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By JON KLAVERKAMP
Rappahannock News Staff Writer
Jane Wilson, after eight years of marriage and waiting, is finally wearing a wedding ring.
After eight years? Well, what kind of a man, what kind of a husband would....?
Don’t worry about Jane; she’s looking well and doing just fine.
Surviving without a ring was all part of a deal she made with her husband Patton when they were married in 1976. Around that time Patton (Pat) had made the epic decision to pursue a career in art.
What’s wrong with that statement?
Career in Art? Unlikely, isn’t it? Even the sound is off. Listen: career-art. Odd bedfellows, to be sure.
Anyway when Pat, 31, decided on art for a career, Jane made him an offer. She would either pay his way through art school or support him as he worked at home for four years. He chose the latter.
What Jane got in return for her generosity wasn't so clear-cut. As an artist in training with an income to match, Pat wasn’t able to offer her an exciting choice between door number one, two, or three. The return on Jane’s investment would emerge slowly in the form of Pat’s artistic progress and successful showings at art galleries. The most valuable dividend, however, would be the confirmation that they could live as they chose to, with Pat practicing art.
’Diis is not a phase for Pat, for him painting is “a lifelong thing.” His interest in art is so sincere he won’t allow' himself to be a “starving artist.” The starving artist is not a productive one.
Since he will “never give up ‘art’ ” he must make a living at it, and that is exactly what Patton Wilson means to do. Neither Pat nor Jane would have it any other way, it seems.
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