A powerful tale was told at my last show. Frankly, it surprised me. It reminded me of the importance of art and
the affect it can have on the human soul.
It reminded me why I pick up a brush.
About six months ago, maybe a year, I was commissioned to
render my vivacious ape brothers Jig and Jag upon two wonderful wooden doors
off an old zenith television cabinet. I
chose a nautical theme, the usual mischief included, capturing the monkeys in a
moment of tomfoolery. The piece is
called “Swab Jockeys.” (below)
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The patron and good friend of mine, we’ll call her Anne, had
bought a second house and it needed a good overhaul. She had hired a contractor to do major parts
of the work. Throughout the long
grueling process of renovation, Anne grew to despise the contractor for his rude
attitude, his unprofessional conduct and his inability to play well with
others. You know how that goes.
As the story was relayed, this contractor demanded a sum of
money from Anne that was unjust and unfair.
Anne told the contractor to wait in her house while she went to the
other room. To Anne’s surprise, “the twins” (as she calls Jig and Jag) had
caught him.
There the contractor stood in front of the painting. He began to cry.
Anne carefully approached.
He mentioned something to her about his past, possibly a broken
relationship with his brother. He was
moved by the relationship between Jig and Jag.
The contractor apologized to Anne for his behavior and he
waved the unfair, unjust sum of money.
Anne still didn’t like the guy, but she could no longer fully loathe
him.
There is nothing more rewarding to an artist to hear such
stories; to know that his or her work is reaching people on such a personal
level.
Thank you “Anne” for the tale. I was very much blessed by it.
