"Hey Tessa, I don't know why I'm writing this, maybe it's because your Charlie and the Golden Ticket painting was the only piece that made me feel something in the entire selection at Bloom. I don't even know the actual name of the piece, the red SOLD lettering blocked out most of the important information. But looking at your artwork stirred something inside of me.
I grew up watching the movie with Gene Wilder and I read the book by Roald Dahl, and I sympathize with Charlie. His whole life was so terrible, and when he spent the money he found to buy that candy bar just for himself, (arguably the only selfish act he committed in the entire book) his life changed forever. Your painting captured that exact moment; with his elated smile, his tears of joy, and the knowledge that, finally, he has something that makes him special.
I love your painting. I have seen beautiful art all over St. Petersburg, including works by Chihuly and Dali, and while I still love The Hallucinogenic Toreador, none of it has made me as uniquely sad as your painting of Charlie. The quote from his grandfather about Veruca being spoiled is the perfect juxtaposition to Charlie, since he grew up being the complete opposite of spoiled.
Your painting moved me and legitimately me feel sad for Charlie's poor family and impoverished upbringing, yet filled with hope that everything is going to work out for him. Both the movie and the book didn't compel me to feel these emotions. I am not surprised at all that your painting sold, and I hope that you continue to paint, because you have a gift, it's like magic. I have no idea who you are, but you connected to me and made me experience depression and hope in a way that no one else has. If I am ever in St. Petersburg again to visit, I would love to see more of your work, or just to talk about your paintings.
This feels like a couple of long paragraphs of me gushing over your work, but I've never felt legitimate sadness while looking at a painting before. And I met you, which kind of blows my mind, because you're not some distant figure, you're a woman who is just doing what she loves. I was told by the assistant building manager that you were at the event, I knew I would regret it if I didn't at least tell you that I loved your painting. So, that's all, really. Keep up the phenomenal work"