This time it was easier to move on. This time she had Hal. Hal looked at her work and saw good in it and found alternatives. He was determined that she not lose what he called her “expressive side”.
With his support, she had created hundreds of bookends and pictures by floating paints in water. She sold her work at markets, to collectors, and was able to fit it in between bad times. Even when she’d lost work for a time, she had her art.
Sometimes she started a conversation with Bettina about it, for it amused her that they were both creating. Bettina didn’t share her amusement and explained rather than discussed. Bettina’s art was all her own, and special. It was, in fact, art, whereas Melissa was a good solid craftsperson. Melissa took that message on board and found other things to tal
