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.

[artistjillian]

I had a sliding door, which I left open most of the time. It was an 'L' shaped room - with main gallery area, and a small area set back on one side. I chose that to put a desk and work area. It was fairly tall, and I could just see over it to see anyone who entered - from at least waist up. It was one quiet afternoon and I was engrossed in painting. I had a feeling I was not alone. But looked up and noone was there. So looked down to my work again. Then I heard this sound. Kinda like soft flip flops. It was quiet, and an unusual sound. I looked up, expecting to see someone had come into the gallery. No, couldn't see anyone.

[artistjillian]

But the sound got nearer. Was someone crawling along the floor to sneak up on me? I was about 30 feet, diagonal, from the open door.

[artistjillian]

So I peeked ... And this is what I saw ...

[artistjillian]

This duck had come all the way into my gallery - across the carpet, and over to some framed photos propped up against the wall by my desk, and was peering at them! What a sight. Such a visitor. An arty duck!

[artistjillian]

Fortunately I had my camera nearby. A very crude and cheap digital, but got my photos. 🙂

[sunshinesketches]

I thought you were going to tell us it was Verne Troyer. 😄

[sunshinesketches]

Verne Troyer is my husband's hero. He says he looks up to him.

[artistjillian]

It spent so long 'looking' at the photos I was lucky to get the shots. It then turned around and went out...

[artistjillian]

🙂

[sunshinesketches]

Well? Did he not even buy anything???

[artistjillian]

It came back, sometimes with a mate, but never came inside again, but would stay at the door and beg for crackers.

[sunshinesketches]

He probably went to his nest and raved about this great gallery where the owner left artwork on the floor, at duck level so they could look at the work. :D Very cute Jillian!

[artistjillian]

No. But I often thought about the wonderful photo I MIGHT have got. As I had one of my paintings of a duck in the gallery - it was a large painting, and had the duck gone over to that, and looked at that ... what a photo that would have been! 🙂

[artistjillian]

HAHAHAHHA... duck-level art - never thought of that! Actually the photos were of the local beach area, so maybe there was a connection there.