Painting Traded For Grilled Cheese Sandwich Sells For $350,000
June 15, 2022
A painting by Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis that was traded for a meal at a restaurant has sold for $350,000.
Irene and Tony Dema / Credit: Jon Dunford/Miller & Miller Auctions
According to 69-year-old Irene Demas, the story starts in Ontario in the early 70s.
Irene and her husband Tony opened a restaurant called The Villa. On The Villa's opening day, the chef had one too many beers, and Tony asked his wife to step in.
"I knew nothing honestly about food," Irene told Today. "But I did know how to make a grilled cheese, so I thought, 'OK, our special's just going to be grilled cheese sandwiches. That's it.' "
The sandwiches were a big hit. Sometime around 1973, the Demas' met Audrey and John Kinnear who became regulars at the restaurant. John always ordered a grilled cheese sandwich.
After a while, the couples decided to start making some trades.
"After a while, he started bringing in some of his art and asked my husband if we could trade for their lunches for his art," Irene explained. "We happened to really love his art. He did some very beautiful watercolors … he did a lot of European kind of stuff, English countrysides and beautiful animals."
One day, John walked in with paintings that weren't his own. Irene remembers that John told the story of the artist he'd met who had limited mobility (Maud Lewis had rheumatoid arthritis) and was of simple means. He set up six artworks from different artists and presented them to Irene and her husband.
"There was one special painting that really jumped out at me that was very bright, and it was a little black truck. All the other ones I didn't care for had about two or three different versions of cats … I was pregnant at that time. And (I thought), 'Well, if it's a boy, we can hang it in in his room' … it turns out I picked the right one."
millerandmillerauctions.com
Maud Lewis, who lived most of her life in poverty, was known for her cheery paintings of life in rural Nova Scotia. She passed away in 1970 at the age of 69. In the years since, her fame grew.
"It's just too bad she didn't live long enough to really reap the benefits of her art," Irene told The Guardian.
With the encouragement of their children, the couple decided to put the work up for sale.
On May 14, the piece sold for $350,000, as reported on Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.
"If it weren't for the grilled cheese, it just would have been another Maud Lewis painting coming up for auction," Irene said. "I know it would have gone it would have broken all records because it is such a special and unique painting and with the letters, but I think it was the grilled cheese story that really let everybody in the world know was there."
Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz
These Cat Reactions To Owners Calling Them Through Security Cameras Are Absolutely Hilarious
Kentucky Nurse Saves Drunk Raccoon With CPR After Dumpster Mishap
Firefighters And Public Works Team Crawl Quarter Mile To Rescue Blind And Deaf Dog
Shoulder Labrum Tear Symptoms And The Causes Behind Them
The Mechanical Nurse At Guy’s Hospital Is Equal Parts Creepy And Brilliant
'Everyone Gets A Kick Out Of It': Baby Born At McDonald’s Parking Lot Has Perfect Nickname
Epic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ Flashmob Takes Over the Streets of Paris
Texas Cheerleaders Perform Emotional 9/11 Tribute That Brings Crowd To Tears
FDNY Honors Bride Whose Father Died On 9/11 With Touching Wedding Surprise
Honey Badger Picks Fight With Elephant, Gets Hilariously Booted Away
Tiny Soccer Rivals Choose Hugs Over Competition