Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Flower Shoppe - SOLD


"Flower Shoppe"
9x12 acrylic on canvas panel
Available through DPW gallery/auction


Day 14 of 365 days

This was previously painted in 2011 or maybe in 2012, but I first put it online in early 2013. I have always loved this painting and I'm actually quite surprised that it has not sold yet!

Who doesn't love to walk down a street & find cut flowers for sale? There is a small flower shop in NY that I see every day - it's actually in the Port Authority Bus Terminal. The man is always cutting flowers & arranging groups when I walk past. And every day it makes me smile. I have no extra money these days to buy cut flowers (these can be quite expensive in Manhattan), but it brings me joy to see the wonderful colors. 

So one day recently, as I was doing my "make 1 compliment to 1 stranger every day" project, I decided to let this man know that he puts a smile on my face every day. When I told him, I think I took his breath away! He smiled, said "I always try" and thanked me. I think I made his day.

In fact, I think it has the same effect on every stranger I compliment. It can be as simple as "great shoes, nice bag, pretty coat, beautiful teeth or hair, great smile, love your necklace, or beautiful floral display" - it makes such a difference in a persons day & thoughts for the day. You will see a change in the persons expression almost instantly. And every person I have complimented has thanked me. And they say New Yorkers are hard people!

I do this often, once every day if I get the chance. I never lie or pretend, but all of us see things every day that we like or enjoy - let a person know when it does! Give it a try - do it for 2 or 3 days in a row & see how it makes you feel. The strangers aren't the only ones who benefit!

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Side note:
To Kurt: May you enjoy heaven & bring joy to the folks there like you did here on earth. RIP

2 comments:

Sea Dean - Paint a Masterpiece said...

I love this painting too Nan. The only thing I could say about it is that I would like to see the store owner outside tending his flowers or someone picking a bouquet. I picture him a little on the large side with a white apron and bald head for some reason.

Also, about the little compliments, I agree. I've been doing it for years and it doesn't just brighten the other person's day, but your own as well. They smile, you smile, you both continue to smile all day and everyone else smiles with you. It's a nice way to be. :)

Also another aside - try doing it on yourself. When you look in the mirror tell yourself how pretty you look and how nice that colour goes with your hair. What a great person you are to know and how lucky your friends are. It sounds weird in the beginning, but you soon get used to it. :)

Nan Johnson said...

Thanks Sea for your suggestions of change. This one is already sealed so no changes here. But another flower shop may be in the works!

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