An outpouring of love
I mentioned in my last blog post that I wasn't prepared for the outpouring of love that was shown to me when I decided to leave N. W. Idaho. I just need to work through it a little with this post. So forgive me and please indulge me.
When you live somewhere, you tend to take each day as it comes. You never really know how others perceive you. So I announced that I was leaving Post Falls, Idaho, for pastures anew. I just thought that would be it. But I was 'gobsmacked' (I think that's just a British term) by the love and emotion I was shown. The last few shows were emotionally brutal for me. Hugging people whom I have come to know through my art. Collectors who turned into friends. Having people hold me tightly, shake, cry and even plead with me not to go. I do not make this up, or take this lightly. Indeed, it shook me to the core. Being told that I had 'broken their heart', that I would be missed terribly.
I have had fans (now friends) bring me gifts of their interpretations of my works. I can hardly think of any more touching gesture than that. I will include just a few of them here. Especially from the younger generations.....why? What have I done to deserve their affection? I have no point on the compass for this. I'm awkward around younger people because I have no children myself. So I don't quite get why I seem to resonate with them. But I do, and I will miss them all so much.
I’m not sure what my journey will be like going forward. I think that N.W. Arkansas, although it’s a beautiful oasis of creativity and beauty, will be a tough nut to crack. I can feel it. The art community here seems a little fragmented, or maybe that’s just me being unfamiliar with it all. But I’m going to have to work hard to reach the level I attained in N. W. Idaho and Washington. However, I do have an inborn tenacity on my side. It’s gotten me this far, so full speed ahead
When you live somewhere, you tend to take each day as it comes. You never really know how others perceive you. So I announced that I was leaving Post Falls, Idaho, for pastures anew. I just thought that would be it. But I was 'gobsmacked' (I think that's just a British term) by the love and emotion I was shown. The last few shows were emotionally brutal for me. Hugging people whom I have come to know through my art. Collectors who turned into friends. Having people hold me tightly, shake, cry and even plead with me not to go. I do not make this up, or take this lightly. Indeed, it shook me to the core. Being told that I had 'broken their heart', that I would be missed terribly.
I have had fans (now friends) bring me gifts of their interpretations of my works. I can hardly think of any more touching gesture than that. I will include just a few of them here. Especially from the younger generations.....why? What have I done to deserve their affection? I have no point on the compass for this. I'm awkward around younger people because I have no children myself. So I don't quite get why I seem to resonate with them. But I do, and I will miss them all so much.
I’m not sure what my journey will be like going forward. I think that N.W. Arkansas, although it’s a beautiful oasis of creativity and beauty, will be a tough nut to crack. I can feel it. The art community here seems a little fragmented, or maybe that’s just me being unfamiliar with it all. But I’m going to have to work hard to reach the level I attained in N. W. Idaho and Washington. However, I do have an inborn tenacity on my side. It’s gotten me this far, so full speed ahead
