Surprise phone call

My phone rang yesterday while I was watching a friend take a riding lesson. It was quite sunny, so I couldn’t see the display and therefore couldn’t decide whether it was someone I knew or not (how shameful to admit I screen calls–doesn’t everyone?). So I answered it, and it turned out to be a very nice, very apologetic lady from the Missouri Humane Society. I had written them last October offering to do one of my portrait donations for their Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, which I have supported for many years. Somehow, the letter got stuffed in the desk of an apparently not-so-diligent employee, and when that person left and they cleaned out the desk they found my letter. Of course the offer was still open, and I received an email from their promotions department which said they have an event in mind that would work for a portrait. We’ll see how this one goes–I hope they send me a really cute photo to paint.

In the meantime, I’m mentally rehearsing what I can possibly say to shoppers in the upscale neighborhood where Ma Nature’s Harlequin is displayed when I greet them at the “Meet the Artist” event this weekend. I’m sure they’re going to be much more interested in shopping for shoes (the painting hangs in a shoe store window) than in even considering an art purchase, but the whole point is to get my name and face out there. So I’m going put on my best “Welcome to The Bootery” act and see what happens. It’s a large store and there is another artist’s painting displayed in a different window, so if that artist is also participating in the meet and greet maybe we can work together to get some buzz going.