Artists with Attitude

And so it began like any other day together. Meet for coffee, discuss art, marketing, make a To Do List. It used to be we would meet to paint together but, now there is so much more to do just to maintain our websites, our blogs, move paintings etc etc.

Today we were actually checking something off our list. We were going to a local printer to get our joint price tags made, along with some personal postcards, business cards etc. It wasn't a BIG adventure day. No...this was an easy 'in and out' errand and if we got enough accomplished, maybe we could paint together at least one day this month.

As I recall, we had an early appointment at the printing company where we met their new employee, Randy.
We were happy.
He was happy.
Everyone was happy

Since I had some additional printing needs for my booth in the upcoming Wedding Show, I started to explain exactly what I wanted for my new postcards when Pepper joined in to further explain exactly what I really wanted and only didn't yet realize it. A strange but familiar feeling came over me. It was then that I began to realize that we were losing Randy.

That’s ok. We know how to get him back on track. We’ll take it up a notch. Pretty soon Pepper and I were both explaining what we wanted on MY postcards (as though there was one stream of consciousness) and yet a dissonance of noise was filling the waiting room where we were meeting. Randy, our new rep, sat trying to listen to Pepper, then me, then Pepper, then me and then (I don't know what was wrong with him, really!) he didn't appear to be listening to both of us sufficiently even though we were trying our best to explain everything. Well maybe we were speaking at the same time. Both of us grew up in homes where everyone spoke at the same time. We didn’t have problems with it.

Randy's once beaming smile disappeared, his eyes crossed, he became silent, his head hung down, held up only by his hands.

We are anything but obtuse. He should have understood exactly what we wanted by now. What’s wrong? After about 30 or 40 minutes, we realized that we were not getting through. So, we stood up to make our point. Surely this will work. Italians know...when not being heard, take it up another decibel and if that doesn't work, stand up….on a table if you have to. We will be heard! We will get through this small task of designing cards. This is our light day, our 'in and out' errand! Nothing to it! Let’s not make it into something!

This scenario went on for at least an additional half hour!

Then...to our joy we see the owner of the printing company walking through the hallway. Good. Maybe now we can deal with a fresh brain. We both wave and loudly say, "Hello" but to no avail. The owner kept walking and disappeared, never to be seen again. We think she saw us. We’re pretty sure she saw us. Maybe she didn’t hear us. What? How could that be? Even with the loud machinery near her, we’re in our Italian mode!!! Besides, couldn’t she see our hands waving wildly? Could she have been avoiding us? Why?

Only then did it dawn on us that Randy didn't hear us either despite our proximity, our verbose instruction, our standing and sitting and hand waving. Nothing seems to work with these people. What’s the problem?

Maybe there was a lesson to be learned here: Could it be that one of us alone is better? We thought two heads were better than one………..but in our case…………..maybe not. Maybe Pepper and I need to take it down a notch. Be more precise. Pause and listen for a response. At least wait for some sort of acknowledgement before continuing. I’m not saying it will be easy, but maybe in the end it would save us time. Maybe the ‘in and out’ tasks could really be just that instead of a two hour chore with people like Randy just tuning out and not keeping up and missing our intent…………

Post script: just as we thought, Randy missed some things. So when we saw the proofs of the cards, we had to change stuff. We did it by computer. That seemed to work really well. Next time we’ll just email it all in. That will save us even more time and we can stay in our studios and paint! Lesson learned!! Hopefully Randy didn’t quit.

Patty and Pepper both show their work in two upscale venues:

Obelisco Wine Tasting Room in Woodinville, WA in the warehouse wine tasting district.
This is like their own personal gallery. With beautiful ambience and wonderful red wines.

Also in the Preservation Kitchen in Bothell, WA

For more paintings go to our websites.
Or…..go to Patty's Blog or Pepper's Blog

Pepper-mint Patty

Pepper

Patty

Hi I’m Pepper.
I am fun-loving and love painting! That’s all you really need to know about me. But I never stop talking so I’ll tell you more. I started painting about 17 or 18 years ago I think……..who remembers?……….Patty and I met a couple of years later in an art class. Oh, that means I know more than she does and should be able to tell her how to paint. Not really, but I do it anyway!

I’ve always been artsy-craftsy, so painting was just another thing for me to learn along with pottery, stitchery, quilting, applique, decorating, and a jillion other things. I dabbled for a couple of years then got a little more serious each year until finally I ended up obsessed to the exclusion of all other hobbies. I think it happens this way with most artists. It takes you over without you being aware of it. Selling my art is just a natural extension of this. After all……..how many paintings can you pile up in the attic? Well I could go on and on but I'm going to make myself shut up now. Gotta go paint!

Hi, I'm the 'Patty' part of this crazy painting partnership of Pepper-mint Patty.
I am from a wonderful Italian family that early on, instilled in me the love of life, laughter, the arts, family, friends and good food!

I started painting later in life and as soon as I did, I knew I wanted to be a 'painter' when I grew up. I'm not too sure that I've grown up but I have committed myself to becoming the best painter I can be. I absolutely love painting. I think it's because it combines so many of the things that bring me joy.

I partnered with Pepper, because she is a crazy Italian with an insatiable zest for living (and painting.)

We originally had a third partner but she never got a word in edgewise. If you meet me and Pepper together, you won't either! But, just know....we will love you! We just won't stop talking long enough to let you finish a sentence. (No wonder we can't keep a third partner)