My unexpected visitor to my art gallery ....

[artistjillian]

I've been going to share this story for ages. I finally located the photos. In 1999, 2000 most of my life revolved around work, and visiting and caring for my declining mother in a nursing home, then coming home to an empty house. Anyone who has spent time in these circumstances will understand how miserable an existance. Not to dwell on that, but knew I had to do something. I found a vacant store just 100 yards from the beach, and turned it into a weekend art gallery. I only opened it Sunday afternoons to catch the beach-goers, and after I'd finished at the home. It was better to go there, than home to an empty house. It was my salvation. I had wonderful visitors all the time. It was my work and the work of some renown artist friends. The area had never been used for a gallery and the locals loved it and looked out for me. I loved it, but it was often quiet, especially in winter, when noone wanted to go to the beach.

[cheries_art]

Awww...thatz really neat Jillian, very cool pics and story! Thanks so much for making me smile! :)

[blueyeduckstudios]

She is beautiful :x

[imeldasart]

You know, maybe he was an animal/angel. He came in to your life and brought a smile and lifted your heart. Really, what are the odds? (This duck walks into a gallery...) What a gift!

[artistjillian]

I have many blessings from animals. I know I have a special bond with them. I worked at a veterinary clinic and had my own television show on animals. I got on with many animals that the others couldn't. When I used to sketch houses (I did over 9,000) I also went inside to measure up for floor plans and I can't count the number or amazed pet owners who watched their pets come up to me and follow me around. As a child my favourite church story was of St Francis. Many of my first drawings were of animals. I had no siblings and not many child friends I lived in a home with 4 adults and was left to myself most of the time so all animals and insects were my special friends.

[laartgallery]

What a cute cute story Jillian. You had me enthrawled !!!

[lakeeriebeachglass]

Karen, No worries!! I'm from Ohio and only moved here becauase of my DH! However, I must say where I came from literally had only 1 stip light and a bar on every corner!! ;)Jodie

[sunshinesketches]

My husband is like that too, Jillian. I've seen the biggest, meanest dogs lie on their backs, whimper and beg to have their tummies rubbed by him. I think he should look into a career as a burglar, but what do I know. 🙂

[sunshinesketches]

Um Jodie... how is that any different from the booming downtown metropolis where we live? A gas station, a grocery store, bank and a post office. 😄

[artistjillian]

🙂

[dawnybelle-art]

LOL..great story! 🙂

[madame.b.wishful]

The Duck obviously had great taste in art! Laura

[onekeenekat]

What a great story. And in serial installments, to boot! Loved it!

[beadalicious1]

What a great story..and pics too! My sister and I owned a scrapbook/paper crafts/rubber stamp store at the Jersey shore..about 2 blocks from the beach and I lived upstairs. I came home from vacation and there was a friend in my apt. Seems as though a cat had walked into the store, walked around a little and settled himself onto my sister's lap. We tried to located his owners, put up posters, the works. We called him Scrappy and he's still around today. 🙂

[sunnyba8e]

So He wasn't a "quack"? that's good

[cbcdesigns]

What a great story! And I can just imagine a children's book to go with the pics. Chris