Today I was inspired by a guy painting pictures of dogs.
I was going to write a blog about the three things you have to teach your children by age seven. Instead I want to tell you about Bryan Sink.
My husband and I have known Bryan for years. He’s been a chef, a musician and then he turned into an artist. He had several galleries and restaurants but things happened and they all closed.
Well, today I talked to Bryan for the first time in a while and he’s finally found it, he’s become enormously successful as a pet portrait painter. He only charges two hundred dollars for each large painting, they don’t take him long to paint and he’s back ordered. Everybody wants to pay Bryan 200 dollars to do something he loves. He’s found a niche.
He commented that most folks would have given up on painting, they would have walked away and found a “real job”. But Bryan didn’t and as a result, at the age of 52 (I think) he’s found success and joy.
In the past Bryan’s artwork was always inexpensive but abstract. He called his prices “common man” prices. Now, he’s teamed his “common man” prices with a common love, our pets. Everybody, from Red Neck Joe Joe to Mr. and Mrs Howell on Gilligan’s Island, love their pet. We all think our dog has the greatest face, the most expressive eyes. Whatever, we are all idiots when it comes to our pets and our children. (This morning I asked my dog, Theo, if he was ready to run away with me. He said we couldn’t go until the kids were a little older. I also asked him to unload the dishwasher but he never finishes the job)
As soon as I told my husband, Alex, about Bryan’s pet portraits he said, “We should get one done of Theo”. Bryan Sink is a genius.
Apparently a few years ago Bryan heard an interview with James Taylor, the musician. Taylor said he’d simply outlasted his competition. Everybody, else eventually died or gave up. And the same is true of Bryan.
During our conversation Bryan also said, “You know, if you do something long enough, you’re bound to get better at it.” He’s absolutely right, he’s also a much, much better painter now. I’ve been doing Taekwondo for almost 12 years and I’m not good (I’ve seen good and know what it looks like) but as my friend Amelia says, “I don’t suck nearly as much as I used to” and that’s enough to keep my passion alive.
So, tomorrow, find something you love, building kites, writing, cooking, juggling, it doesn’t matter. Just find your passion and do it, stick with it and evenetually, like James Taylor and Bryan Sink, you’re bound to find some success or at least you’ll suck a little less.
That’s what I’m counting on.