[Mike McCarty]

Thank you all. Your observations have helped a great deal.

I would like to make an observation. Ignorance is almost always ugly, but there is a cure. People often try to disguise their ignorance by being coy or flippant. I think this is really a cry for help.

I have encountered many intelligent, successful people that have reached a point in their life where they want learn different things, and maybe now want to surround themselves with the trappings of their success. These people no nothing about art and are embarrassed and intimidated by the fact that they are as mature as they are and, while they may know all there is about running a chain of restaurants, know nothing about art.

As they set out in their own stealthy way to learn, they encounter something which confuses them, like seeing a vignette style of painting. They may very well like what they see, but their inability to understand it is off putting to them. And so they will make a cry for help (like me).

I want to recognize what it is that they want and be prepared to educate them in a way that does not seem arrogant or insensitive. This is a person wanting to be a client, but doesn't want to be fooled or tricked. They have seen plenty tomfoolery in their day.