Friday, January 30, 2009
As any man can tell you, there’s such a thing as “too soon.”
In 2004, while I was working at Lehman Brothers, a colleague introduced me to a bartending artist who specialized in portraits of his bar’s customers. The artist also did a huge, action-packed painting of the traders on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange for one of his Wall Street-employed customers. The art was so detailed and true-to-life that every woman who saw it, including me, demanded to know the name of the company that employed the gorgeous guy in the lower left corner of the painting. (Out of intellectual curiosity only, of course.) If I remember correctly, the NYSE said it was the first time it had allowed someone to come in and take photographs for such a project. I thought this would be a cute little story for my acquaintances at a business-oriented publication, but no one there shared my enthusiasm.
Five years later, the painting bartender’s work has hit the front page of the New York Times. Many congratulations to John Varriano of the Four Seasons for finally getting the recognition you deserve!
John Varriano, photographed by Suzanne DeChillo for The New York Times
I love that he got his recognition… it gives me hope
Hey, WendyB, I’d have to say that instead of suffering from premature enthusiasm, you relish emphatic foresight. I happy for you and even more happy for Mr. Varriano.
Hi there-great talent so deservedly recognised at long last, well done to him!
Wow! You called it!
I know you know we all know you’re fabulous, but if you want an award to prove it come my blog to pick it up
x
How amazing, I am happy that he got the regognition he deserves!
That’s great news for him!
I suffer from high expectations.
I’ve given you an award.
Come and see.
Sounds well-deserved to me! x
happy for him. after all these hard work, a guy deserves something. hopefully you will get some paintings of your desire…. : )
Its great to see an artist getting recognition—he looks amazing!
It’s fantastic that his talent was recognized, yeah. Those paintings look great.
What an incredibly talentled man! Isn’t it exciting to see people you know finally get the applause they deserve? I’ve been watching a few of my friends finally get recognition after over a decade of hard work and dedication to their art. It’s so much fun to be able to say, “I knew that guy when he was bussing tables!”
Oh, and you need to find us a picture of that NYSE painting since I am quite curious now… intellectually.
You are too funny, WB! His portraits look really insightful!
xoxox,
CC
That’s awesome, good for him!
Very much enjoying your posts! You have beautiful taste, and your thoughts and musings are so inspirational and fun. and I also love your message, “wear what you want”
talk to you
peace and love
kissssssssssss
amy
http://flyingakite.blogspot.com
One pro of premature enthusiasm is the possibility of parading your trendspotting abilities for all lesser humans to see. This guy is seriously talented!
I love when artists finally get their due. YAY!
Thanks for the introduction, and what a great idea. His stuff looks great from what I can see.
Oh and about Lehman brothers, good thing you sold your stock when you did;)
I have a question about NY, is Manhattan walkable? does it take long to get to all the main attractions or do you have to take taxis?
Mahalo Jen, I answered you on your blog. Yes, with caveats.
Loved this story!