Sometimes the extra bonus goodness I get to experience from this crazy job I have is just too much, I really am constantly blessed in spite of myself!
Art Licensing can create a very distant and removed lifestyle for artists. Most of us who do this work alone in our studios, often quite isolated from the real world. On one hand, that's something I enjoy about it - I tend to be happy with what may seem to most folks like an unnatural volume of peace, quiet, and privacy. On the other hand, we are so far removed from the end consumer that it's difficult sometimes to grasp the big picture - departments and focus groups and agencies and committees, manufacturers and distributors and sales reps and retailers; the list of entities separating a licensing artist from the person who buys and lives with our products is pretty vast. But that's just how the machine works; I could never make and sell my stuff like they do.
You don't go into this field expecting to make friends or share warm fuzzy moments. But it happens. The mentors, muses, and dear friends I've been blessed with make my life full and happy.
One such unexpected friendship began a couple months ago. A nice woman in Kentucky wanted to make a rag-quilt for a Christmas present for her grandson who loves camping. She was searching the web for flannel with squirrels on it (!) and stumbled on my Etsy shop where I still had yardage from my At The Lake collection. Who knew I was about to make a friend?
We chatted online, one thing led to another, and when she had finished that one, made 2 others with more of my flannel - then offered to make me one for me. I almost tear up just telling you about this (talk amongst yourselves) how sweet and generous is that?!
It arrived when I was in Atlanta attending AmericasMart last month. I could hardly wait to open the package, but I didn't share it with you right away because as you can see, the blanket and I had some very important work to catch up with that first day home.
If you don't believe that this holds a prominent and beloved place in our household, take a closer look at all the pet hairs that have embedded, literally woven themselves into the fabric. Curling up on the couch on chilly winter evenings here means there is at least one furry family member on top of you, usually two.
But in spite of the hairs, isn't that cool? I love it, and it fits perfectly into our decor and lifestyle!
And finally, this amazing gift:
The happy recipient of the original quilt drew me a picture (look at that awesome tent and camp fire - I love this!).
And like a true Southern Gentleman, charmed me to death with sweet compliments.
New friends, and physical, tangible reminders right here to treasure; I have so much to be thankful for, to fill my heart and make me smile - next time you catch me being a grouch or curmudgeon, you have my permission to just slap me. I mean it.
This post was so wonderful! I adore the quilt. I can not find any hairs. I love the thank you card from the young man! so sweet!!!!!
Posted by: sue | February 16, 2012 at 06:53 PM
Oh, so very very true!! I sometimes wonder if I'm just weird because I am extra happy alone in my studio. The best days are the ones where no one calls, I have no where to go and I don't even comb my hair.
And the time flies! I paint and have to get dressed and out in the world to do shows and peddle my wares. I like that part, too. But good studio days are the best. Thanks for sharing, Beth.
Posted by: kathleen Taylor | February 17, 2012 at 03:49 PM
Oh my gosh, that note is too much! I'm big time grinning over that sequence of events. I too have had a few encounters with "strangers" who bought my stuff and it is such an awesome feeling to know that they spent their hard earned money on something that lil old us made in our studios---and they are not even related to us!
Posted by: Ronnie | February 17, 2012 at 07:28 PM
"...and they are not even related to us!" hahaha that's so true!!
Posted by: Beth L | February 18, 2012 at 11:06 AM