Several years ago I commented to Ron Hicks about a painting of his that I loved.  The painting depicted an old bicycle on a quaint village street in Europe.  He graciously thanked me and then proceeded to tell me the story behind the painting.  He said that he was painting this scene from life and while he was partway through the painting, a lady got on the bike and rode away.  Fortunately, he had gotten enough information to complete the painting.  I know that I have forgotten many of the details of the story, but I remember that I thoroughly enjoyed hearing him share it at the time.   

I learned a great lesson from him that day about sharing my own story with others.  People enjoy art more when they connect with it on more than one level.  Although I loved the painting before hearing the story, I loved it even more afterwards.  I suddenly became involved or engaged.  I could imagine being there and watching the subject being ridden away.  I could imagine his frustration.  I'm sure he wanted to chase her down and ask her to leave her bike there.  In my mind, I became a spectator.   Because of his story, I connected with the art and artist on a new level.  

Later that evening, I overheard him speaking with someone else about another painting.  He had a fascinating story for that painting as well.  Another great lesson learned:  every work of art has a story.  Share that story with others.   

Your collectors will be more endeared to your work when you share your stories with them.    

This principle was reinforced to me early in my career.  I had a large painting of a grove of aspens entitled Catherine's Playground.  Some collectors were considering the piece.  They loved it, but weren't quite sure if they should buy it or not.  They asked me about the title, so my wife and I told them the story.   

The painting was named for the daughter of our dear, dear friends.  Catherine was a curious 5 year old, whose inquisitiveness would often get her into trouble.  She wanted to learn about everything and so she would get into everything.   

We had our friends over for dinner and games one evening.  Our children loved playing with their children.  All evening long they were running around doing what young kids do while we adults visited in the kitchen.   

After our friends left, my wife noticed something yellow on the sink faucet.  Later she found more yellow on the door handle, the carpet, the wall, and many other places.  Someone (we later learned that it was Catherine) had touched my most recent wet painting and tried to clean the paint off her fingers by wiping it everywhere.  I examined the painting and found finger prints which swirled around and around and darted here and there.  My wife was quite upset, but I just took a rag with clean mineral spirits and began to clean the paint from around the house (yes, it all came clean).   

The next morning our friends called.  They were nervous and apologetic, offering to pay "$20 a month for the rest of their lives" to pay off the painting that their daughter ruined.  I assured them that it was no big deal.  I paint impressionistically enough that the areas she touched didn't hurt the painting.  I was able to easily hide the finger prints.  I actually left many of the less noticeable finger prints as they were.  They added character to the painting. 

After my wife and I finished telling the story to the collectors, they had to have the painting.  They had made a connection with the painting that went far beyond the subject.  The artwork originally meant something to them.  They loved it.  It spoke to them.  But the story magnified the meaning.  Suddenly, the painting meant much more.  They may have bought the painting anyways.  But having heard the story, they purchased much more than just the painting.  They purchased the story.  They purchased a connection with a curious 5 year old girl.   

Every work of art has a story.  Not all stories are comical like these two.  Some are more serious.  Some are profound. Some are simple.  But all stories add meaning to the dialogue.  The stories enrich and deepen the connections made.   Share your stories.   Allow your collectors the opportunity to connect with your artwork. 

Sincerely,

Keith Bond