Measuring a business’ success is not just a sum total of statistics.  It’s about participation. It’s about experience.  I hit a milestone in my career last month, but it wasn’t an obvious award or big art sale.  It was wrapped up in a single comment from a dear patron.

 

Barry purchased a small landscape painting from me about ten years ago.  He loves the simplicity of the design and it’s a cherished part of his art collection.  When he came to visit my booth at this year’s Summer Art Market, he told me that he has a friend with macular degeneration. She is surrounding herself with beautiful artwork in her home as she slowly loses her eyesight and asked Barry if she could borrow my landscape painting from his art collection to have in her home during this time.

 

Heavy.  That hit me right in the heart like a ton of bricks and brought tears to my eyes.  She wanted MY artwork to be one of the last things she sees as she slips into a world of darkness? This is a painting I almost abandoned because, as I worked on location, the sun was going down and I was getting bitten by mosquitoes.  But I threw on some bug spray and a headlamp and finished it.  And now this little creation, that almost never was, has made its way into the mind and heart of a very special person in need.  I’m having a hard time articulating how impactful that was to hear.  It’s an incredible honor and it reminded me that we never fully know the potential impact we could have on another person with a single creation, a passing comment, a small gesture.

 

I am so glad that Barry shared this story with me and his friend has been in the forefront in my thoughts.  I have a folder where I save all of the lovely emails and comments from past patrons, friends, family, and fellow artists.  THIS is the way I measure my success: Knowing that people have had their lives enriched by my art.  Thank you to everyone who has shared your encouragement and enthusiasm over the years.  I am so overwhelmingly grateful for every day that I get to spread some joy and create something beautiful for this world.