Alongside my art being up in an exhibition this month, I had a pretty fun experience having my artwork purchased by a long-time friend of our family.
We met her a few years ago at a mutual friend’s annual barbecue. We got talking about a whole swathe of things and eventually the topic landed on my art. We talked about it for a while and I showed her my website on my phone. I ran through a few art pieces I was proud of at the time, and talked passionately about my craft with her for ages. She asked me if I was selling my art.
Taken aback, as I’d never really encountered that question before, I told her that I was thinking about it but I wasn’t at the moment. She commented how that was a shame, since she was really interested, and asked me if I had any social media for my art, so she could buy one when I got prints sorted. I told her I did, and pointed her to my Instagram and Facebook accounts (I could use all the follows and comments I can get).
She followed me on the spot and told me she was looking forward to seeing more of my art. Flustered, I thanked her and nearly bolted to excitedly tell mum of the amazingly enthusiastic woman I’d just met. True to what she said, she showed my art immense love as time went on, still eagerly reminding me that, “One day I will have a Cerys Bailey Art hanging on my wall”, which is something she actually said little over a year ago now.
As the years have gone by, many things have got in the way (including my own physical and mental health – grrr), and I stopped prioritising my art. I lost focus, motivation and confidence, and almost resigned myself to never getting prints sorted out.
By chance one day, I was on my Facebook page that hadn’t been updated for months. I didn’t like the header that was on my page as the art was incredibly out of date; so I changed it (forgetting that people get notified when you do that). I was soon greeted by likes I didn’t expect, and a comment.
The comment was from the same lovely lady, asking me if there was any way to buy my artwork yet. I nervously replied that I was sorting it out, but that I would message her directly. My mum encouraged me to arrange it with her, suggesting I use the experience as a learning opportunity (like I did with another friend/customer a few years ago), and a way to build up some confidence. So I did.
In about a week and a half (give or take), she paid for her artwork and I was handing it over to her. It all felt incredibly surreal. I didn’t understand what she saw in my art all those years ago, and how it could have persisted all these years but here we are. With my artwork, proudly sat in her home. Just like she’s always asked for.
Thank you Sonjia, for always showing interest in my art, it has really inspired me. You are one of the main reasons that my art shop is finally getting the attention it deserves.
Cerys, out!