Portugal Dreams

When everything changes...

You can work weeks, months, or even years to make your dream come true. Of course, there are setbacks, frustrations, and a dozen small (but important) details to learn and address. You think, OMG, this is happening. But then, in a moment, everything changes.

Taking Off My Wedding Ring

Have I piqued your interest? Well, let me disclose another truth … after nearly 30 years, I took off my wedding ring. It was very difficult. I needed the help of another woman. Oddly enough, like Denise, she was a nurse.

You see, I was in Alvor HPA hospital at 21:00 on Friday. I had fallen and broken my wrist. My fingers were swelling. If we didn’t remove it quickly, it would need to be cut off. Fortunately, it is intact on my right hand as I type one-handed. Jeex…what I won’t do for my readers.

With Tave’s help, we started the show displaying 9 original paintings.

Not the Plan

After months of work … it seemed things were going as planned. Paintings completed- check. Paintings wrapped for transport - check. Artist statement written - check. Pricing - check. Display/wall layout - check. Wall signs - check. Paintings hung¹- check. Despite the rain and wind, there was a rush of people when the doors opened to the Art Expo Algarve at Fissul Pavilion in Silves. I stood nervously by my booth…I had worked dozens of trade shows throughout my sales career…but this was different. How long should I wait before I approach someone? What should I say? What if everyone just walks by?

Well, many did … but others stopped. “Are you the artist?” “Yes”. I said, “I am” … but on many days I am simply a woman alone trying to learn how to mix colors…how to compose a painting…how to apply ink, paint, and collage elements without any formal training. Yes, I paint. In fact, lately, that is how I spend most of my time. But am I an artist?

My first sales. (click on photo to see more) On the left an abstract landscape i call Farscape and on the right Storm.

On Friday, around 16:00, a lovely couple bought two abstract landscapes. I had included them, thinking they really didn’t fit with the other paintings. One I really loved and didn’t want to part with. But like a foster puppy, it went to a good home. When the show closed for the day, I decided to hang two backup paintings I had brought just in case something did sell. I just needed to move two screws…a simple task for a woman comfortable with power tools. Standing on a green plastic chair rather than a step stool was my mistake. I fell. Like every reacting human, I extended my hand. It hurt … a lot. I told those who rushed to help that I was fine. But I feared I was not. A very nice man from a nearby booth completed the task. I drove, not an easy task with one hand and a manual transmission, to the nearby B&B I had reserved. The innkeepers got me ice and helped me order a Bolt for the ride to the hospital.

The ER was nearly empty. Within 10 minutes, I saw the triage nurse and had the X-ray taken. The very kind ER doctor touched my shoulder softly and said, “Yes, it is broken. I have called the orthopedist. He needs to come from home. It will be a few minutes.” Within 45 minutes, they had given me meds for the pain and swelling, casted the wrist, and submitted the paperwork to the insurance company for the surgery I hope to have next week at Gambelas, a hospital nearer our home.

I called Denise…we made a plan. A friend would drive her to Silves in the morning.² She would bring Onix and spend the weekend helping me with the show. She would miss the golf tournament at our club … I am sorry about that.

Notice the two replacement paintings. On Saturday, I sold the long, thin one, bottom near the corner.

Also, Not the Plan

On Saturday morning, a man bought one of the backup paintings I had hung. It is called “I can’t recall the color of her eyes” and speaks to my fear of lost memories. So as I write this Sunday morning in bed, my left arm raised on a stack of pillows…Onix's little legs twitching as she dreams by my feet…and Denise purring³ by my side, I reflect on my first art show.

Friends had insisted that my simple, graphic, Algarve beach scenes would sell!⁴ So far, many nice comments…in some cases, long discussions… but nada. Instead, three paintings of differing styles have sold.⁵ I really don’t understand, but I am grateful.

I am Also Very Grateful

I want to thank the friends and subscribers who made the track from VRSA, Lagos, Tavira, Parede, Cascais, and Lisbon to show their support. I really appreciate everyone who braved pretty crappy weather to make the trip. You made three long days rush by.

Muito obrigada,

Nanc

PS On Sunday, the beach scene with the umbrella sold. If you are interested in any of the paintings shown, please contact me or go online at artloversalgarve.com.

1. With the incredible help of our friend Tave. Had he not joined me on Thursday afternoon, I would have still been there Friday morning.

2. Thank you, Veronica.

3. She does not snore.

4. I even had prints made for those who did not want to invest in the originals.

5. And the day before the show, I sold another portrait off the Art Lovers Algarve website. Thank you, Shelley.