Navigating money dynamics in a relationship

Money. It creates a power dynamic in relationships. And it's not necessarily a balance of power. In fact, it is sometimes a flat out misdirected use of power. And it stinks.

Recently, I was reacquainted with a gentleman ranking high in the financial realm who purchased one of my bridge paintings. A repeat customer, he had commissioned me several years ago to create a large scale oil of one of my bridges. I was happy to see him again at one of my art receptions, as he seemed to be considering adding more of my pieces to his collection. I watched him as he stood admiring one of my recent works for a long span of time. He was willing to buy it. But there was a snag.

Judging quality paintings

"Do a large piece of smokestacks, Chris," said David Passalacqua, one of my favorite teachers during my senior year at Parson's School of Design. What? I thought. I just looked at him feeling a bit awkward. I didn't really like the feeling, and I wasn't sure why he said that. I looked at my work in progress. I had a decent, albeit slightly boring, illustration going. I wasn't ready to give up on my illustration. I looked at David. He was an excellent teacher – so extroverted. David's friendly eyes had an uncanny ability to bore a hole into your soul just by looking at you with the surety he had for the mastery of his craft and literally yank the guts of your creative instincts to the fore. That is what happened to me when I looked at him. He simply kicked my ass – as he was known to do with students – using a mischievous smile and an electric energy spilling from his deep knowledge of illustrative art. He made it his mission to challenge students to higher levels. "OK," I said to him calmly while my energy surged through my body. Something central changed that day for me. My journey as a painter became a passionate adventure -- a mission to capture the unimaginable.