For the past two weeks, I have been working with a friend, Mark, who wants to market a collection of 42 oil paintings by Dallas artist and sculptor John St. John. The collection focuses on the oil industry and the early adventures of legendary oilmen such as H.L. Hunt.
During our first meeting, Mark talked about the artist and the stories behind the paintings. I suggested that it would help if he had a portfolio of prints he could show as he talked about the artwork.
For our second meeting, we sat at an outdoor cafe in Las Colinas. Mark brought some negatives of the paintings so I could view them. The best way to view a negative? Hold it up to the light and peer into the picture.
We were talking about the artwork when a gentleman interrupted us.
“Excuse me. Did I hear you talking about an art gallery?”
We exchange information and learn that Ward is a photographer.
Mark shares two negatives with Ward. He holds each to the light and squints into the Texas sun.
“Those are nice paintings; I like them. If you wait here, I’ll be right back. I have something I’d like to show you.”
A minute later, Ward returns with two pictures of flowers he had taken. He doesn't say a word, just hands us
the letter-sized, glossy pictures. Of course, the pictures are beautiful.
After Wade leaves, Mark says, "Yes, I know. I need to get some prints made."
Now, Mark is a wide-awake executive who was going to get the prints made anyway. It’s enlightening, however, to see how people are moved to action by benefits infused with drama.
Comments