Today, April 29, 2010. One day away from the end of a very long corporate road for me. When I left school I became self employed as a sign painter. Painting signs on trucks, vans, paper signs for local grocery stores, etc. After seven years of that I took up an oportunity to work as a photographer for a major television station in Toronto. That was a two year exprience but was not the art that I really longed to enjoy. The need for income, the need to eat, etc led me to another career as a sales person for one of canada's largest photo retailers where I gained valuable skills over the next fourteen years in how to present product to the public. I learned how to talk to people of many backgrounds and learn of their interests and what made them what they have become.
In my 14th year I was presnted with an opportunity to work for Canada's largest Financial institution. Still wanting to be an artist but needing stil to eat, etc, I became a banker.
Sometimes we think we are in the wrong boat. We think this is just a big mistake, why am I here? But when I look back over 11 years with the bank I see many experiences gained in dealing with people and their most personal effects; their money. I learned extensively about beaurocracy, management, people skills, dealing with clients of all walks of life. I gained insight into what makes business work and what makes business fail. I learned that there is something for everyone, never to judge a book by it's cover. Most of all I gained a deep understanding how people feel about life. When you are dealing with peoples money you tend to see the truth about them, and I did and I take from that lessons that I employ into every painting I do.
When I see a patron standing in front of a painting of mine, tears flowing down their face because it reminds them of a place o a thing that they loved, I know that some of what went into that painting came from my corporate world experience and the lives I interacted with during that time.
So now, the time has come. Tomorrow I leave this banking world and step out into the world of self employment again. Not at all in the same mind set as I held 27 years ago as a sign painter. More mature, much more experienced, and most of all, with a fire, a passion to present this great lands georgraphy to the world on canvas.
Follow my journey from Here to There, as I make my way into the full time world of canadian Art.
Robert McAffee
In my 14th year I was presnted with an opportunity to work for Canada's largest Financial institution. Still wanting to be an artist but needing stil to eat, etc, I became a banker.
Sometimes we think we are in the wrong boat. We think this is just a big mistake, why am I here? But when I look back over 11 years with the bank I see many experiences gained in dealing with people and their most personal effects; their money. I learned extensively about beaurocracy, management, people skills, dealing with clients of all walks of life. I gained insight into what makes business work and what makes business fail. I learned that there is something for everyone, never to judge a book by it's cover. Most of all I gained a deep understanding how people feel about life. When you are dealing with peoples money you tend to see the truth about them, and I did and I take from that lessons that I employ into every painting I do.
When I see a patron standing in front of a painting of mine, tears flowing down their face because it reminds them of a place o a thing that they loved, I know that some of what went into that painting came from my corporate world experience and the lives I interacted with during that time.
So now, the time has come. Tomorrow I leave this banking world and step out into the world of self employment again. Not at all in the same mind set as I held 27 years ago as a sign painter. More mature, much more experienced, and most of all, with a fire, a passion to present this great lands georgraphy to the world on canvas.
Follow my journey from Here to There, as I make my way into the full time world of canadian Art.
Robert McAffee
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