The Value of A Painting

7/10/2016

    This painting is by my friend Maria Bennett Hock. She first came to my attention because of her portraits and I have followed her career for a few years now.
     She sent this painting to me as a gift . A random act of kindness as she calls it.
     I opened the package and was thrilled. Holding original art in your hands is a personal and transformative experience. The original work always looks better in real life and it breathes as you touch it. You can feel the person who brought life into this illusion.
    So how does this relate to value?

      Usually when I am talking about value I am talking about how light or dark a painting is. But the other meaning of the word value is in part economic and also about emotion.

    I have read books about behavior that say we humans love to get things for free but that we do not necessarily value them. I suppose this is true in laboratory studies, but art and friendship have a different value that is priceless.
     Receiving this painting is an experience I will never forget and now it is part of my permanent collection. It will influence me in the studio and become part of the art that is made here.
     Thank you Maria for your friendship and for this gift.

What I have learned so far?
Art heals!

4 Comments

Author

I am a watercolor artist, coach and author. You can contact me for lessons on and off line here.

Patience Tekulsky

7/11/2016 07:04:42 am

This is your best blog to date. You are really elegant in describing this lovely event. Keep it going.💝

Jo Mackenzie link

7/11/2016 10:35:08 am

Thank you.....I am finding art is not something you do but rather something you are part of in a bigger sense.

María P. Alvarez

7/11/2016 07:50:20 am

Hi, Jo!
It is a pleasure to follow your blog! I also have created a board of your work on my Pinterest account! Today, I was blown away by what you shared. My sister-in-law, and a couple of friends of mine are artists, and I have been privileged to receive some of their art works as gifts. So, I know that feeling you speak of - that priceless experience.
I wanted to ask you if it would be okay if I pin your friend's artwork to my board, "ART ~ Beautiful".

7/11/2016 10:35:52 am

I am so happy to hear this and yes of course you may share it with other. Spread the word! More later..Jo

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What I have Learned so far