This oft-repeated expression could have come right from an art collector’s mouth ~

An artist and I stood talking about the 2023 Plein Air Week in Harford County, MD. He told me of a scene he painted of a local farm, which has been passed down from generation to generation. When asked, the farmer welcomed the artist on his property and told him to set up the easel wherever he wished. The farmer gave the artist high accolades when the painting was complete. The painter felt sure the farmer was going to say yes, he’d like to claim it as his. The farmer passed.

A few weeks later, the farmer’s next door neighbor (also a farmer) called the artist and inquired about the painting of his neighbors farm. The caller said he’d like to purchase it because his daughter is getting married and he wanted to give it as a wedding present. Evidently, there were many memories made between the two neighboring farms.

Needless to say, the artist was delighted and so was the farmer’s daughter who received the gift. 

This story was shared with me by an active member of the local Liriodendron Wednesday Artist’s Group. Indeed, local art of familiar places holds memories for the collector.