A few years ago, during one of our legendary Fine Art Trips to Europe for art lovers and collectors, we were in Scotland visiting art museums and private collections — including the second-largest private art collection in Europe, housed in a castle that made Highclere Castle or Downton Abbey look like guest houses. When we arrived at the castle and the footman opened the massive doors, a bagpiper in full regalia played as we entered and walked up the curved marble stairways for a group photo. For an hour or so, we were able to walk into every room and view the extensive artwork collection including rare works by Da Vinci, Raphael, Rubens, Constable, and just about everyone you could imagine, including a “modern” artist, John Singer Sargent, who was commissioned to paint the owner’s portrait a hundred years ago.
Dinner Is Served
About an hour into our visit, chimes rang out, inviting us into a dining room with a 40-foot-long table, elegantly decorated. A huge fireplace at the end of the hallway warmed the room, which was lit by candlelight chandeliers overhead. Soon the butler and his uniformed footmen served our seven-course meal. Midway through dinner, I clinked my glass and said a few welcoming words to our guests, as did Fine Art Connoisseur editor Peter Trippi, followed by an opera tune sung by tenor David Orkuit.
Drumbeats in the Distance
Following dessert, we gathered at the rear entrance to meet our bus, but were surprised to hear a drum corps emerging from the distant fog. As they got close, the 12-man drum and bagpipe troupe played a couple of Scottish tunes, then disappeared into the mist, playing as they marched away. Everyone was surprised, and all had tears streaming down their faces. I knew it was coming, and still had tears; it was one of the most beautiful and memorable moments of my life. My goal was to create a moment my guests would never forget, knowing some may never return to Scotland, and also knowing this one moment would be locked in their memories for the rest of their lives. We’ve done 11 of these art trips, and each has had a few equally powerful memories.
Life is about memorable moments. It’s about experiencing them, and it’s about creating them.
Impossible Is Best
I was reminiscing about my career and some of the memorable moments I’ve been able to create for my family and for my friends and customers over the years. There are too many to mention here, but they’ve always involved an element of the impossible. I always wanted to give people an experience that was beyond expectation. Usually such experiences weren’t affordable and I’d have to find ways to make them happen without money, making the success even sweeter.
A Bag of Tricks
I’ve brought tanks and elephants into buildings, and jugglers and fife-and-drum corps to stages I was speaking on. I’ve worn a spacesuit and a Revolutionary War uniform, had circus performers and people on stilts, mounted cars to billboards, driven a mini electric car onto the stage, and dozens of other things I was told were impossible to arrange. Last year at the Plein Air Convention I brought a gospel choir on stage for two songs.
I’m sure I got this from my dad. I can remember him holding a customer party at our house and bringing in a professional fireworks display. I took his idea and did the same at our lake house to celebrate the 10th Publisher’s Invitational in the Adirondacks.
Do It Right
My dad used to say, “Son, always do everything in four-color even though it’s more expensive.” What he meant was that, back in the day, it was a lot of extra money to print brochures in color. At the time, most of his competitors did things in black and white. Four-color was a metaphor for doing everything with excellence. Do the unexpected. Stand out. Don’t be the same as everyone else.
Extra Effort Is Worth It
Sometimes the most memorable family events are when something occurs that no one expects. Maybe it’s game night, maybe it’s dinner in the backyard in a tent. My dad used to do dessert in his teepee at his lake place, and he would do a trappers’ cabin breakfast for guests in a little cabin on his property. When the lake kids were at our home for Junior Yacht Club, we would put out a hundred whipped cream cans and do whipped cream fights. Other parents were mortified, but those kids will remember that for their entire lives, along with everyone jumping in the lake to get the sticky off.
Everyone does the expected. Only a few do the unexpected, because it takes extra effort. But what if every experience people had with you was memorable? What if every touchpoint was memorable?
What can you do to stand out? Not just so you stand out, but so you’re making people feel alive, giving them an experience they will never forget?
What if your co-workers saw you as the person who always makes the extra effort, who does things that no one else is willing to do? I’ve worked with hundreds of people over my career, but only a few stand out in my memory as the crazy ones that went the extra mile.
People want to be entertained. They want to feel alive. They want to have memorable experiences.
Expectations should always be met, but whenever possible, they should be exceeded. Why be boring? Why not stand out by doing excellent graphics, using exciting words, by taking the routine and making it exceptional?
