why I love my job

A couple of months ago I got an email from Tom Shermer, who bought Birdland (see the WIP post here). He is a terrific photographer and a birder, so I was not at all surprised to learn that he is an aspiring artist, too. For some reason my work appeals more to artists than other kinds of buyers, which tickles me no end. What he wrote is the kind of thing every artist wants to hear, i.e. that their efforts have prodded, even inspired, someone else to do the same. It totally made my month:

I wanted to let you know that your symbolic work (the whole of primal landscapes and planes of being and earthworks, for instance) really inspire me. In that work I see a real, effective, powerful synthesis of bright color and personal imagery that is a beacon that encourages me to keep stumbling in that direction--the painting direction that I've always been drawn to. I've never accomplished as integrated a work as any of your pieces, and so that direction has always looked bleak to me. I have wondered, if I kept going that way, if there was anything convincing and beautiful to be found there. And seeing your work, I have concluded that there is.

He was kind enough to include photos of Birdland in his condo. There was a closer shot, but I love this fisheye one, especially as it shows his bright colour scheme -- and how neatly Birdland fits in (it's on the left-hand side):


Why else do I love my job? Because, being an artist, I have an instant 'in' to occasionally meeting other artists whose work I admire. Yesterday was one of those days. I had first seen Tracey Costescu's work when jurying an FCA show and was impressed by its sensitivity. The watercolour to the left was one of the works in the show. I was pleased to discover her blog and yesterday I got to meet her at Coquitlam's Frogstone Grill where she's having a solo show in the piano bar area. Very nice and understated! Do check her work out if you're out in that direction. It finishes June 8th.