Combining fine art and real estate . . .

Trying something untried can be fun and informative

A couple of weeks ago, the listing Realtor for my next door neighbor's house approached me with a novel idea. Since my neighbors had pieces of my work hanging throughout their home, would I consider doing a special exhibit during her next open house and bring more pieces in?

I said yes without hesitation. I thought it would be fun and also help my neighbors. It was also informative.

We had a very good turnout, which made me wonder about something. I saw so many people who already have my work that I began asking them why they would come to a home to see my paintings when they can come to my gallery seven days a week. Many had made a special trip through a lot of traffic to get there.

The answer unanimously was that they wanted to see my work in a home setting with natural lighting rather than gallery track lighting. I had to agree with them that it was better.

Track lighting, particularly LED spotlights which I've invested in for environmental reasons, seem to take away from the three-dimensional quality I endeavor so hard to paint into my originals. Every painting brought in for the show looked so much better with ambient room and window lighting. 

This is part of the reason why we take pieces out on our front porch for people to see in natural light and why we let people try paintings out in their own lighting at home.

I have one room of my gallery where light is almost entirely natural and bright, but it's impossible in another room and a challenge when leaves are on the crepe myrtle trees just outside of the windows of the main showroom.

​I'm going to see what I can do, perhaps add tables, lamps to that room. I'm not sure exactly what yet, but I'll figure something out! Come in and check it out. I'll be working on this project throughout October as I gear up for the holidays. I'd love your opinion!