Making an exhibition of myself
The evening arrived: the preview of my exhibition in the French village of Montreal.
English tea and scones were served, the pictures were gazed upon, thanks were given – ‘You all live in a beautiful area which I will love even more if you buy some pictures’ – then music was played, the pictures were studied with greater intent, the wine flowed, food was consumed… and then someone bought a picture. About time. Ok, it was only a small mounted image but it was 25 Euros in the pocket. Then there was a flurry of excitement on the gallery floor as my daughter Helena scurried over to me and asked where I kept my sheet of red dots. I had sold a framed picture – 95 Euros pocketed. At the end of the evening, another guest had promised to return a few days later and another small mounted picture was bought.
This morning sees the start of Montreal’s Artists Weekend. I am rather nervous. 60 invited guests came last night and four pictures were sold. That’s one picture for every 15 visitors. Will I even get 15 through the doors or might it be 150? After all, this is a popular event where residents from 10 neighbouring villages descend on Montreal. We shall see…