Little Things Sprout Wings and Fly Beyond our Wildest Dreams
The title “Pennies from Heaven” came to me as a way to describe an unusual season in my life. It has been a curious time of struggle seasoned with many surprises, actually blessings that extended well beyond any expectations that I held for each situation. In the midst of my ongoing trials with health-related issues, the pennies just keep coming in a serendipitous and joyful way, where the ordinary becomes the extraordinary. Things have happened and continue to happen that exceed well beyond my wildest dreams. And I just have to write it down and share it with others. Read on, you be the judge. My hope is that somehow, these happenstances, though a bit quirky and fun will bring you inspiration, a sense of joy and hope in whatever circumstances you are in. You never know that some pennies from heaven may fall down on you as well. They may be falling around you now and yet you are not noticing them. So, keep your eyes open. Be willing to say ‘Yes” when they come. You may be surprised by the outcome.Begin the journey with Part One of the Story:
The Tale of Two Art Shows
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| Fields of Gold - crop |
The story actually begins in early May 2016, when I received a call from a dear person named Penny (perhaps her name played into the title for this series). She called to invite me to be a featured guest artist in the Salon at Art du Jour Gallery for June and July. The call came a few days after I got this terrible headache. I rarely get headaches and was quite concerned, especially because of the severity of the pain. Certainly, the headache would be gone by the time I would need to set up my work at the end of May… or so I thought. Often the pain interferes with my thinking. When the day came to set up, my husband helped me load up the car with over 25 framed paintings, plus prints, unframed paintings and cards. Initially, I could not figure out how to hang them. Penny and other gallery members were there and were very patient with me. Then they prayed and the inspiration came immediately to my mind how to do it. Afterward the show hung quickly and came out very nice. Doing the show, and the two receptions was a great experience and just what I needed at the time to get out and be with people. Very nice, a true blessing in and of itself, but it was yet to sprout wings.
Little did I know, that during my show, Penny was inspired by my work. She was a watercolor artist at the time, painting beautiful, subtle pieces.
One year later Penny invited me to a reception for her Featured Artist Show. With the inspiration from my work, she quit the gallery to study Old Master style landscape oil painting. In her own words, Penny says:
“In June 2016 I met Sheri Dinardi who was hanging as a guest artist in the Salon at Art DuJour Gallery. I was so impressed with her beautiful oil paintings that I was determined to master oils. I became obsessed. I began devouring books on oil painting techniques and studying artists whose style I wanted to emulate. I now paint exclusively in oils... My only regret is that I don’t have another lifetime to dedicate to my new love of oil painting.”
What a surprise to discover that Penny's inspiration for her new adventure into oil painting came from me. I was amazed at each of the 28 beautiful paintings she had created. Each work is lovely and tastefully framed in ornate gold, perfect for her landscapes painted in the Old Masters style. Here is what the gallery said of Penny:
“Art du Jour Gallery is honored to present in our Salon an exhibit of never-before-seen masterworks in oils by Penny Simmons. Visitors to our gallery during recent years will recall the breathtaking watercolors Penny exhibited as an Art du Jour member Now, after a year’s hiatus, she has consented to display for the first time the truly awe-inspiring new artwork she has been doing as an oil painter in the tradition of the Old Masters...
That Penny could take up a new medium and transform herself in a year’s time from a consummate watercolor artist into a fine oil painter, on her own, is a testament to her intense passion, tenacity and intelligence, the compelling drivers that animate her prodigious talent. She has painted in watercolor for nearly 25 years and has studied with luminaries in the world of watercolor art, but as an oil painter, Penny is completely self-taught. She devours books on the Old Masters to study their styles and techniques, visits museums and galleries to view their work first-hand, and then she paints and paints and paints.”
In both Penny’s statement and Art du Jour’s article lie the secrets of growing in your artwork… Passion, determination coupled with a work ethic to dive in and study the great works you admire and then paint, paint and paint more!!! It’s a great lesson and inspiration for each of us as artists in our quest to continually grow. I am honored to have been but a tiny spark that ignited a passionate fire in her soul! And what a gift this has been to me during one of the most trying seasons of my life… that my work could in a small way inspire such beauty in Penny. She is now inspiring me to dig in, study and paint, paint, paint and continue in my life long journey to grow as a fine artist.
My take away from these two shows… two words Inspiration and Passion
But that’s not all, stayed tuned for more Little Things Sprout Wings and Fly Beyond our Wildest Dreams.
PS
As I get ready to post this post, Penny, just sent an email to me today. I haven't heard from her for over a year and a half. Funny how things happen. I will reply and ask her to send me an image from her show.
