering
  • Sharing
  • The Best Part Of My Day

Recent Posts

  • Past, Present, and Future: What I am Learning as My Husband Recovers from A Stroke By Gail Gates
  • In One Stroke, My World Changed
  • Christmas Fingerprints On The Surface Of My Heart
  • Tears Water A Memorial Garden
  • Crap Wildlife Photography: How I received 1800 “Likes” From A Fugly Photo

Navigate My Site

  • Almost Done!
  • Free Coloring Book
  • Menopause And Women In Midlife Blog
  • Playshops
  • Privacy Policy
  • Return Policy
  • Shop
  • Silk Scarves Playshops Registration
  • Sitemap
  • Success!
  • Testimonials
  • About
  • Contact

Recent Posts

  • Past, Present, and Future: What I am Learning as My Husband Recovers from A Stroke By Gail Gates
  • In One Stroke, My World Changed
  • Christmas Fingerprints On The Surface Of My Heart
  • Tears Water A Memorial Garden
  • Crap Wildlife Photography: How I received 1800 “Likes” From A Fugly Photo

Connect With Me

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Featured From the Shop

  • habitoi silk scarf Habatoi Hand Painted Silk Scarf 101 $35.00
  • grand marais summer solstice Grand Marais Solstice $10.00 – $45.00

Copyright © 2023 · Gail Theme On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Cleantalk Pixel