Several years ago, when I was fairly new at painting, I sold most of my work on eBay auctions. I've been fortunate to have gotten to know some of the folks who have been avid fans and
collectors - and that means a lot to me to connect with those people. Elizabeth Edwards was one of them.
After Elizabeth had received the first painting I sold to her, she wrote the nicest letter to me, thanking me and expressing how much she enjoyed how I saw the world around me. I kept that letter, it made me beam with pride. She came back for more, I think over twenty during the course of three to four years - and every single time, it thrilled me.
Any opportunity I had to write Elizabeth, I did. She made me proud to be a woman. I told her I wished I had her skill of speaking - she told me she wished she had my talent.
Elizabeth Edwards was, as I knew her, a warm, down-to-earth, smart and caring person. I am grateful to have known her, even just a little bit.
.... also wanted to add on that Elizabeth not only supported me as an artist, she had bought paintings from several artists/friends of mine - Chris Stott, Neil & Karen Hollingsworth, Jeff Cohen .... I know there's many others, and we all deeply appreciated her patronage. She was cool.
How fortunate you are Karin to have had Elizabeth Edwards in your life. Those of us in North Carolina are proud as well. She was a graceful and impressive woman who will be missed by many.
ReplyDeleteKarin,
ReplyDeleteJust in what you said on your blog, you did Elizabeth right and she would have loved to be remembered like that..
I think we all feel the loss of another woman to breast cancer and whether it is for Elizabeth or a best friend, it is tough.
What a blessing. I admired her very much. It is sad to see this amazing person pass from this life.
ReplyDeleteTouching post, Karin.
ReplyDeleteI sold Elizabeth a painting as well, and when I did, I hit the roof. I think I shared my excitement with you at the time. She tried several times bidding on my pieces on eBay, and just before I moved on from eBay, she finally bought a one... a painting of a little alarm clock that belonged to my grandmother.
Not only was I humbled to have sold a painting to such a remarkable woman, but also humbled to have joined the group of artists who belonged to her painting collection.
Karin, what a beautiful tribute for a beautiful, gracious woman. I've been feeling sad since hearing the news today. Reading your touching story put a smile on my face, but tears in my eyes. Thank you for sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful to know of her. She was a woman's woman.
ReplyDeleteWhat a very nice post and kind words about a wonderful woman who has been an inspiration to so many, in both the way she lived her life and the way she fought the battle with cancer. Thanks for sharing your connection with her.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful artistic tribute to a wonderful art loving woman. She had a great eye!
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute for a lovely lady. So nice to hear of your connection with her...I knew she probably had good taste and now I know for sure in hearing that she collected your artwork. Sad day, she will be missed.
ReplyDeleteWonderful tribute. Wonderful, strong woman. Know your paintings will continue to help brighten her families day.
ReplyDeleteGood post Karin, great story, sorry to hear of her passing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that. She was a special woman and you are fortunate to have met her.
ReplyDeleteKarin, though I did not know Elizabeth personally she went to the same Army DOD school overseas in Japan as I did and was an alum. I missed this year's h.s. reunion due to a sprained ankle, photos from the reunion show Elizabeth taking time to pose with many of my Alum-mates. How fortunate you are to have had Elizabeth as your collector. Wonderful tribute - thank you.
ReplyDeleteThat's a nice tribute to a admirable woman, Karin. You're fortunate to have had that relationship with her. 1st class all the way. She left us the gift of her life.
ReplyDeleteShe was a classy lady.
ReplyDeleteI am sharing your post if you don't mind.
Wonderful commentary on your experience with EE. To write thank you notes & keep up a correspondence says a great deal about her character.
ReplyDeleteI find her passing very sad indeed.
A wonderful post, Karin, for a wonderful woman.
ReplyDeleteIt touches my heart to know that she was an art lover and collector as well as an inspiration for so many in so many different ways.
here's to Elizabeth-a true woman warrior
ReplyDeleteSad to see such a light extinguished. She was definitely a great lady. You have precious keepsakes of her - you are lucky.
ReplyDeletewow...well said Karin....
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Karin - I'm sure your work enriched her life as much as she did yours. Well done.
ReplyDeleteWonderful story! You are truly fortunate to have Elizabeth Edwards in your lifw.
ReplyDeleteThat is great to hear. Do you have any images of some of the ones she had in her collection? Would be great to see. This goes to show ya, you never know who is a collector..
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that with us. My heart sank when I heard the news of her passing. RIP.
ReplyDeleteNice tribute, Karin. I heard the news at work last night in a patient room. I felt so sad. She was truly the epitome of "Grace Under Fire."
ReplyDeleteIf this truly isn't the whole party down here on earth, I hope she is now reunited with her son.
Beautifully said, Karin. She seemed to take whatever was heading her way with dignity and grace. Something to admire for sure. Thank you for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteOh my Karin...what a fabulous story. You were blessed to know her, and she to know you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a joy it must have been to see so many of your works being sold to the same person, and a wonderful person at that! Thank you for sharing that story with us...another beautiful lady gone :(
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Karin, what a wonderful story of wonderful woman. I am always delighted in the quality of people we meet from our work. She was cool
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. It would be lovely to see you do a portrait of her - perhaps auctioning it to raise money for breast cancer awareness or something in her honor. Or do one of your challenges where everyone paints her.
ReplyDeleteIndeed a lovely tribute.
ReplyDeleteBoth of you with class, and great taste!
Wow. What a nice memory. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo is Elizabeth and a lovely tribute to her.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great tribute Karin - thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeletePeople like Elizabeth who provide support every which way are so very important to artists.
Would that there were more collectors like her.....