One cool Art story

[TomInTib]

Mods, can you let this ride? This is one cool anecdote.


This week we held the first Tiburon Art Festival.

www.tiburonartfestival.com

I was co-chair and it was a raging success.

This was a small, juried (Kenneth Baker and Dr. Lynn Orr, Curator-in-charge of European Paintings, Museums of Fine Art, San Francisco)event. These were definitely not street artists (nothing wrong with street artists, just a clarification). Pound-for-pund, our Art kicks any other outdoor event's butt.

Early on, I was contacted by an artist's father who wanted to know if he could apply for his son (who is 24) without his son's written permission. Although I thought it odd, I told him to go on ahead. The dad said he just wanted the judges to see his son's work for he believed that the kid had real potential and wanted to get his name out there. If only I had a dollar for every time...

Well, this guy has been in constant contact with me since may. But he is such a good, earnest soul that I really didn't mind. As it turns out, Dad is a cable installer in Oakland.

And he has no money.

The Kid's art shows up at the jury event (the jury requested fully realized (finished) pieces. And the Kid's art was stunning, a black on white study of a man's face wearing a cowboy hat. Titled "The Grape Picker", it blew us all away.

Absolute elation and dejection on Dad's part. As I said, he has no money.

So I ponied up. The Kid just had to be in my Show.

And we stayed in almost daily contact for Dad really wanted to get this right. Support his son and all that.

We announced our Artist's Reception, which was held at the San Francisco Yacht Club last Wednesday.

The first call I got after the announcement was from dear old Dad. He just could not believe what we were doing for the Artists and asked if he could accompany the Kid.

They showed up at the gallery about 4 o'clock on the day of the event. Dad is the Salt of the Earth and the Kid was as serious as a heart attack.

Dad and I go out and sit on a bench while the Kid was looking through the Gallery.

Dada starts telling me how our event has changed their lives. Says he and the Kid have not had a civil conversation since the Kid was six years old (eighteen years), but this thing had brought them together - Father and Son, Friends.

I cannot tell you how touching that was for me.

At the event that evening, the Kid comes over to me and thanks me for re-introducing him to his best friend. Real earnest and all. I almost started to cry. As I said, the Kid is deadly serious.

The Festival was this past Saturday and Sunday and the Kid did great. Toward the end of the Show yesterday, Dad comes up and asks ne for some advice (for the brazillionth time). Said a guy from San Francisco wanted to see one of the Kid's really big pieces in his house in the City so he could make a decision on it. Dad was wondering if that was the right thing to do. I asked him if maybe he had gone crazy over the weekend and told him to get right on it.

The Kid comes over and hands me "The Grape Picker". I was astounded.

My phone rang around eleven o'clock last night and it was Dad.

Told me they had gone to the Guy's house. Said he knew houses like that existed, but he had never been inside of one. Once inside, the Dad said the place looked like a museum.

So the Guy in the house takes this great big painting, places it against a wall and starts walking around and looking at it. Tells them he will take it.

Calls in his handyman (who evidently lives on-site) and has him hang it next to a de Kooning.

Pays the Kid four times what he asked.

They get home and the Kid checks his email. And there is one from the Guy.

The email said there was another check going in the mail today. The Guy said the Kid should offer no resistance to the check and should not expect any explanation.

The email said the Kid should report on tuition expenses to the Art Institute and the Kid's expected living expenses. All would be taken care of.

And one story ends and another begins.

Good luck, Kid.

[Heidi]

1. Thank you, Tom, for your part in this.

Recommended.

:kick:

P.S. Good luck, Kid!

[mahina]

4. I'm in the arts too, and that is one wonderful story.

I saw the piece in the site. Thank you for sharing this ray of light.
ps proud to be rec number 5

[calimary]

68. A truly wonderful story! Thanks so much for sharing,Tom!

You are a bright light, and you changed several people's lives for the better (including the art patron)!

Yep, there ARE guardian angels out there!

[TomInTib]

72. Oh, the pleasure is mine, calimary....

I am gliding...

sideways

[Swamp Rat]

2. k&r

Beautiful!

[Suich]

3. What a neat story!

And you helped make it happen!!!

:yourock:

[JeffR]

5. Simply freakin' beautiful

Thanks, Tom.

[NanceGreggs]

6. One Cool Art Story ...

... told by One Cool Guy.

Just told the SO to read this thread - handed him a kleenex - said, "You'll need this."


Beautiful tale - thanks, TinT, for being part of what made it happen.

[TomInTib]

32. I worked my ass off for a year on this.

Pissed off just about everyone because I refused to compromise or go for anything other than the highest level of display, music, and Art.

We absolutely kicked butt.

[NanceGreggs]

34. You did good, Tom ..

... but then, I'd never expect anything less from you.

[Heidi]

7. Kick for the morning crew. (nt)

[lazyriver]

8. Very cool. I'd say just based on that alone,

the first Tiburon Art Festival was a monumental success. Excellent work.

