We’re all wondering. Artists, car manufacturers, clothing retailers. What’s the value we place on art and does it become one of the first non-essentials to be eliminated?
This was the weekend of the Good Hope School Fine Arts Exhibit- a juried, Caribbean Art Show of about 50 artists. Eagerly awaited by locals and snowbirds, it’s one of the biggest events of the season here.
Patron traffic and interested traffic seemed considerably less than last years show. The usual feeding frenzy of private showings before the doors open, was not a frenzy. More like a dietary fast. Red dots used to fly at this show in past years. Not this year.
I sold three paintings within 45 minutes.
OK, I didn’t faint. But damn near close.
Buying art should be as thoughtful a process as making it. Adios, frenzies. Isn’t it so much better to moderate our impulses and refine our choices, to be mindful in selecting what we bring into our lives and our homes.
I had inner tugs of conflict about prices in this new under-stimulated, yet to be bailed out time we’re living in. Lowered some prices at the last minute.
It didn’t seem to matter. If it moved or touched someone, it found a home.
These were the three-
“The Gatekeeper” 9X12 framed o/p
“August Sun ” 9X12 framed o/p
” The Elixir ” 11X14 acrylic
Valentines’ Weekend too. I felt the love.
Maybe I’ll be asked to make an appearance on Winfreys’ show.
Okra Winfrey-
Taken at our annual Ag Fair, also this weekend.
A glorious three day event- high spirits, great food, local everything, animals, bands, music, more food, plants, vegetables, sunburned feet, and more kissing than a frat party.
Food is eternal and a necessity. Art? You betcha.
Tags: art shows, Good Hope Fine Art Exhibit, oil painting in the Caribbean, selling art today, St Croix Ag Fair
Asheville: The North West of The South East 
February 17, 2009 at 9:30 pm |
Its like there is an invisible “Medici” family out in the cosmos pulling on your strings, in all the wonderful ways a string can be pulled. GOOD FOR YOU MOM-E-O!
February 17, 2009 at 10:09 pm |
Bonnie, your buyers have excellent taste. Selling 3 when there’s low turnout is worth a happy dance. How did the other artists fare?
February 17, 2009 at 11:55 pm |
Congratulations!
That’s an incredible accomplishment for you during these, uh, times. I’m sure your paintings of rich color and bold brushstrokes caught the eye of many. Were they purchased by three different collectors? Inquiring minds need to know…
February 18, 2009 at 12:39 am |
Congrats on the sales.
“Artists, car manufacturers, clothing retailers.”
Two of these groups have products that are usually cheaper when bought secondhand. hee hee!
… but I’ll keep looking for a Rembrandt at the local Thrift shop.
February 18, 2009 at 1:25 am |
It’s good for the heart and soul to see that great work is appreciated!
February 18, 2009 at 3:14 am |
Wow, congratulations! They are lovely paintings and I’m so happy for you to have sold them! The Boulder Art Association recently had an art show–juried, even–with members’ work, in a good space for a month. ONE piece was sold of all the artwork. Just ONE. There were probably a hundred pieces of art or so available. (It was my art teacher’s piece–go figure.)
February 18, 2009 at 3:37 am |
OMG! YOU ROCK girl! Congratulations! Way to go! Love the pieces you sold. Those buyers sure got some beautiful paintings.
February 18, 2009 at 1:37 pm |
What a nice post, Bonnie, and those three paintings surely should have found homes. Even though the others will be living with you for a bit longer, I am confident they will eventually find their way into the world, too.
Yes, it does not hurt for people to discriminate more on what they bring into their lives. And yes, art is a necessity right along with food, as in food for the body and soul. Art should be one of the last, not first, to go. Plus, what could be “greener” and more supportive of humankind than to spend one’s money on art, rather than cars or clothes!
Congratulations on a successful weekend!
February 18, 2009 at 2:45 pm |
Thanks Progeny- I may be able to paint it but you always know how to say it.
Love you too.
Nancy- Thanks for the good words.
I’m bigger on blushing than I am on dancing. I do the former better than the latter.
Sharon- thank you- three different collectors, all full time residents of St Croix. One of the paintings of The Gatekeeper had it’s red dot placed, unknowingly by the subjects aunt, who looked and exclaimed ” Oh, that’s my nephew”!
It went to a local medical practitioner here.
A benefit of a small community is knowing so many people and being known for what you do.
I feel fortunate and inspired.
PR- thanks too. We’re all second hand, having lived some.
Terry- it meant so much to me, being in the company of some of St. Croixs’ best and most well known artists.
Jala- thank you, you who are prolific and so very good yourself. it’s really about the painting, as you prove every day with your new posts.
It’s hard not to be disheartened but we can’t fix the big picture. We just have to keep painting the small ones.
Carol- awwwww, thank you. The teeth gnashing and eternal canvas wiping is part of the ( lesser known ) process.
Don- thanks so much for the reaffirmation of real priorities.
Art is generational, and provides pleasure every day that it’s admired and inspirational.
They’re in the living room now, which needed some revamping anyway.
February 18, 2009 at 6:06 pm |
ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!!!
Not surprising, even in this weak economy. Work that “moves” moves!!
