After the first year of exhibiting my paintings at the Saint James Art Show, I understood simple easels were not a stable means for public viewing, so my brother-in-law, Lewis constructed a standing wooden four-panel hinged frame. He used hardware cloth for the panels so that I could hang my paintings with drapery hooks.
I was quite proud of my new display and after its first show introduction I removed it from its transport location on top of my vehicle, and leaned it against the side of my house near my side door that faced my neighbor’s sloping driveway. Little did I know my brand new prize possession would be looked upon with disdain by my next door uphill neighbor.
The following day I heard her critical demand that I remove the setup from her sight “because it is garbage!” She did not want to see my “trash” when she walked down her driveway,
From then on, although it took much effort to haul the setup downhill on my long drive on the opposite side of the house, my valued display panels were stored in the back yard.
For good measure, I never told Lewis about the incident because to him and me, that setup was a treasure and it would be of great value for some critics to learn the difference between trash and treasure.