There was music, games, laughter, hors d'oeuvres (and pleanty of spirits flowing, though i did not have a drop). There was the sunset over the harbor and the starry city lights which replaced it.
I got to meet a lot of good people, like the owners of an art gallery close to where i live, and my friend Pete's sister (we bonded over knitting), and these wonderful women from Puerto Rico. However, I was not prepared to meet some of the more important people attending the festivities that evening. As I spent some time at a Texas Hold'em table (and it took some time before I knew what I was doing) I got to know some of my fellow players and observed how they seemed to communicate in insults. I was very uncomfortable for a while, expecting tension to build, but then I realized that they would laugh and throw insults back and forth like some fun game! I just didn't get it.
Also, since my artwork was up for display and one of the gifts to be given to the first prize winner, throughout the evening I was constantly approached and asked things relating to the fact that I'm an artist, and then followed up with advice. Such things as, "Have you heard of So-and-So? You should really look him up." "Do you have a website? You really need a website." "Why are you in Seattle? San Francisco is where it's at." "Have you seen Such-and-Such's work? I would think you'd have heard of it."
And then, a moment I wish I had back, next to me at the table was a youngish man, playing very aggressively and unsportsmanlike. He had a sugar momma who kept coming around to give him more chips so he could keep upping the anty and forcing the rest of us out of money to play with. Durring a break as he was counting up his stash he was bragging that he was in it to win the first place prize- until he actually looked at the prize list. Then he announced that actually, he'd be happy to accept the second place because, "the first place only has all this art-shit!"
I must have sat there for a full minute debating whether or not to say something to embarrass him. I knew he deserved it, but I couldn't bring myself to say something- I think I was in a state of shock. So I left the table.
It was just about wrap up time when the awards were given out. I was eager to see who my artwork would go to. Luckily, the annoying and greedy man who didn't appreciate art didn't even place. Also, one of the nice Puerto Rican women won first prize! I was very happy, not only for her, but now I can claim I'm international! And then- since there was interest in the audience for my work, it was agreed upon by all parties that my work be auctioned off to raise more money, in exchange for this I promised to make another to send to the winner.
And so my two little assemblages went for $570! I couldn't believe it. I also couldn't believe that it went to the sugar momma of that one asshole! I'm not sure she even wanted it cause the auctioneer was picking on her until she bid and then no one else would outbid her despite her efforts to inspire them.
Before leaving this rich young lady comes up to me to chat and thank me for my work. She asked me if I had a website, and that I really should have a website. I wanted to explain how I was just getting my feet on the ground and that I was working on getting one soon, but somehow it didn't come out that way. Maybe I was tired, maybe scared, maybe fed up with all the insults and posturing but it came out as, "I've been out of a home for some time,"
I wish I could describe the look on her. A mixture of disgust, delight, and surprise were fighting with her desire to keep a strait face. The conversation quickly fizzled out.
So that is what I don't like about being an artist- seeing my art go to a home where it will not be appreciated, or worse, likely thrown in the trash.
Fortunately there was a happy ending. I wound up driving the organizers of the charity back to their hotel. They were wonderful folk, and I'm glad I could help them raise money for their cause.
Check it out here:
http://www.thepositiveproject.org/
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