A day spent in a gallery

As I patiently waited for a customer to set foot inside the glass doors of the gallery, I sat down on the receptionist table and read my book.

No internet (wasn't working)

Just me, my book, and cup of tea in a lonely minimalist art gallery.
All day.
The object was to try and sell art.

The day consisted of circling the gallery about 10 times gazing up and down each work, stepping outside for fresh air every 2 hours, took about 4 trips to the bathroom, read 7 chapters of my book, 1 mail man came inside to drop off a package, 1 trumpet player came inside and gave me his business card, took 3 pictures (above), and 0 customers.

Then, I met an artist from Spain name Lola Del Fresno.

She is a well-known and recognized artist.
Her work is displayed in the gallery & it was my job to help sell her work.

We spoke.

She shared her condition as being an artist. She strives for a life in the most passionate sense. Everyday she visits this gallery, hoping a customer will be captivated by her work and buy it. Unfortunately business is slow in this economy and many people cannot afford to buy art. Hurts to say but buying a $1,000 painting would be the last item on everyone's list.

Lola is also an art teacher. She shared pictures of her current student's work. They were only 9 & 14 years old. Astonishing. She tells all her students to always start with a large size canvas because in the beginning of your work, you want to have no limitation in to what you are capable of creating. From there, the process becomes easier. Your mind opens and becomes available for the strongest thoughts and emotions coming from within yourself.

By the end of the day I sold 0 artwork. Still had 0 customers. 0 professional skill experience I can include in my resume. 0 payment from the 6 hour shift. The goal I expected for myself & the purpose of working in the gallery was not accomplished.

Yet, I still felt accomplished and satisfied. That day turned out more useful then what I thought it would be.

My heart was uplifted.
My soul was awakened.
An epiphany dawned on me.
Ah! I felt so...inspired.

Aware that I left the gallery with no secure benefits (money or a job title) didn't generate me to feel guilt, anxiety, or ambition. But I experienced a great value in being unproductive. In result, I have come to appreciate the teachings in blissful ignorance. We are always told to be fully conscious but in all that effort leads to self-consciousness, which merely turns into destroying our own self with anxiety and depression. Slowly learning to adjust to changes of its upside downs and inside outs takes great strength.

In result, I am discovering how to live with little consciousness.