In the Bloginning...


Flying dancer is the first piece I created as a professional artist. That is to say that I created it very soon after decided to become a professional artist. I loved how the piece fairly flew together, I believe most of the work was done in just two hours with some detail work the next day. I was very excited about the piece and decided to make it a limited edition of 50. I sent the mold down to the foundry to cast in bronze, and then cast five or six pieces in bonded marble, bonded bronze and plaster. Then the mold went into storage until I was ready to cast more. Unfortunately I folded the rubber and when I pulled out the mold it ripped in a bad way. Thus the edition of 50 was reduced to an edition of 7. Over the next few years one by one the castings were sold, and all I had left was the one bronze casting. I mentioned that in various shows and one lady told me to stop showing it, because I would feel really bad if it sold. I thought very little of that idea, as I had made it to be sold. Then, later this summer on a whim I decided to show my work in a local vendor show for our hometown rodeo. The first two days passed as they sometimes do without any sales, then on Saturday I made a few sales early in the day. Of course living as an artist sometimes our income fluctuations are more sparse, so when a gentleman walked up while I was sculpting a portrait sketch and said his wife liked the bronze flying dancer, I was unprepared. He wanted to make a deal, he made his offer and I countered. he gave me his 'best price', and I just sat there looking at the piece. Then one of the stupidest things happened. The words that lady had spoken to me earlier in the summer came back to me and I started to get weepy. Now for those of you who know me I am a bit emotional when it comes to sappy movies, etc. My wife teases me about it, but I have NEVER cried about selling a piece of art. But there I was streaming tears while trying to negotiate. I think it got me because the words that lady said didn't help! I asked him to give me a second, told him a bit of what was going on so he wouldn't think I was one of those weird artists (I know too late). I emphasized that this was not a negotiating ploy and that I accepted his offer, whereupon he increased his final price by another significant amount (but not quite my first counter offer). I collected myself enough to run his card, get his info, and write a receipt. I asked if I could take it back with me to make sure I had enough good pictures, which he agreed to. Then I delivered it on Monday. When I got home I realized that I do have one more casting of it in plaster. It is partially broken on the edge, which was why I hadn't displayed it, but I think it can stay in my studio. I don't want a repeat of the last time. I've sold pieces I loved making since then, and no tears. So was it a fluke or just the timing. Who knows. I hope I haven't ruined your image of me as a manly man, but if so, at least you can see my art does mean something to me, more than just a paycheck.




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