About half an hour into the opening evening of my solo exhibit “West Coast Landscape as Home” the room had reached a pleasant hum. Classical guitar and flute players are keeping harmony with drifting conversations. Small hot savories appear swiftly from the kitchen and the wine is flowing with every bite of cheese. I looked up to see a friend coming in the door along with another woman and her children. I waved and made my way over to say hello. The woman introduced herself and I remembered that she was part of my friend’s family. After a few pleasantries, I left them to browse the twenty-two works and enjoy the show.

A little while later, this same woman came up to me and said that she had seen a painting of mine during the summer at the Farmers Market but she couldn’t find it. All she can remember is that it was called “Arbutus something…” At this point the room is full and moving around is not particularly free-flowing. So I reach around beside me and pull out the catalog for the show and go to the section where the arbutus tree paintings are displayed. Within the briefest of seconds she spotted “her” painting.

“This one! It is this one!” she proclaims, slightly flushed with excitement.

I point up above the musician and quietly confirmed, “There it is.”

ARBUTUS BY THE TRAIL 8 x 10 inch oil on canvas

We wiggled our way closer to have a better look and as we are standing in front of the painting she tells me the story about how she has saved up to purchase this piece.

She had fallen in love with the oil painting during the summer. Of course, she had wanted it right away but had no money for the purchase price of an original work. Bemoaning her fate later in the day, her sister-in-law, knowing one of her regular indulgences, suggested why not set up a latte fund? Every time that she wanted to have a latte she could put the money into a jar towards purchasing the painting. The woman’s young son who had taken keen interest in this idea insisted that she give it a try. He helped her get the jar set up when the got home. Then every once in a while he would remind her about the latte fund and the painting that she wanted.

For the next seven months latte dollars and eventually even dollars for other wants, like a cute top, were added to the fund. It added up quickly and by the time she came to the opening she had enough money to purchase the painting – and so she did! The painting will go to reside in Greater Vancouver at the end of the exhibit.

I share this story with permission from the new art collector of my work for your inspiration whether it is to purchase one of my original painting or some other purchase.

Also, sold on opening night was a painting for an eightieth birthday present. This work is one of a very few of the 60 paintings since 2010 now in private collections that has found a permanent home on Mayne Island.

WEST COAST EARLY EVENING WINTER SEA 16 x 20 inch oil on canvas

As well, another painting  from the studio sold the day before the opening and is now in Toronto, Ontario.

WINTER MORNING BY THE SEA 8 x 10 inch oil on canvas

But the latte dollars purchase story trumps the week for inspiration and tenacity.

In the previous post “West Coast Landscape as Home – solo exhibit of paintings by Terrill Welch” view all 22 works and links to purchase details that are currently showing at Camassia Cafe until the end of May 2015. Purchases can also be made online and there is a 30 day no-questions-asked return policy.

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