The month of May proved to be a wonderful way to end Spring and welcome the Summer. In addition to my acceptance into the International Guild of Realism and my Honorable Mention award at the Northern Arizona Watercolor Society’s Spring Watercolor Exhibition, I also sold one of my favorite paintings—Jaguar Reflection II while it was on display in Sedona.

With Internet, gallery and exhibit sales, it’s sometimes difficult to actually meet one of my customers in person. I was fortunate to be able to meet Dr. Matthew Shawl an Ear, Nose & Throat and Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon from New York City. Dr. Shawl’s late father had visited Sedona with his wife Vicky about 15 years earlier and both were struck by the beauty of the area. Earlier this year his mother convinced Matthew to accompany her on a return trip to the area. As part of that vacation, they visited the Northern Arizona Watercolor Society’s Spring Watercolor Exhibition where he discovered my Jaguar painting.

Matthew contacted me about purchasing the work, and we agreed to meet at the exhibit the day before his return trip to New York. It was a wonderful, but too brief, meeting. When I asked him what drew him to the Jaguar painting, he said “I appreciate the tremendous detail of the piece as well as the rich colors and wonderful reflection of the Jaguar in the pond. There’s also a calm serenity to the scene that attracted me.”

While it is fun and rewarding to be able to paint, it is even more gratifying to actually see the sparkle in the eye of someone who appreciates your work and the passion you’ve put into it. Matthew, thanks to you and your mother for the opportunity to meet with you both, and I hope my painting gives you many years of pleasure while it’s on display in your home.