Sometimes, I can be a sly one.
Last Saturday, for instance.
I’d spotted that a loyal reader, an Aussie painter named Rebecca Rath, was to have an exhibition in Switzerland…
She and I have been in touch for years, and I have to say, I’ve always loved her work.
We never worked together, and aside from emails and one skype call, we’d never actually met.
And normally, I wouldn’t travel all the way from Spain to Switzerland simply to be at a vernissage.
But, luck had it that I was in Northern Europe anyway, for my mother’s party.
And even more luck had it that a friend in Zurich offered me his apartment, right around the time Bec was about to start her exhibition.
So on the sly, without telling her, I took a train from Zurich to Neuchatel, and then a bus to a quaint little medieval town.
I walked into the gallery, and bided my time.
She spotted me while she was talking to some visitors, but didn’t seem to recognise me.
So I bided my time, and when I saw her talking to her husband, I walked up.
“Hi guys!”
I still chuckle, when I remember the look of surprise on her face.
“Martin! What are you doing here!”
“Oh”, I said as casually as I could, “I was just in the neighbourhood”.
“Bull!”, I think was the word she used in reply.
But it was basically true.
Sure it took a bit of luck and a bit of engineering, but Switzerland really isn’t a big country.
Now, you might wonder why I would plan and do this.
To hunt for business, perhaps?
Oh sure, why not.
Business is always good, and I’m always open for business.
But it would be pretty daft and inefficient to think that simply showing up at a show would land me a client.
And I’m not daft (and only *cough* mildly inefficient).
No, the reason I did it, I told you a few weeks ago at the start of my sojourn:
To meet inspiring people.
And someone from Australia who first spends a month as artist in residency in Italy, and then has a show in Switzerland, that’s someone who inspires me.
And off your friendly little Stellar went, to go say hi.
Who knows, I might just show up at your own show or event…
That said, I can’t keep track of all my readers, so do let me know if you have anything on in the North of Europe, between now and the end of September.
I’d love to meet you!
Cheers,
Martin
