My Twilight Saga!

Nov 17, 2011 by Deborah

My New Moon experience !! My tie with these new moon blockbuster films is the author, Stephenie Meyer. It was the coldest weather Phoenix had in years. Myself, along with 99 other juried artists were exhibiting at an annual art show here in Scottsdale. The show is a huge launched outdoor tent, like a mobile gallery, complete with electricity for lights. It has no heat, you’re only protected from the rain and even then, the seams in the tent…well, water finds the weak spots! Ourselves and the art always remains protected, but desert winds and rain can flood the floors. It’s always humbling when you’re in there with 80 mph winds! The tent is secure to hold up to that, though our neighbors at Russo & Steel were not so lucky one year! That tent collapsed and totaled some priceless beauties. You’re there no matter what the weather is doing or how freezing it is. Some days I could hardly feel my hands and I did attempt to wear gloves…but it’s impossible to paint in those. Gotta feel the brush! Now you see why I’m just shy of my coat below!

So here we all are, patiently waiting for “our clients” and sales to roll in after 9 weeks had gone by. The show builds, sometimes patrons come at this timing for 2 reasons: Some want something before there’s no chance left to get it, & others want you to slash prices out of desperation. It is what it is. Most serious collectors are respectful and ethical; the ones that have revealed themselves to be otherwise I don’t do business with. For 72 days straight, your studio is a 30′x8′ art booth where you work, create and talk to patrons during the show. I’ll never forget this. It was the last week of the show, we were all struggling with sales just to make a living. The long hours of being accessible to people and standing on cold concrete had taken it’s toll. I was exhausted, mentally and emotionally drained…everyone was.

Then the word gets out…a few artists saw Stephenie Meyer in the show earlier with her entourage looking at artwork. She’s a loyal, local client who buys a variety of art from several artists and supports this show. She clearly has a great eye for art – she purchased from some of my favorite friends in the business. So we all perk up knowing this could totally turn around the show. It’s like a shot of adrenaline. Then more word goes around again…this time its: “She bought 2 pieces, $40,000!”….oh wow…. I just knew if she came back, she’d see my paintings and be moved. We all love to hear this news, everyone wishes everyone else a good show.

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Brushed again!

Now we’re down to the last 48 hours of the show. I come back from a quick 30 minute lunch and see all my booth neighbors grinning & bubbling with happiness…like children! “She was here! You just missed her!” Stephenie Meyer had come back again, this time with some assistants from the show. She picked up a unique collection well over $100,000 on a dozen pieces of art! The art purchased was all varied, modern art, contemporary art, some traditional, even abstract art…these artists have beautiful work, very good friends of mine. My show mate Mac sold a nice landscape to her, he’s less than 10 feet away. She bought from him the year before as well. There is so much art and distractions in the show. Even as an exhibitor, it takes the entire 10 weeks to really see it all, and I was there every day! I kept envisioning the moment where she walked down my aisle.  Each visit it appeared she was on a quick mission. No doubt she’s got a packed schedule and I’m sure she wanted some anonymity too. If she had only just glanced 60 degrees to the right, my gallery would’ve caught her eye with all those alive faces and colors staring back. As fate would have it, however, she looked to the left and walked on. She was now about 40 feet away in another booth, with her company. Talk about how sheer chance can make a huge difference in someone’s life! So what do we walk away with here? It wasn’t my day to be noticed by Ms. Meyer, that’s all. We still have to put ourselves out there every time without fail to have our turn, our day in the sun. And once is not enough, nor does it determine your destiny. 100 times is not enough. Opportunities do come again and again. Another time, a different mood, more time for leisure – could all change a future opportunity and meeting Ms. Meyer, the beloved Twilight Saga author. To be completely honest, it’s an honor to be in such a show with amazing artists and collectors coming through like that – couldn’t say that 5 years ago. As for my story, I did end up selling well and at the oddest times, of course! Met many gracious admirers and collectors on days I didn’t see it coming! My best day was in week 10.