To the editor:

I am writing this hoping to find a young budding artist named Eli. Eli is about 5 years old. He was in the Copt/Feiden Gallery at 815 Mass. with his mom last week. After looking around at the art for awhile, he announced to his mother that he was going to draw “Okay Mountain” when he got home.  His mom distractedly acknowledged him with “Mmm. Hmmm.”

After he repeatedly announced that he was going to draw “Okay Mountain,” Mark Feiden, who was minding the gallery, asked him if he wanted to draw “Okay Mountain” right now. Eli said, “Yes,” so Mark gave him paper and pencil and he confidently drew “Okay Mountain.” Eli and Mark decided the value of his drawing, Mark labeled it, and hung it up for sale. 

This week, a customer came to the gallery, saw the drawing, asked about it, heard the story, and bought Eli’s drawing. The customer has a son who is an artist whose name happens to be Eli. His son was encouraged at an early age by many, and his father is paying it forward. I hope that Eli’s mother or someone who knows him will read this letter and tell Eli to come to the gallery to collect his money.

Thank you Eli, Eli’s mom, Mark, and David (the customer who bought Eli’s drawing) for this “wonder-full” story!