Some people's reaction to my art

 

Art is absorbing but people are fascinating. It's always an adventure to hear their reactions to my art. Everyone has a different view. Each is looking for art for individual reasons and each person has a unique emotional response to each piece. Also, the location in which they view my art sometimes elicits a different reaction. Last winter, I advertised my art on Facebook Marketplace, asking people to come to my house to pick up their purchase. In that private place, they were much more likely to talk longer about art and their individual preference than in the public setting of an art sale, standing in my house, holding their purchase or looking through my bin of finished pieces. Below are some memorable comments from either a public or private place:

1. "Did you actually paint these?" 
• This is the most common question asked. Maybe it's because I look more like a grandmother than an artist. You know -- no tattoos, no dread locks, no big earrings or other face hardware, and no flowers in my hair. One man took my business card and told me he would look at my website to see if I was actually the person who painted them. 
2. "Is this really watercolour?" (confused look on their faces) 
• I then talk about the flexibility of watercolour. 
3. "Are you self-taught?" 
• It's a romantic idea but what is self-taught anyway these days when free and paid lessons are everywhere on social media? Sure, I do lots of experimenting on my own, but I also took lessons in the past from two private teachers in the city and now follow some artists' YouTube channels. 
4. (Picking up a painting of a farm) "Is this a farm in Saskatchewan?" 
• If the answer is no, they put it down and turn away. 
5. One woman bought a dog portrait because it looked like a dog she used to have. 
• Pet portraits are emotional and don't always have to represent the actual pet. 
6. (Picking up a print in a silver frame.) "This will fit with the rest of my decor because all my art has a silver frame." 
• (I hope she also liked the print inside the frame.)
7. Two people recognized my name as a writer in a local newspaper. 
• They didn't buy any art so I hope they like my writing better. 
8. "Do you know (name another artist)?" 
• Usually, the answer is no. 
9. One woman bought four pieces, saying she was refreshing her house. 
10. A customer bought a few farm pieces because she was redecorating for farm friend. 
11. A customer bought a painting and commented she would throw the frame and mat away and reframe it. 
• Ouch! 
12. A couple of people have told me they want to collect landscapes by local artists, aiming to cover their walls with art. 
13. A friend gave one of my cards to a friend who turned it over to read my name and asked, "Does she sell cards at McNally Robinson?" 
• Relating this to me later, my friend said to me, "You're getting famous!" With all the names out there, this is unusual.
  (Insert happy dance here.) 
14. Since this is Saskatoon and we love our pelicans, many people love my pelican art. 
15. I should also mention that several people commented on how much they love all my art. 
• That's my favourite feedback. 

A particular painting will evoke memories for someone and they love to tell me about it. I don't mind listening because I love to hear those stories and I love talking about art.