My 17 year old daughter has a boyfriend.  

I'm pretty okay with it.  

He's a nice young man and she seems very happy.  And I guess it's time, she's almost a grown woman after all, but she seems so young and he breaks her heart I will break him!

It's a bit of a stretch to compare my first born child to my paintings, but there is a similar bittersweet feeling I experience when one of my paintings finds a new home and I'm sure other artists experience the same feeling.  

I sold a painting recently to a lovely couple, originally from Switzerland and somehow their story became intertwined with the story of my painting.  I was happy for them that they had found the perfect painting and it made that painting just a little more special for me which ultimately made it just a little harder to part with.  I know that painting has found a good home, it already has a special spot in their home and I know it will be looked after. 

So paintings or daughters, I'm kind of ready to let you go but forgive if I get a little misty eyed as you walk out the door.