One painting a reminder that art has impact well beyond the point of creation
My son recently asked me a question that took me down memory lane.
“Dad, what was the first painting you ever sold?” he asked.
As I thought back to the early days of my artistic journey, I remembered a particular piece, a fish I created using alcohol markers. Interestingly, fish have long held symbolic associations with new life, fertility, and new beginnings. In some interpretations of dreams, a fish can represent the arrival of something new, even the anticipation of a child being born. Looking back, I find it meaningful to reflect on the symbolism of this piece and the beginnings of my own artistic journey.
I remembered my early days displaying artwork at Artworks Gallery, back when it was still located inside Kokomo Mall. As a member of the Kokomo Art Association, I had my own special place on the gallery wall to showcase my framed pieces.
One of the first people to purchase my work was Cheryl Sullivan, a talented local photographer who now serves as president of the Kokomo Art Association. The fish caught Cheryl’s attention around 2010, when I was still finding my footing as an artist. I began pursuing art more heavily in 2009, and I was discovering how my creativity could connect with others.
What makes this memory especially meaningful is, some 15–16 years later, that same artwork still hangs in Cheryl’s home. For me, that is about more than an early art sale. It is a reminder of the people who believed in my work from the beginning and the lasting impact art can have beyond the moment it is created.
As I reflect on the many opportunities I’ve had to create and share my work throughout Kokomo, I remain grateful for how far this journey has taken me. I give God the glory for the opportunities I’ve experienced, and I’m thankful that a gift I began nurturing years ago continues to open doors and bring people together.
Cheryl, thank you for believing in my work all those years ago. From a small space on a gallery wall inside Kokomo Mall to the opportunities I enjoy today, I can truly say this artistic journey has been a blessing.
And I’m just getting started.