[Stinky The Clown]

9. There are cool stories and then there's THIS story ...... wow. Just wow.

Not a bad guy in the whole story. Just protagonists and bystanders

I think that Dad is one hell of a guy.

[TomInTib]

33. He is something else.

We were crying on the phone late last night.

[ljm2002]

10. What a wonderful story!

Good on you, and good on the kid's dad!

[librechik]

11. wow--what a wonderful story

I was an art critic myself for a few years, and nothing quite that nice ever happened to me during (or after) Like a fairy tale!

You are a lucky man, Tom!

(Maybe not quite as lucky as the young artist. You never know!)

I always get a kick out of your posts. Keep em coming!


:loveya:

[TomInTib]

44. I am now on a mission.

This entire event has been a life-changing experience.

I only wish that everyone here could have been there.

[grace0418]

12. That's fantastic! It's so good to hear a story like this, especially since I am

an artist. Gives me hope for humanity.

[tblue37]

13. Thank you so much for telling this story. It made my day! n/t

[Wiley50]

14. I thought stuff like this only happens in the movies

Cool story, Tom

[progressoid]

15. Wow.

Just Wow.

[myrna minx]

16. Wow. This story gave me goosebumps.

Thank you so much for sharing. K&R.

[Heidi]

19. myrna, I'm swooning at your sigpic of Jim and Tom.

I'm a huge fan of Jim Jarmusch! And on that note, I think I'll re-watch "Down By Law" tonight. Or "Coffee and Cigarettes" . . . or . . . :hi:

[myrna minx]

25. One day I received a breathless message from my friend

who was shopping at the Manhattan Kmart. He whispered that he was watching Jim Jarmusch, in line, purchasing some black pants. :rofl: The message was hilarious. It was like he was doing the voiceover for a wildlife documentary, witnessing someone outside of their habitat. :hi:

Perhaps these will help you with your viewing choice:

[graywarrior]

17. That totally made my day.

[TomInTib]

77. Made my year, graywarrior.

We don't get that many chances.

Made my year...

[ClayZ]

18. What a great story...

After watching the eclipse this morning and now, reading your post, perhaps the world has changed!

Thank you!

K and R

[leftchick]

20. that made my week!

Thank you! Any photos of his work?

[bleever]

21. Thank you so much

for sharing that, let alone making it happen.

:yourock:

[Uncle Joe]

Deleted duplicate post. n/t

[Uncle Joe]

22. This is most inspiring.

Thanks for sharing TomInTib.

[snappyturtle]

23. simply beautiful. k&r n/t

[Gregorian]

24. Damn.

That just stuns me. I have to fight back tears.

A story of the haves and the have-nots coming together. For whatever reason. Just one time.

Maybe the creation of a new life of hope.

I'd love to see the work. Ah, I found the gallery!

[bbgrunt]

26. a great story to restore hope in humans

[Emit]

27. Tom, my heart just stopped a beat

I was an Art and Psych dual major (painting) -- what a beautiful story... I'm speechless, really. Tx for sharing.

[truedelphi]

28. Somehow this doesn't surprise me. Your involvement

is something people around you pick up on, I'm sure.

BUt just because it's expected, doesn't mean I am not applauding you.

Apllause s well for the Tiburon art crowd, The Dad, the Artist son, and the guy in the mansion.

[shireen]

29. thanks, TomInTib

I really needed to hear that. Almost every day, my heart breaks about something I've heard. This one lifts my spirits. It's amazing.

[knitter4democracy]

30. That needs to hit the media.

What an amazing story! Great talent should always be supported, and what a dad, huh? That's awesome!

Maybe one of the arts magazines would like to do a story?

[loudsue]

40. I agree....that would make a GREAT human interest piece.

:kick: for a great story!

:kick:

[TomInTib]

43. Oh, it will.

We are in no hurry, however.

[mzmolly]

31. That is such a lovely story Tom.

:cry: Thanks for being such a bright light in these "darkish" times.

[lonestarnot]

35. TomInTib

My HERO! You are fantastic! :hug: So fucking excellent!

[TomInTib]

37. I have never worked harder or more diligentl on anything in my life.

And this one thing made it all worthwhile.

The entire event was just phenominal.

We will be adding Artist Profiles and pics of the event in the next week or so.

[lonestarnot]

38. I will be watching for the pics. Excellent job!

:toast: to TomInTib

[loudsue]

41. You need to give us the name of this up & coming artist!

At some point, I'm sure his art will be in big demand!

:kick:

[midnight]

36. Such a beautiful story. Thanks for helping create a wonderful

memory for this family.

[TomInTib]

47. And a wonderful memory for me.

I worked my ass off for eight months on this thing.

Lost twenty pounds and almost destroyed my home life.

And I would do it again tomorrow.

[Redstone]

39. I don't see why the Mods would mind this post; it's a helluva story, and

you done good, Hoss.

