The Chauffeur
By Federico Leon de la Vega - October 2006
During the times when I was struggling to find ways to market my artwork I often held shows at private clubs. On one occasion I was invited to show at "Club de Golf Mexico" in the southern side of Mexico City. An important event was to be held while I was showing at the club-house: the "Miguel Aleman Golf Tournament" which is sponsored by a Mexican organization in honor of one of this country's best remembered presidents. A great promoter of this sport and of national tourism, Miguel Alemán was.
I went through the usual motions of mounting a show, hanging my paintings some on the walls others on easels, about twenty of them. I studied the local lighting conditions and made the best of it and, once finished, I opened my book and begun to read while I waited for potential customers to show up. After going through a few pages I noticed a man in his late thirties staring at one of the paintings. Too humble, I thought; he didn't look like he could afford a painting. However, his long, intent gaze on each painting as he slowly went around the room made me put my book down, walk up to the man and ask if I may be of help. Very kind of you to ask he said; I am impressed by the subject: clouds. It is simple,yet well mastered.
He went on, talking slowly, telling me about his preference for oils over acrylics, and how he enjoyed a certain style over another. The man certainly enjoyed art; he was having a good time just looking, while I was flattered and truly enjoyed our conversation. He finally came down to the difficult question and asked about prices. I answered, quoting the prices of those pieces he had liked best. I may be able to bring you some clients, he said, If they do buy, would you be so kind as to make me some kind of discount? I answered assuringly, never thinking anything would come out of his offer.
 The hours went slowly by and then it was time to eat. I packed my book, asked the club's policeman to please watch my paintings while was out and drove home. As I arrived and went through my door, the phone rang. A female voice excitedly said my name and asked if I was the painter artist showing at the club. "Mr. Miguel Alemán would like to have you as a guest in his table, sir, can you join him within the hour?" Of course I would I said. In spite of the traffic, I just could not miss the opportunity. Now, this was the ex-president's son, his father's namesake, yet a governor himself, of the state of Veracruz. So, I knifed my way back through the traffic, returning to the club as fast as I could. A government aide was already waiting to usher me to a table outdoors, past security, where some ten distinguished gentlemen laughed and commented on birdies, mulligans and golf accomplishments of the day. As I approached, the governor gently shook my hand. Others followed and I sat down to enjoy drinks, a good meal and kind compliments.
After desert we all stood up and went to the my show room. Sweet smells of cigars lingered in the air. Then, as we walked in, it all happened very fast: "Give me this one and that one" said the governor "I would like this one here" said one of his friends "Do you fly?" asked another, who was in fact a helicopter owner and liked the way my clouds were so realistically rendered. In a few minutes, more than a dozen paintings were gone and paid for. I was overwhelmed with satisfaction. As the room settled back to its peaceful mood, the man who had visited me that morning came in, as modestly as before. "I told the boss and his friends about you" he said "did they buy from you?" I nodded happily and asked the man which of the paintings left he liked best. He thought about this for a while and returned to the one painting he had stared at for the longest time before. "This one", he said pointing "...but even at a discount price I'm not sure I can afford it" "Sure you can! do you have one dollar on you?" I answered; and the man handed me a dollar and walked out happily, with his new acquisition.
Some people really know how to buy art.
Federico León de la Vega
E-mail: fleondelavega@hotmail.com
Author Note: This is a chapter of a book I am writing about my adventures as a painter artist.
The Federico León de la Vega Estudo – Café is open to the public and is located in Paseo de la Marina 31, Nuevo Vallarta, Nayarit. Opening hours are Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sundays from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Archives by date |
Current
Weather Report
