Gratitude

This weekend I participated in the South Coast Open Studio Tour.  It was successful in so many ways. I met people who 'knew' me from my blog (lots of you!).  I met people who I only knew through Facebook.  And I met friends of friends who had seen my work in small doses at other shows, or at The Art Stable Gallery.

Here's what I found... people who love art, have big, beautiful hearts.  I don't pretend to understand why, but they see beauty first, just like so many artists.  Meeting them is a joy.  They may or may not purchase anything, that is irrelevant.  What they say to me when they see my art makes my heart sing.  They say that it makes them smile.  It lifts their spirits. It reminds them in the dead cold of Winter that there will soon be Spring.  They 'get' how I love dogs, cats, birds... sunsets, glittering water and dew on the grass.  They say they 'know' me through the things I choose to paint.  They cheer me on, and remind me why I share my work online, as well as in shows and galleries.

Well, THEY lift my heart.  With their comments on my blog and on Facebook.  When they wish me luck with my Open Studio. When they pile in the car with friends and make the trek to visit my part of the world, trusting me that when I say there's a lot of interesting work to see besides mine, that I won't steer them wrong.  They tell me my Blogging Talk motivated them to start their own blog, and are happy they did.  

Honestly, I had a LOT of sales.  It was exciting.  It was exciting to see someone have a painting 'speak' to them, and have them tell me they will treasure it.  But the most wonderful thing was to meet so many truly beautiful people, to share a little conversation, and to feel the connection.  Thank you to all of you who came out when they could've been sitting in their air conditioned living rooms.  Thank you for making my weekend.