Farmers Market, Harvest Moon, Thomas and Trains

Yesterday’s farmers market was combined with Ogden’s Harvest Moon Celebration.  It was the last of the market season for me.  The day was really great.  Warm but not hot and the light has changed into a muted sparkle that only happens in the autumn.  The day was a prefect end to the season.  I was able to sell eight paintings of various sizes and as always I met some great people.  I wish I could give an account of each experience and each conversation I have with the people that come into my booth.  Art does something to people.  It makes them open up and share in ways that they might not otherwise do.  I love when people walk into my booth, look around for a moment and comment on how happy the art makes them feel.  I think it’s the color.  The human soul craves colors.   I love when people are able to make personal connections with my art. 

 

 

A few weeks ago a woman came to my booth and told me of her experience with my art. She said she bought one of my paintings at the market the year before.  The painting had silhouettes of two birds on a branch, surrounded by lots of blues and turquoise.  She said when she purchased the painting she was single.  She decided to get the two birds anyway.  She hung the painting in her room and looked at it everyday.  She came to find me this year and told me that she now has the most amazing boyfriend.  She wanted me to know that she feels like my painting helped her be brave and now the picture will always have a lot of significance to her.  Her story filled me with so much happiness.  People need art in their lives.

While I was in my booth I worked on a painting.  I didn’t get much done as I was usually busy visiting with people.  But it was fun to be outside and paint in the autumn light.

I also made some good contacts and a possible project is on the horizon.  There will be more about that later. 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  I have incredible parents.  I wouldn’t be able to do the market without them.  They have given many of their Saturdays to help me and they work hard.  I don’t know how I am so lucky but I hit the jackpot when I landed them as parents. 

I had some visits from friends.  A few friends from work came by and my best friend Michelle with her husband Kevin and adorable little Thomas.  They came at the tail end of the market so after my booth was cleaned up I was able to go with them to explore the rest of the festival.  Harvest Moon feels a little like a scene from a movie.  I love how people are out, laughing, having a good time and so many things going on at once.  There was fashion shows, live bands, all kinds of activities for kids and tons of food vendors. 

We made our way through the party and found ourselves at the Union Station, an old train station, that is now a museum and event center.  Michelle’s little boy Thomas is so in love with trains.  He goes nuts for them.  We had a fun time letting him be in absolute awe over the big engines. 

I really love spending time with Michelle and her family.  I’ve never seen a child like Thomas.  Many children are fascinated by my unique look and tiny size but he like loves me for real!  I never have to take his hand, he always places his hand in mine like it’s the most natural thing.  It’s not enough for his parents to explore the trains with him or for me to get up close.  He tugs on my hand till I get out of my wheelchair and climb onto the trains with him.  When we were leaving the station he was not content walking beside me holding hands or even riding on my lap.  Again he pulled me out of my chair and it was obvious he wanted me to walk beside him.  So we did.  Michelle with her very long legs climbs into my wheelchair and drives it.  Otherwise it would have been left at the station.  It was hilarious and we got some fantastic looks from people as we made our way back to the Harvest Celebration.  There is nothing as awesome as feeling the love of a child.  It might be the purest form of love to be found on this earth.