Redstone

[JDPriestly]

42. Thank you.

Talented children from poor families need help. You need to be able to live for some years on very little income to develop artistic (including musical) talent. You are an angel.


Children used to get at least some introduction to music and art in the schools, but those programs have been reduced to almost nothing nowadays. Thanks so much.

[SallyMander]

45. sniffle

what an awesome story --

:toast: to the Kid, and

:hug: to you!

[windbreeze]

46. Thanks for this story...we needed it, right about now....

Congratulations to the kid...and his dad...glad they found one another again...what a story....wb

[likesmountains 52]

48. Thank you for sharing..in more ways than one.

[stlsaxman]

49. i'm near weeping

beautiful, true story.

thank you.

[Bennyboy]

50. Wow. I have an artist son......

Who is just now getting some recognition. I tell ya Dad went through a lot for the kid. Good story made my day completley.

[robinlynne]

51. wow! amazingly beautiful story. It can be a wonderful world when people get it right.

[SmokingJacket]

52. That's just terrific.

The arts can really bring out the best in everyone. Thank you. :thumbsup:

[Triana]

53. THIS IS INCREDIBLE!

Ya did good TomInTib! And more AWESOME art for the world to see! Can't beat that with a stick. What a WONDERFUL happy ending!

[lonestarnot]

54. Kicking for most coolness!

[illinoisprogressive]

55. I've heard of these things but, never knew they actually do exist. A dream coming true.

[Beam Me Up]

56. Beautiful story. I'm a bay area painter.

So I can especially appreciate it.

What a wonderful thing you've done!

[DemoTex]

57. Thanks Tom ...

Support the ARTS: I did. I do. I will.

[TomInTib]

70. We will

[Emerald]

58. Thanks for the soul-warming story.

I am so happy for Dad. And, I am happy for you, TomInTib, because you played a major role in doing such a positive thing.

[mike6640]

59. Thank you so much

For sharing that awesome story. Truly uplifting and inspiring. I would only hope for that in a fairy tale.

Can you post an image of "The Grape Picker"?

[sofa king]

60. Awesome!

What a great story. I hope the lad shoots for the stars.

[HCE SuiGeneris]

61. Tears of joy streaming down my face.

A story well told, Tom. :toast:

[Patsy Stone]

62. Spectacular, Tom!

Good for you, and how wonderful for the family. That was an uplifting story to end the day, and I thank you.

[TomInTib]

71. The pleasure is mine, Patsy

and the story gets more interesting by the Day

[alfredo]

63. Great story

[LibDemAlways]

64. Totally inspiring story. Think of all the talent

out there that never gets recognized or appreciated because no one takes the time and energy to look out for it in unexpected places.

Thank you for making time to hear the dad out and take a chance on his son. You were the unsung hero of the tale. You could just as easily have shined them on, but you didn't. Congrats to all.

[wicket]

65. Ok, I'm bawling here

Bless you. :hug:

[TomInTib]

73. You know, I was actually thinking of you when all of this was unfolding..

As weird as it may seem..

I cannot remember what it was...

But you gave me support one long time, ago..

Tom

[wicket]

80. Wow

That is one of the nicest things anyone has said to me in a long long time. Thank-you so much! :hug: :loveya:

[Cetacea]

66. K & R

[RainDog]

67. thank you for posting this

in the world we deal with under the bush junta, such stories help to counter the despair of waking up to another day of travesty.

[LeahD]

69. Can't stop smiling about this. Thanks for sharing! n/t

[Tsiyu]

74. One person can make a big difference

As you did. Kudos :applause:

This evening some of us mountainfolk were looking at some paintings a friend of ours created. She just moved and we miss her terribly. The paintings just made it seem like she was there.

And one of the series was missing. Someone kind bought it.

This girl is such a phenomenal, gifted, productive painter. Your story gives me hope that she will find a benefactor in DC as generous as the bigwig in your wonderful story.

Another of our talented friends is opening a new gallery and she lit a fire under my booty this evening encouraging me to finish some paintings in time for the opening, though I am not half the talent these kids are.

Maybe some of the moneyed will start buying art in greater numbers and artists will eat.

What a world that would be. :P

[TomInTib]

75. "and artists will eat."

What a perfect world.

The singers and the poets and the dancers

and the painters will all gather 'round in a circle.

Singing songs and just painting lies.

And the rest of us all will stand beside them.

And see all the vision in their eyes.

[Tsiyu]

76. From your keyboard

to the noodly ears of the FSM, Tom :hug:

[Hekate]

78. Absolutely breathtaking! I had to read it twice...

...just to make sure I had not missed anything.

I will remember this story on days when it seems as though the world is filled with nothing but despair.

My gods, Tom, my gods.

Hekate

[TomInTib]

79. How wonderfully stated, Hekate...

For you have not "missed anything".

Keep your antennae up.

And keep your lamp trimmed and burning.

Tom

[wicket]

81. This needs a

:kick: