It has been a busy week around here, what with birds and garage sales and Art in the Park and job interviews and other activities. I also had a three-day migraine, which finally lifted yesterday. At first, after the pain stopped, it felt like my brain was bruised, which felt blissfully better than the migraine. It’s almost worth having a migraine for the sheer relief that comes when it’s over. Almost. (Actually, no, it’s not.)
We went to Art in the Park on Sunday afternoon. They’ve been calling it The New Art Show for the past year or two, but I expect that name will get old fast. The show fills up that park in the Glebe, and spills out onto Clemow Avenue. It’s one of my favourite shows of the year, and it was especially good this year.
I didn’t plan to buy anything, for budgetary reasons. We stumbled upon a double booth which an art teacher had rented for his own art and for some of his students’ art too. Ten-year-old Ella was working at the booth, and she had a number of pieces of her art for sale, but she hadn’t sold anything yet. Her pricing scheme was “Name your price.”
Of course that can just be awkward, because you have no idea if the price you’re thinking of naming is even in the same league as the price she secretly has in her head, so you don’t want to put it out there.
She told us that her dad wouldn’t let her hang her art up in the house, or, if he did, only on walls that people wouldn’t see much. Like the basement. Or her room. She figured he didn’t think it was good enough to hang on the real walls, even though he never came right out and said that.
At one point GC was talking to her teacher and I told Ella that there was all kinds of wonderful art at the show that I’d love to buy, including her painting of a giraffe, but that I don’t have a job right now so I’m not buying any art today. Then she told me that she’d be happy to sell her giraffe for $20, because $20 is a lot of money for her and she hadn’t sold anything yet.
A few minutes later, GC and I were walking away from the booth, and I related that conversation to him. He immediately turned around and went back to the booth. He asked Ella if the giraffe was still available, and would she consider selling it for $40.
I wish I had a picture of her at that moment. It was like all kinds of happiness just exploded throughout her entire being. GC looked pretty happy too.
that post has just put a beautiful soppy tear in my eye, perfect start to a monday morning. thankyou
What a guy!! Good for you, GC!
It’s a wonderful giraffe! And a fine addition to your menagerie…
OMG the entire story made me cry!! Thank you for your support of artists and youth!!!!!
De-lurking to say that I’m glad I’m not the only one who became all misty-eyed reading your story. Your GC is a fine man!
Great story, thanks for sharing!
Way to go GC!
Was going through semi withdrawal with your busy week, and was worth the wait! I like the giraffe, and wish I had been there!
Good for GC!. And the giraffe looks pretty cool. “Dad’ needs some new parenting skills.
This story brought tears to my eyes, too. Thank you for sharing this bit of happiness.
Also, it is a lovely giraffe.
I think the giraffe will be a great addition to your walls.
Good work Ella!
This story just confirms all my opinions of GC.
Oh yeah, I agree about the migraine thing too.
Beautiful – GC, I’ve never met you, but I like the hell out of you!
Also, you got a deal on that giraffe. it’s awesome.
Great giraffe – and I’m glad I’m not the only one to tear up.
Selling your first piece of art is an incredible feeling!
Crying and grinning; I loved this post!
Awww … this is all rainbows and kittens and made me feel really happy. Thanks for sharing this!
p.s. I hope it’s not really true about her dad not letting her put her art work up in the house
I loved my kids art. If it was sturdy enough, it ended up on the walls. I even framed one piece. The more casual stuff ended up next to my bedroom mirror so I could see it every day when I got up.
Buying something someone has made is an investment in the future of handmade goods. And who knows if that young woman will go on to paint more and more.
Who says you can’t buy happiness?
My kids wish I would take down some of the art from their younger days. Poo on Ella’s dad!
It’s such a lovely giraffe! I wonder if her dad really is that mean, or if there was some info missing in her telling of the story… hope it’s the latter.
What a beautiful story and I will ‘fess up to being teary-eyed here too. I personally love the giraffe and would be proud to hang it anywhere in my home.