Sometimes something happens and it fills in all the spaces. As a working artist you are your own CEO. There is art to be created, and business to be conducted.
But every once in a while something happens that reminds you why.
A young girl and her parents stopped to see my work. The girl was fascinated but quiet and clinging to her mother, who showed her pictures of my whimsical and colorful sketches. It became clear to me that I very much wanted her to have a piece, and I tried to offer her the one that seemed to be her favorite. She hid behind her mother - shaking her head no. Her wishes were respected. Later her father revisited me to explain her shyness and I gave him the piece, saying I hoped she would enjoy it. He said she was talking of nothing else...
Three weeks later they stopped in, this time with a small framed collage piece that Madeline wanted to give me in return. You can see the image here, but only in person can you feel in this gift the shy, kind, quiet generosity of a small child, possessing a creative, caring wisdom.
Beauty is where you find it. The deepest gift of someone’s heart… in the treasure of a child’s work of art.
I was humbled.
These are the moments.
Thank you, Madeline.
For hiding behind your mother, while showing me your soul.
