How I did it: On a non-rev day trip to San Francisco in 2000, I wanted to show my friend the shop in North Beach where scenes from  "So I Married An Ax Murderer" were filmed. It turned out to be an art gallery ~ The North Beach Gallery. This gallery had previously been a butcher shop and was called Meats of the World in the movie.  As fate would have it, there was a collection of Jim Leff's work on exhibit. I felt instantly drawn to a particular piece titled Ex-Patriot in Yelapa. The gallery owner took it down from the wall and carrying it into the old "meat locker" where a viewing room had been set up with spotlights and a couch. He carefully re-hung it and said to take as much time as we liked enjoying the piece. I knew I wanted it before it had been placed back on the wall! I charged it, had it packed up & shipped home.

Lessons & tips: I've never made such an extravagant purchase in such a short time. Usually walking away to give myself 24 hours to think about it.(I  broke this rule since I was leaving in a couple of hours to fly back to Seattle.) I've never regretted this gift to myself & my husband (turns out he likes it almost as much as me !)  I now check myself at the door when entering any art gallery! And try to frequent Museums as much as possible to get my art fix. The price of admission is a bargain ..

Nov 01, 2008, 08:49PM PDT | 0 comments | 6 cheers