The Bad
Santa Fe update. Well…There have been highs and lows. The first day we set out for Canyon Road with one of my sculptures in the back seat as well as a box from John Stebila, who is currently represented by Gannon Arts and Antiques. I had agreed to drop off his sculpture and was promised the owner would look at my work and possibly point me in the right direction if his gallery was not a good fit.
We arrived on Canyon Road early knowing the parking would fill up fast and I did not want to carry my 85 lb sculpture far when the gallery owner said, “I love it! You can you bring it in now!” I have suffered very little rejection in my short art career and had high hopes and expectations. So, with my beautiful portfolio in hand, I boldly marched into the gallery I thought I most wanted to represent my work. I located the demonstrating artist (more on that in a minute), who I had never met before, but through a friend, he had agreed to introduce me to the owner, which he did.
Faux Pas: A social blunder. Merriam-Webster says arriving too early would be a serious faux pas. How about arriving at all on one of the biggest events on Canyon Road where almost every gallery had a demonstrating artist in front of their gallery? All of the owners were busy setting up, getting the artist settled, and preparing for the huge crowds of people about to descend.
Enter one over-confident artist. After the promised introduction, I missed all of the signs. The owner graciously said “Hi” and invited us to “enjoy the gallery”. I should have realized that meant, “I am busy now. Maybe we can talk later.” But not me! I jumped right in. “Would you like to see my work?” and the answer, “GOD NO! Not this early! Never come this early.” I asked when would be a better time and was told 3pm, but realized later I had already blown my first impression and did not return out of respect for the artist who had given me the introduction.
I did talk to the artist later, and he said he wished I had waited until we could talk. He did look at my work and said that he was “blown away” by it. We had a wonderful conversation. I apologized for any trouble I might have caused him. I also let him know I would not be returning. I think he was relieved. He gave me some good advice. I hope we stay in touch. I respect his work; it is truly beautiful. I left deflated, wondering why I was there, and I could not, and still have not, got the words “GOD NO!” out of my now much smaller head.
We arrived on Canyon Road early knowing the parking would fill up fast and I did not want to carry my 85 lb sculpture far when the gallery owner said, “I love it! You can you bring it in now!” I have suffered very little rejection in my short art career and had high hopes and expectations. So, with my beautiful portfolio in hand, I boldly marched into the gallery I thought I most wanted to represent my work. I located the demonstrating artist (more on that in a minute), who I had never met before, but through a friend, he had agreed to introduce me to the owner, which he did.
Faux Pas: A social blunder. Merriam-Webster says arriving too early would be a serious faux pas. How about arriving at all on one of the biggest events on Canyon Road where almost every gallery had a demonstrating artist in front of their gallery? All of the owners were busy setting up, getting the artist settled, and preparing for the huge crowds of people about to descend.
Enter one over-confident artist. After the promised introduction, I missed all of the signs. The owner graciously said “Hi” and invited us to “enjoy the gallery”. I should have realized that meant, “I am busy now. Maybe we can talk later.” But not me! I jumped right in. “Would you like to see my work?” and the answer, “GOD NO! Not this early! Never come this early.” I asked when would be a better time and was told 3pm, but realized later I had already blown my first impression and did not return out of respect for the artist who had given me the introduction.
I did talk to the artist later, and he said he wished I had waited until we could talk. He did look at my work and said that he was “blown away” by it. We had a wonderful conversation. I apologized for any trouble I might have caused him. I also let him know I would not be returning. I think he was relieved. He gave me some good advice. I hope we stay in touch. I respect his work; it is truly beautiful. I left deflated, wondering why I was there, and I could not, and still have not, got the words “GOD NO!” out of my now much smaller head.
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