18 August 2010

The Price of Success . . .

Daybreak on the River:  SOLD!

Winding down for a few days away -- and not too soon, I may add.  As the old adage states:  be careful what you wish for.

Since June the Gallery has sold 7 of my paintings.  It took me 4 years to earn representation, with a growing sense of anxiety that these works I had labored over, thought and dreamt about would forever be stacked against the workroom wall.

And then a few are placed in a wonderful space and sell.  Oh joy, oh rapture!

Until you get the phone call, can you bring more?

They want more.  Quick, dash into the workroom and pull the next candidates, grab another one off the dining room wall.  Delivered.  Phew!  O.k., now I can go back to relaxing and enjoying the summer.

Another phone call -- more sold?  Bring more . . . ?   I glance around the walls of my house -- nothing.  Luckily, I have a few ready for varnishing . . . (oils take forever to dry in summer -- arghhh!).

Delivered.  Pour myself a glass (or two) of wine and put my feet up.  The phone rings -- don't answer that, I say to my husband.  He just laughs at me.

Now you know why I'm going away for a few days -- I'm hiding from the price of success.  But then again, I shouldn't jinx myself -- pride cometh before a fall, doesn't it  . . . ? 

Damn, you just can't win.  It must be that old catholic school training . . . guilt at success is like going straight to heaven, skipping over purgatory and dancing on the head of the devil.  Dangerous stuff, that.

Maybe I'll get used to this.  Maybe not.  Next time I wish upon a star, I will think carefully and refer to a lawyer regarding the proper phrasing. 

Care to share you stories of success, ambivalence and the accompanying guilt of not being thankful enough?  I'd be happy to post them --   :-)  

9 comments:

Caterina Giglio said...

Kelly, I adore that piece and if I had seen it I would have bought it too! gorgeous...

Bridget Hunter said...

I'm not at all surprised you've sold so many - wonderful news and lovely atmospheric paintings Well done!

Kim Hambric said...

Give them more! Give them more! Glad to hear of your success in selling your beautiful work.

Wish I had a good story for you. Hopefully one day soon.

Kelly M. said...

I must sound like a dolt but what can I say? Sitting in the hotel lobby -- just viewed the World Quitlt Festival in New Hampshire and am totally inspired by the beauty and hard work on display -- amazing and humbling! I should wipe out this blog entry -- my bad.

ruma said...

Hello, Kelly Marszycki.

I like often coming to your quiet art gallery.

The pictures seem to bring on the atmosphere. . .



Thank you for sharing space of this a great peace of mind.




From Japan.
Greetings.
ruma

layers said...

how wonderful you have gallery sales- don't fret if you can't keep up- paint when you want and paint when you can and take them good paintings which is much better than rushing and fretting and taking them not so good ones- don't you think?

Laura Frankstone said...

Congratulations on your successes! Your paintings are lovely, Kelly.

Kelly M. said...

Yes, Donna, you are right and that is my fear -- the price of success may force one to make do, to lower one's standard -- all in the rush of "producing" more and more . . .

Sweet Mess said...

I feel similarly when I experience lots of sales. I am grateful for it even when it makes me want to hide though. Congrats on getting to this place, your work is lovely!