Recap: Tim and I each donated an original framed piece of art for the Forestry Education Auction held at the Lumberjack Dinner, 2016 Sierra Cascade Logging Conference.https://sneakingbliss.com/2016/02/10/ready-to-rumble-bliss/

Going head to head. What married couple doesn’t thrive on a little friendly competition?

The auctioneer explained that bidders would bid, not knowing which piece other bidders were bidding on. The winner would have the option of buying both, each at the high bid price. If both weren’t taken, the second place bidder had the option of the “left-over” piece. If not taken then, the “left-over” would go back out on live auction.

The auctioneer brought us both to the front of the audience with our pieces and asked me to say something about my piece, but before I could answer, Tim said his piece was “…for the children.”

How do I top that? “For the children.” Really, Tim?

With that introduction, the bidding started and rapidly climbed over $2,000. This was pretty exciting. Since Tim began donating art to this auction, his pieces typically sell for $700 to $960. Clearly we were in new territory.

Soon the bidding narrowed down to two competitors, head to head.

$2,200

$2,300

back again

$2,400

The auctioneer sat Tim at one bidder table, me at the other. I knew the guy bidding at my table and taunted him to bid more, for the children of course.

Up the price went

$2,500

$2,600

SOLD for $2,700!

Then the moment of truth was revealed.

“Uncle Sam” mixed media by Tim Livingston rocked the competition, scoring $2,700 for Forestry Education.

Tim’s “Uncle Sam” was the winning art. Both top bidders wanted Tim’s piece so, my “left-over” went back on the block for bidding.

$900

$1,000

$1,100

SOLD

$1,200

“Food Chain” watercolor by Mary A Livingston sold for $1,200 to support Forestry Education. Not bad for “left-overs.”

Hmph. Apparently, I need to step up my game.

Tim soundly kicked my behind.

All in all, we’re pretty stoked that between both pieces of art at the live auction, and the autographed books at the silent auction our contributions brought in over $4,000 to Forestry Education.

Competitive success!