Thursday night, my husband and I went to the Artists Preview party for the 2009 5×7 show at the Arthouse. It is always so much fun to see the huge collection of fabulous little paintings and other creations in a 5″x7″ format — and to run into so many of my art friends!
I was most surprised and thrilled to see that my two little paintings got a primo spot in the exhibition! On the main wall, under the writing, top shelf. They looked so good there!
I wasn’t able to get any pictures Thursday night, so I went back last night to the big event — the Art Splurge and Exhibition, or opening to the public during which the paintings first become available for sale. I made some new art friends, and the three of us were photographed by — well, I don’t know who by! He asked for our names, but I forgot to ask for his. So, if you see my picture in the paper somewhere, give me a holler.
I took plenty of pictures myself, which you can see (in random order) by clicking on the little thumbnails at the bottom of this page.
The party started at 7:30 when people begin to scout out the paintings they want to buy. Each painting sells for $100, and the money goes to the Arthouse. For donating work, the artist gets a year membership to the Arthouse and some discounts, plus some exposure at the show and on the website.
Then at 9:00, there’s a countdown, and when the horn blows, people start grabbing tags off the paintings they want to buy. I was talking to some new friends a couple of rooms away when the countdown began, so I excused myself and made tracks to the area where my work was, out of morbid curiosity. OMG! My work sold in the 1st second! I can’t tell you good that feels! Thank you to the folks who purchased my paintings; I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed making them! You’ve made me very happy.
I wasn’t going to buy any paintings myself, partly because I have little available wall space, less money, and the choices are so daunting. But I was so happy, and I noticed that one of the pieces I fell in love with was still available, so I too bought a new painting. See the little yellow painting below on the left by Josh Bernstein of Houston.
What a night! What goes around, comes around, and at least for this one night, the economy for the arts in Austin got a little boost. 🙂
Congratulations on your sale AND your purchase, Marilyn! I know they probably made you equally happy. How fun to have a new piece to wake up to.
Thanks, Alyson! I get to pick it up in early June; I'm looking forward to it!