Art in Heaven

Today has been one of remembering. I believe it has been brought on because a song keeps popping in my head and won't go away. "Yesterday"! I came across this story I had written just before my husband was diagnosed with the deadly brain tumor. We would sit and talk for hours and then he suggested I write the story of my art in Heaven.
Here it is, enjoy!

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When artists are gathered at a show, they tend to brag on the amount of art they have sold and where their art is around the world. I had only been attending shows for two years and my bragging rights were mainly the eastern half of the United States, no grand foreign countries. My shows were limited to the enclosed mall in a tourist area of the Outer Banks of North Carolina, where about six shows a year were scheduled.

I soon got over being shy and would remember people that had admired and possibly bought a piece of my art. There were a couple artists that took me under their wings and would help me, especially in pricing, and encouraging me every step of the way to be successful.

I had recently raised my prices, as suggested, when this priest that often walked through the mall to check out the work the artists had on display stopped at my booth and said, "I would like to buy one of your lighthouse etchings before you get to famous and I can't afford one."

Naturally I was so happy with a successful weekend.

About a year passed and I noticed the priest once again looking at my art. I wanted him to know that I had appreciated his patronage and that I recognized him. I shyly asked if he was enjoying the light house etching, and he replied, "Oh that wasn't for me, that was for my boss."

My mouth dropped open as I gazed towards Heaven. After several seconds, my husband realized I was in shock and gently poked me in the ribs to bring me back down to earth. He whispered to me, "I don't think he means that high up."

My face turned red as the priest smiled, winked and walked on. My husband lets my imagination run and lets me have my delusion that I have a piece of art in Heaven by saying, "Just be glad you didn't have to pay the freight."

Delusions

In my bio for Yessy, I stated that I would reveal later, why I thought I had a painting in Heaven. True confession time.


Just shortly after I had started going to art and craft shows, I was told by several people my prices were to low. So I raised them. A priest that often walked through the mall had always taken the time to stop and see what was new. He noticed that my prices had gone up and so he told me,"Before you become famous, and I can't afford your prices, I will take the etching of the 5 most recognized light houses of North Carolina."


A couple years passed and I happened to recognize the priest, once again checking out my art. I asked if he was enjoying the wood ectching. He replied, "Oh I didn't buy it for myself, I bought the painting for my boss." I stood there with my mouth hanging wide open, and gazing upwards toward heaven. About that time I felt a punch in my ribs, and a voice behind me said, "I don't think he means that high up." Needless to say my face turned bright red, and the priest smiled and winked as if to say, "I'm going to make you wonder."


I am still holding on to my first thoughts. Of coarse my husband helps my vision by saying, "Just be glad you didn't have to pay the freight."


Authored by:

Sylvia Outlaw