Maddy Brookes’ idea to fund a trip to Europe next summer by selling her paintings to study art and culture and lend even more depth to her work is absolutely brilliant. Maddy is a junior at The Rhode Island School of Design. She’s a remarkably prolific painter and also happens to be the lovely girlfriend of my son, Ellis Govoni a student at Landmark College in Vermont.
Think about the art market right now. It’s nuts. A small investment in a young painter could be very valuable one day. Jeff and I made a small investment in the early 1990s in the artist—Ethan Murrow. It was a really good investment, even if it was a stretch for us at the time.
Here’s the link and a chance to acquire a Maddy Brookes original painting: https://www.gofundme.com/vz5sr2rd
See more work of Maddy’s at: https://maddybrookesart.squarespace.com/
I’m very inspired by the boldness of Maddy doing this and I have to tell you why.
As an artist myself, the idea that I have “a product” is very challenging…the work is personal and makes you vulnerable to criticism. If I sold furniture, cars, sweaters, lawn mowers or cut your hair no one would think twice about me promoting myself and being very upfront about the price of that item. I’m going to challenge myself to put a few pieces up with the price tags and see what happens. Thank you, Maddy.
Even when perspective buyers visit my studio I treat them like they’re visiting a museum. That’s crazy. I have a product. Actually a very large inventory of products and I basically don’t ever let anyone even know that they’re for sale.
However, with art there seems to be a different relationship. Stay with me a moment. If a 20-year-old college student told you that they were working to save money for a trip or to buy a car or further their education everyone would praise that effort. However, with art there’s a perceived arrogance and it isn’t remotely fair.
Maddy has an AMAZING PRODUCT and she’s selling them to fund her desire to travel and further her education as an artist. I hope you’ll check out Maddy’s work and even if you’re unable to purchase a painting, please send a note of encouragement or forward the link. You have no idea what an e-mail saying, “I like your work” can mean to an artist.
Thank you so much Lisa!!! You are so sweet and your support and encouragement mean the world to me. I’m so lucky to have such an incredible maybe-one-day mother in law (sorry I don’t know a better way to say that, but that’s pretty much how I see you). You’re the best. Thank you.
Maddy, I’ve been meaning to speak about art sales and supporting young artists for a while. You’re very talented and you have a product that should be shared with the world. I’m inspired by your boldness. I hope it helps even a little get the word out there. I can’t wait to get my paintings. No hurry, when you’re busy though. Take care of your other sales first.
Both the buying and selling of art is fraught with expectations that can never be met. So many see it as not doing “real work”. And then there is the creative work that is not even considered Art.
These paintings are wonderful, and I wish Maddy luck.