There Will Be Naysayers
Warning: When you stand out, some will call you a clown, a showman, a P.T. Barnum. You will always have someone who gives you negative feedback. They won’t like the music, or the dancing, or the theatrics. When you go to a Tony Robbins event, it’s loud, it’s musical, there is dancing, and for some, it’s off-putting. It was for me, and I understand his intent. I had to tell myself, “You won’t get anything out of this unless you get into it and participate.” My colleague went and could not stand the music and drama and left, and missed out. Don’t miss out. Don’t be the person who rains on the parade. Jump in, have fun, and get into it. And don’t let the naysayers get you down.
Clothes Removed
One year I was invited to speak at the regional convention of the National Religious Broadcasters. As I stood on stage in front of a few hundred broadcasters, all wearing suits on a Saturday, I started my speech, then stopped and said, “It’s Saturday. Would you mind if I loosen my tie?” They nodded. A little later, I paused again and took my tie off. Then I asked if they would mind if I took my suit coat off. They nodded, and I asked them to do that, too, so they were more comfortable. Some did. Then, a few minutes later, I took off my shirt and my pants behind the lectern. I could hear some gasps.
Of course I had a T-shirt and jeans on underneath. But the point I wanted to leave them with is that you can’t reach people if you are stiff and formal. Paul said to relate to man “in his times.” I suggested that they needed to be more appealing to people who were turned off by their approach. The point was made, and guaranteed, they not only remember it to this day, they still talk about it.
Ask yourself: What can I do to make my point remembered?
What can I do to stand out?
How can I make an experience more memorable?
To celebrate our 10-year anniversary, my wife asked me to take a few days off, drove me to the airport, and, once we were past security, blindfolded me and took me to the gate. I did not know where we were going. Soon we boarded the Concorde for a three-hour flight to London. We spent a couple of days there and came back. I’ll never forget it as long as I live.
Where is the element of surprise in your life, with your family, with your friends, with your customers? It’s never too late.
Eric Rhoads
PS: This morning, when I prayed as I first got out of bed, I asked God to help me bring back this element of my life, to help me step out and work harder to create more memorable experiences for my people. I know it’s a weird prayer, but I know I used to do those things more. As life gets busy, as business gets more complicated, it’s easy to forget to do it. Yet it’s important to me. Only time will tell what He puts into my brain.
PS 2: On Friday I wrapped up our fourth Watercolor Live online conference. We had a massive number of people attending from all over the world. I think it changed a lot of lives and helped a lot of people discover something that will give them joy for their entire lives. Several people told me this was their fourth Watercolor Live in a row; others were first-timers and said they will be back. Pretty much everyone said it was a life-changing experience — especially those who did not think they could paint and who have now progressed further than they could have imagined in a few days’ time. I’m thrilled that a large percentage have already signed up for next year.
PS 3: It’s about to become busy again. PleinAir Live, an online training event with mostly outdoor painting demos from top artists, is taking place in March. Then, in late March and early April, I take a group to paint cherry blossoms in Japan at PleinAir Japan, which is sold out. In May we hold our Plein Air Convention & Expo, which has only 61 seats left, and then it’s on to my Publisher’s Invitational painters’ retreat in the Adirondacks, which is already 70 percent sold out. Then summer begins! And when it’s over, I do Fall Color Week, in Carmel and Monterey this year and already 50 percent sold out. Then it’s Pas
Eric,
Wow and yes, it takes giving to have children. And they always, no matter who you talk to, bring joy, grief, happiness and sadness, and everything in between! Not to mention the expenses which I never thought of until the last one went off to college. I would have paid twice for the same experience! But I still wonder how we did it…
Anyway, 5 sons. Completely different, as if they were each from a different planet!
Great article!
Best Regards.
Great article…loved it ! I’m sure your kids loved it to…..I agree I would not change one thing about having kids……thanks again
So true about finding joy in selfless serving and being a parent is definitely that. Hopefully our kids will have learned that also by our example of serving others as well. I can tell that you are going to make a great grandfather someday!!!
Thank you for your Sunday blog! I have three sons and the best years of my life we’re raising them. Children are a blessing from God. They are all grown now with families of their own.
Happy Birthday, Brady, Grace, and Berkeley……..May God bless your year with all that you need on your paths!
Very well put, Eric, about loving your kids and how the parenting is never ending, but simply changing. One becomes an adviser for adult children, an anchor, a firewall, a backstop, a comforter, a supporter and an encourager. I think the most important thing I can do for my adult kids is pray for them. The next best thing I can do for my kids is to tell them that I believe in them, whether I have a practical suggestion or I just have a suggested approach for a problem that they might express to me – “You will figure it out. You’ll find the right answer and God will help you with it.” And from time to time, I tell them them how proud I am of them. Hard won realizations. Also would not trade the joys and pains, tears and fears and crises, as you tenderly say, Dad of triplets, for anything!!
