more art

A few days ago, we received an invitation to an art opening for which a friend was one of three exhibitors. You bet we were planning to go. We scheduled a visit with another friend around the exhibit and in the early afternoon headed to the gallery.

One of the artists was a photographer. His photos were technically fine -- black and white, in focus, somewhat poignant, and they didn't really speak to me.

The next person was a painter. Again, fine, somewhat technically adept, and tended to choose subject matter that was just (ok, here it comes) trivial. Like a big American flag blowing over who knows what because the flag was so distracting. Or a bunny with pointed ears sitting next to a spilled vase of flowers. ho hum.

I actually met this person, who was full of enthusiasm. I said "Oh, you're one of the painters? Terrific!" (meaning, really, I'm pleased to meet you and I'm afraid to say anything else). She said "Thank you so much!" because of course, she took it as a profound compliment, and I at least felt good that I'd made her a little happy.

I was greatly relieved to discover that the friend whose work we came to see is actually good -- way way better than Ms. Terrific. Robert fell in love with the colors she used and with her brushstrokes -- spare but well-placed, like good writing. (And in fact, she is also a writer; perhaps the two disciplines inform each other in her work.)

Robert ended up buying one of her pieces, an image of a walnut grove in California. It will come to live with us at the end of the month when the exhibit is taken down. Our artist friend was honored and mentioned that the piece will go to a very good home. We are just delighted to know that her work will come to live with us. It will have a good home indeed.