What Is It About Art That Catches Peoples Attention?

What is it about art that catches peoples attention?

It can be challenging to get anyone to see your work on social media. The sheer volume of things clamoring for your attention makes this no mean feat. 

So it’s hard to know when you do succeed, what made the difference?

In this last week, I’ve had multiple enquiries about a painting I’ve been posting for almost 4 months.

So what caught their attention now?

A few days ago I got a DM from an Instagram follower inquiring about two paintings. Were they available and how much were they? I gave her the details then heard nothing further.

A few days later she came back to me, about just one painting this time - Remembering. 

It turned out her Mom is suffering from dementia. She’d been spending a lot of time remembering her Mom as she used to be - before dementia had taken hold. As her Mom’s dementia got worse she kept returning to this painting and finally made the decision to buy it.

 A few hours later, I was catching up with a collector on Zoom. She happens to be writing a book about Alzheimer’s. 

On the call, she mentioned how she loved my freshly painted white wall and had now seen a piece she wanted to buy. I duly pointed the camera at the wall so she could see everything. 

And you know what she said?

“Where is she? Where has she gone? She was the one looking over her shoulder, I don’t know what it was called.”

That painting was Remembering.

 The painting I’d just sold.

I recently wrote about how I chose names for my work. My hope is that the name allows room for the viewer’s interpretation as well as my experience in creating the painting. But it’s interesting that 2 people both dealing with dementia wanted to buy this piece.

I started creating this piece before COVID had taken over our lives. But I finished it as New Your City went into lockdown.

I was feeling like we’d lost our old way of life. That there was no clear path towards the life we once had. I was remembering the memories and freedoms past.

And perhaps these collectors were too?

While COVID took away our freedoms and our ability to see those dearest to us, we’ve all been busy cherishing memories of better times.

But what were the deciding factors for these collectors?

With the first, her memories during a difficult time and the discovery of the title perhaps came together and triggered the decision to buy.

While it seemed the white wall had allowed the second client to see my work clearly and was drawn to this piece for the feelings it evoked in her.

Maybe subconsciously the title of the piece had some influence on their desire for this piece. Or perhaps the artwork truly reflected the title?

We can never be too sure.

Or maybe I need to repaint my studio wall more often?

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