What makes me different from other artists?

Such a profound question.  There are so many artists, what makes me different than them?  I don’t think it’s my talent or skill.  It’s not that I use Sumi Ink and watercolor because there are many artists that do that.  It’s not where I live, my age or the family I’m from.  It’s that I listen to my clients. 

I spent most of my professional life in sales, selling weight loss and a lot of office services, print, copiers, water, shredding pretty much everything except uniforms.  I have been sales trained in listening, Sandler, Win/Win, SPIN and many more.  I have learned that the customer is always right and to listen to what they want.  If I don’t think I can provide that then speak up and be honest. 

A lot of my work is commission work.  I work from photographs, sometimes I am asked to combine a few photographs into one finished piece.  I ask questions, show proofs, if I’m combining photographs, and listen without judgement to the answer.  After all it’s their piece and they become part of the process.  I do this for homes, people, places, pets and product, like the piece shown here.