Happy Birthday Grace, Brady, and Berkeley…Happy Birthday..
Wow, Quite an adventure. I’m glad you enjoyed the ride.
Well Eric, I am coming from the west since you provided me with my free ticket. wish it had been last year as it was in Colorado. However, I immediately made my hotel reservation and got a real deal before I knew whether I would have the money for the trip. It’s going to take me four or five days to drive to N Carolina but am looking forward to my first PACE and meeting all those artists I’ve seen on your show since covid. Thanks again for the ticket. I enjoy each of your Coffee Writeups and wish I hadn’t feared going into business myself.
EXCELLENT!
Eric, your article hit me right in the soul. I left Hungary in 1956, after the Revolution was beaten down. Just finished high school a few month earlier. Started dating a young man 10 years older. We left together, and got married in Austria a month later. We arrived four months later to America. I came from a close knit family, an only child. Very difficult for my parents to let me go, and it wasn’t easy for me either. Out of love, but also guilt I ended up writing over three thousand letters. (My father was counting.) 18 months later I signed up for correspondent school to learn art and illustration. I had to have a job to help with our financial survival, but also to improve my chances for a better position. My mother’s response was the following: “wish you had asked me before your decision. Could have said you have absolutely no talent for art”. After all that we went through since we left our homeland, her letter was devastating for me. My husband responded: “America is a land of opportunities. One needs all the encouragement to succeed. Wish you had seen the expression on the face of the guy who came to our home to welcome Marianne as a new student? It showed how amazed he was that we were refugees, and she was so enthusiastic.” Unfortunately mother kept up her negativity to everything I had done in my life. In spite of it, perhaps because of it, I raised two beautiful children. Studied art from courses at Montgomery county classes, later some private lessons, books, regular visits to the National Gallery in Washington D.C. My main interest is portraiture. Today, after nearly 20 years I still teach the subject in pencil and pastel. I paint portraits on commission, and other subjects in various media. I learned to be very positive towards my children, especially in adulthood. The pain that negativity brings to a person can be devastating!
Many thanks again Eric! Uplifting and encouraging is always the way. We have to remember to do this for ourselves, When David was downcast, he was faced being stoned to death by his own people. In 1 Samuel 30:6-8, “…but David emcouraged himself in the Lord his God.”
Happy Sunday!
Frances
Have been an artist for 50 years now. Started by showing my first artwork at the local farmers market. Worked for others for 4 years total and then earned my living through paintings while setting up side businesses to satisfy the physical side of life. Ended up doing exhibitions globally with pieces in the collections of many museums, governments, intl corporations and royal families. My work was the official presentations at the Calgary Olympics as well. Owned numerous galleries, art publishing operations, picture frame shops and exhibition enterprises globally over many decades. Have done hundreds of corporate art shows. Throughout this adventure have had many successes and some tremendous bombs as well. Was brought up with no money and started out with 0 inheritance contrary to the speculation of others. Inbetween have periodicaly been poor as a church mouse and seriously wealthy. Lately just come through a 13 year run of major surgeries and once again starting exhibitions and business ventures. now raising funds to build a cardiac/neurological care facility and medical research from the sale of the massive art collections have retained over my lifetime.
Anything is possible if you do not take no for an answer and just go forward with life. Remember Rembrandt, van gogh and all the others were in their day just the artist painting down the street. often with 0 encouragement. sometimes starving and other times with tenous patronage that could be withdrawn at a whim.
do not listen to the naysayers just trust in life and do the best that you can. never know what will open up. possibly the world!
richard dixon richarddixonfineart.com
Eric, I wish I could afford to come, but my finances cannot do it. Bummer. I have never painted outside before, but have gotten the bug to do it when it warms up a bit more.
I would love to be able to attend the Plein Air Conference in May, however I’m a teacher and can’t miss the last few weeks of school. But l love you news letters and hope to join a conference soon.
Welcome to Merritt Island Eric!
A little bird told me you were coming. We love it here and know you will too. I watch the rocket launches from my condo balcony in Cocoa Village over looking the marina and Indian River.
Thanks for all you do!
Cheers from my studio,
Diane Larson
Another epic article Eric..Moonshots away..