Also….. how in the world do you get those props to set up those hilarous photos that fit with what you’re blogging about! I LOVE to read your blog… You ALWAYS make me smile!! The guy on the gurney is great…. and I’ll always have the vision of that skeleton trying to put one more touch on his painting…. as a reminder.
Wonderful!!
February 18, 2009 at 11:40 pm |
Oh, this was a fun post and I agree that gurney photo! But, also, i love that painting “Elixir”!! Maybe I missed it, but it really is lovely. And, I’m so glad the pool man found a home and the Gatekeeper. I remember both those posts and it makes me want to pat the buyer on the back, give him a wink, and say, “You got a good one!”.
February 19, 2009 at 12:09 am |
Marian- so glad these entries tickle your funny side. That veggie face was made by a St Kitts farmer showing his produce at our annual Ag Fair.
How could I resist!
The fun part for me is finding a way to tie in a quirky photo with something I’ve done. Or can’t do. Or, as you so rightly recall about the skeleton, do to much of.
Thanks for your sweet words.
Pat- I know there was a point back there where you cared to never see the Gatekeeper again. Maybe I let him carry the blog for too long. But now he’s gone home to someone new.
I wish you were here to do the patting in person.
February 19, 2009 at 8:00 am |
No wonder these three found good homes – you’ve captured something beyond just the image in them.
February 19, 2009 at 12:27 pm |
I knew that you had sold three of your precious works but it was not until I got home last night from the Left Coast that I got the visuals of which paintings had sold. Nearly spit out my tea when I saw the photo of the ‘fainting’ dummy. Your patrons are lucky to have a Luria gracing their respective homes.:)
February 19, 2009 at 3:13 pm |
Nava-maybe the sweat and angst and desire to portray with some authentic feeling comes out and I don’t realize in what form.
I am very grateful.
Judy- it brought to mind your photo of the painting skeleton.
And I’m not the only person who was reminded of that.
Welcome home.
February 19, 2009 at 8:29 pm |
Yeah Bonnie!!!! 45 minutes! Actually, I’m not really surprised. Last year, by the time I got there, I think all your paintings were sold.
I don’t remember seeing The Elixir on your blog, nor do I recall the portrait on the right. Are you hiding stuff from us?
I’m not sure Oprah would be particularly flattered… 🙂
February 20, 2009 at 1:53 pm |
Not surprised at all that they sold. All very strong paintings that stir the emotions.
You are looking as attractive as your work not counting that bill board stuck to your nice dress. Are there a lot of people with sight problems on the island?
February 20, 2009 at 2:11 pm |
Damnation, Bonnie. I hate it when people remember my life better than I do! I was tired of Gatekeeper? Seriously, I should be sold with a mute button.
February 20, 2009 at 5:08 pm |
Nathalie- it’s hard to believe that it was a year ago that you landed on St.Croix for a visit.
Every painting in the show was on this blog, maybe some months ago.
Hide stuff? I don’t have enough to hide. What I got- you all get.
Bill-thanks for the affirmation and recognition of a tacky name tag if ever there was one.
That it didn’t have a glue-y, sticky back was in it’s favor but it’s awkward size and lack of artistry, well, I agree with you.
We don’t have vision issues as much as we do amnesia issues. I’d forget everyones’ name if we weren’t all festooned with badges.
Pat- you tired of him in the way that was only meant to shake up my muse and get me moving on to another painting. And you were right.
If you go mute, I’d be much relieved to know that you could still type……..
February 21, 2009 at 11:28 pm |
Congrats on your sales!
Paz
February 22, 2009 at 3:26 pm |
Paz- thanks, it’s always a good feeling for an artist to be appreciated.
February 25, 2009 at 8:54 pm |
Good for you! Who said art was a non-essential anyway? I liked the paintings that sold and it was nice to see a few of them together. I’m really enjoying the looseness of your brush stokes and the choice of colours.
February 28, 2009 at 5:26 pm |
Your work looks great. Congratulations on the sales.
March 1, 2009 at 2:34 am |
Razz- that looseness is harder to achieve than it’s name suggests so I’m very glad that’s how you see it.
I think I erred in implying that art is non essential. It may not be food or lodging but it is definitely sustenance.
Bill- your comments mean a lot to me. I admire your work so much for expressing that very looseness that Razz mentions above.
Thank you.
March 2, 2009 at 4:03 pm |
Well, I’m almost to the point of being happy to look at another lizard post. “Almost” being the operative word. I’m stuck home in yet another blizzard in this winter of discontent and avoiding any news of the outside world.
March 3, 2009 at 2:12 pm |
Bonnie – they are sold, get some more up here. I’m being so vision deprived everything is looking gray to me. Perhaps if you were to send me a Tootsie Roll I would feel better.
April 6, 2009 at 7:39 pm |
Hey, Bonnie!
It’ll take me a bit to catch up on your blog – everyone seemed to take these big long breaks, this winter, so I got out of the habit of looking in…..maybe I was just very, very sad and got tired of being sad. well, not maybe – that’s how it was. But, I’ve checked in and see that people have gotten back into it, so here I am, too!!!
I like the okra winfrey dealio. Funny.
No more time, right now. But, I’ll stop by later and look carefully at all you’re doing.
Big smiles!
Solveg