Monday, December 07, 2009

Thank you.


Max, Alison and I at my Button Factory art studio
Thank you to friends and family and the hundreds of visitors who stopped by my art studio this weekend at the Button Factory open studio event. It was a huge success. I had some genuine belly laughs and met a lot of really cool new people from all over the country. I met a guy who recognized a boat in one of my paintings as belonging to his neighbor..he called him and told him, and in a short time I was shaking hands with the owner of the boat..Turns out his father-in-law built him that boat by hand..after a brief phone call I was soon introduced to an 89 year old boat builder named Charles who had made that boat with his own hands...how cool is that?! He invited me to his boat building workshop where I definitely plan to go and observe and in all likely hood do a painting of this man working his craft. It was wonderful.
Fifteen paintings found new homes and I will likely start relationships with two art gallery owners who welcomed my work this weekend. Thanks to you all.

Charles B. Darcy the boat builder who hand crafted the pea pod boat in my painting titled Newcastle Dory #1 shown on the wall behind him.

14 comments:

April Jarocka said...

Beautiful photos Todd. Thanks for sharing those with us. Paintings are amazing. Well done with your success
All the best
April

Elizabeth A Patterson said...

Great story, Todd! Sounds like it was an unforgettable weekend. One of these days I'll make it down to one of these!

Todd Bonita said...

Liz and April,
I wish you both could have come...it's a very cool building..there were about 70 other artist in the building, some super talented folks. Thanks for the kind words.
Regards,
Todd

Bruce Sherman said...

Hi Todd!... My heartiest congratulations on the success of your show! Well deserved my friend!

Your boat builder meeting is proof again... that the Universe is indeed a mysterious and wonderful place... offering both surprises... and ...opportunity!

Back to the easel... and Good painting!

Bruce

Mike Corcoran said...

Awesome news!
Love the fact that your art spoke to 15 folks including the boat builders themselves. Great story. That's what it's all about right there! Sounds like 2009 is already looking good for you! Mike

Todd Bonita said...

Bruce,
Thank you, yeah, what a strange thing that was. I'm excited to see how the story continues with the boat builder. I'm thrilled to watch him work in his studio..really looking forward to that.

By the way, I was reading your blog and enjoyed your thoughts on painting outdoors in the winter. I was almost ready to grab my gear and hit the wild New England tundra until the wind almost sliced me in half..it was brutally cold today and reminded me that I may becoming a comfort wimp.
Would love to paint with you someday though...preferably in nicer weather.
All the best my friend,
Todd

Todd Bonita said...

Good to hear from you Mike.. I agree, that's definitely what it's all about. Great way to close out 2009..I'm feeling really good about 2010..I have some exciting art and personal events and goals planned...God-willing, it could be a great year.

m collier said...

Sounds like you had a great show -- CONGRATULATIONS!! Your work is so impressive. And to meet the boat builder – just doesn’t get any better than that.

Todd Bonita said...

M,

I wish you could have been there...thanks so much.
All the best,
Todd

Debra Keirce said...

Sounds like a fun and successful event. Congratulations!!

Todd Bonita said...

Hi Deb,

Thanks, it was a blast. I'm grateful to be lucky guy these days. All my best to you and to all those who wrote to say nice things.
Have a happy holiday.
All the best,
Todd

Mark Shasha said...

Congratulations on the show, Todd. As you already know, I think your paintings are great and I'm hoping to get my lazy self up to your neck of the woods soon to see them in person.
Cheers,
Mark Shasha

Todd Bonita said...

Mark,
Thanks my man. You and I are long overdo to get together and talk shop. You are welcome here anytime, just call or email, would love to get together.
Have a happy holiday my friend,
All the best,
Todd

Unknown said...

Congratulations on your show! Your work is amazing:-)