WHAT IS PROVENANCE?  (It's a little history about the significance of a painting.  This original painting played an important role in Marie Stephens' career as an artist):

In August of 2023, I was approached by 2 members of the Art Off the Wall committee asking if I would be willing to donate an original painting for the annual fundraiser, to be held in November.

Rather than donate an existing piece from my collection of originals, I decided to create a new one based on an oil painting I had created for a demonstration I did at the Bettendorf library a few years earlier. The new piece was created on a new substrate (gesso board) with a new medium to me, (fluid acrylics).  The style of the painting was based on my own style of doing skies, using my finger and a rag, but combined with a techniques observed by artist, Jim Musil, who I discovered on Instagram.  

This painting marks several achievements: learning a new substrate, learning to use a new medium, overcoming fears of rejection, working through anxieties of having my work be judged by strangers while I was there to observe them, and most importantly, learning to work through the feelings that come when a piece that I worked so hard on, did not sell at auction, and turning that around into something positive for thousands of other artists.  I shared the experience with a group of 10,000 artists in hopes that they too could understand that all art doesn't sell at auctions, and it's ok!

What I wrote for social media and my email list on November 27th in hopes to sell it on Giving Tuesday 11/28/2023 "On November 12, I had the honor to share my original Iowa Farm Scene Painting with nearly 200 art enthusiasts alongside over 100 original paintings donated by local artists and private collectors donated , all to help support the Figge Art Museum.

We enjoyed mimosas, a beautiful brunch, and art together for a great cause!

I am so grateful to the organizers who created this unique art experience, and for people who came to support such an amazing art resource for our area!

I learned so much about the art auction process, and met some wonderful artists, art curators and enthusiasts, and the wonderful Figge Art Museum staff!

What I Learned

• This event is great even if you don't intend to bid on art!

• It was well worth $25 just to enjoy the art, delicious brunch, and mimosas:)

• Not every piece sells at an art auction (mine included!)

• Sometimes the right person just hasn't come along yet to adopt a painting

• When one door closes, another one opens (this time, it's opening for you!)

HERE’s THE OPPORTUNITY

Although the right collector wasn't there for my painting, that's great news for you! 

As of November 2023, I raised the price to $5k, and will continue to do so every November, until it sells, and will donate 20% of the sale to the Figge Art Museum....wherever the price is on the date it is sold.