Helen again
We are 15 miles south of Kennedy space center on the Indian
River and can walk out and see the space shots
I hope you love the area with all the birds and wildlife refuges
And the beautiful Atlantic Ocean
I first met u in old Lyme Connecticut when plein air was just beginning there
You put a note book on a picnic table and said please sign if you are interested in a plein air magazine
Welcome to the beautiful space coast
Helen Jones here from Melbourne beach on the barrier island
We moved here in 1982 and have never regretted it
Beautiful sunrises and sunsets a every thing in between
I have been to 4 conventions and many fall color weeks
Keep doing what you are doing It is fantastic
Thank you for inspiring us to think bigger and to do bigger. This post and the last several posts have been amazing! Keep ‘em coming and again, thank you!
five, four, three, two,, one and we have a lift off…. you are alwayssuch an inspiration … Thank you
I look forward to you Sunday Coffee…..you are an inspiration. It turns out my husband was at the same Boy Scout Jamboree. While you enjoy your warm winter retreat Mark and I are in search of snow and I have been inspired by our trip to Aspen and an unexpected side trip to Redstone CO along the Crystal River and Marble too.
Jocelyne
I’ve had a couple of “moon shots” already. Some were related to my living circumstances and some have definitely art related. Having a painting of mine selected for a year-long show at our Governor’s Mansion was not planned, but sure has been nice. I’m currently working on another painting that I barely dreamed would be possible for me to accomplish and I’m being fairly paid to do it. Next will be a large narrative piece that will require I convince a few folks to pose for me. I don’t care if it never sells. But my heart says it has to be painted. Looking forward to attending the Plein Air Convention this year and another plein air trip with my husband traveling West in the Fall.
Wow where do you get all of your energy and still find time to paint? I am in awe 🙂
Does this include lodging and food or just lodging ?
I love your letter on Sunday. It’s personal, insightful , inspiring and Spiritual. I’m older than you (79) but I have life experiences with family, friends and communities as well. I have been creative all my life but thought I had to have a “real” job so I became a nurse, wife ( now married 56 yrs) and mother of 4. I have been painting in watercolor for 28 years. I had 2 wonderful teachers in Atlanta and have taken one workshop a year at least. I always give back to community. Taught Sunday school til all the kids went through, brownies and Girl Scouts, swim referee etc. I also set up a creative corner for kids with cancer at Camp Sunshine. Brushes for Vincent sent me many supplies for 9 years. I also started teaching art at night in local HS, moved to out county Art Gallery , two Retirement Homes then opened my home where I still continue to teach art and inspire others to sing their own song. You do it on a much larger scale and I’m grateful. Just did WCL and loved it. Also did PAL. We are retired on the coast and Southport NC is loaded with artists. I host workshops at Franklin Square Gallery. Would any of your artists like to teach a workshop here? Keep up the great work! Sending thanks to your whole team! Nancy Schulte
This was so inspiring. I must admit that I don’t read all newsletters but am so glad I did take the time today. Thank you for this, Its made me look at things differently. I came across a video on youtube recently that was all about the little wins adding up and that has made a huge difference to me as well. Kind Regards
YAYYYYYYY, HOORAYYYYY, for inventive, unexpected, colorful, joyful, fun, exciting, shaking-things-up, and making a splash!! LOL, I just left my husband a note that he will find in the morning that says that I just deleted 10,051 emails!! He’ll be so happy to hear and I hope it makes his day. Maybe not colorful, but he will find it a joyful thing, haha! Thanks for the reminder to BE CREATIVE in our living, not only in our artwork!! Eric, that is just the best and I am laughing with delight over it. Thank you, Dear Friend! Thanking God for such a friend as you, too!!
media
I am an 87 year old artist in an Assisted Living community, after a stroke that only 1 out of ten survivors exist. I have been painting in watercolor and other mediums since 1975 . I am witting a second book on the famous artist I from whom
gleaning knowledge from multiple. famous artist sinde the 70s, These include Alex Powers, Charles Reid, Marbury Hill Brown, Barbara Neichis, Don Andrews, Robert E. Wood, Jeanne Dobie and many others. Your watercolor Live keeps my brain active, and I am grateful.
Loved reading Fighting for Special! What you wrote is so true.
Peace and Bless!
PS I just wrote on the giant chalkboard in my studio, “Fight for special”.
Eric, I will say it again, you are a treasure of a human being. What an authentic, beautiful, and meaningful post. Thank you.
Thank you Eric for sharing and happy Sunday! Your Sunday Coffee is always helpful and inspiring! Many thanks!
Frances
Dear Eric, I am CERTAIN you will get a LOT of responses to this marvelous article! Thank you for it. If one is an artist, this shouldn’t be too terribly hard, but still, we need the push you gave us.
Every Tuesday I am part of a small Zoom group that meets to share what we are each doing in the way of projects in our lives. I decided that we should do a Silly Day once a month and everyone agreed. We start this week. I am wearing underpants on my head for one thing…..let’s see
where it goes! And what effect is has!
Thank you!
Lynne