How a Four-year-old Girl became a National Interest

When the Manchester Art Gallery opened up a submission for its Academy of Fine Arts Exhibition in 1993…

They received over 1000 entries.

A six-member panel of judges chose 150 paintings for inclusion in the exhibition.

One of the selected paintings was "Rhythm of the Trees."

It was praised for its "color balance, composition, and technical skill."

It was painted by Carly Johnson.

But Carly's mum described the painting as "shapeless blobs."

Even Carly said it was "just a little pattern."

So why did their view differ from the panel's?

Well, that's 'cause Carly Johnson was just a four-year-old girl from Chorley, Lancashire.

Carly painted the painting while playing in her grandfather's studio.

So when her grandfather submitted some of his work for the Manchester exhibition, Carly's mum slipped Carly's painting in as well,"just for the heck of it."

The panel, unaware of Carly's age, selected and praised her painting.

And when her age was revealed…

… it made headlines as people mocked the gallery for displaying "toddler art".

Lol.

This is reason #238,178,014 why I think abstract art is utter BS.

The panel's opinion would likely have changed if they knew Carly's four years old.

Anyway, on the first day of the exhibition…

… the gallery received six offers to buy Carly's painting.

And it was sold for £295.

I'm willing to bet ten bucks… besides her mum, no one would have paid attention to the painting of a four-year-old…

After all, it's just "patterns" and "shapeless blobs".

But…

Since it's been displayed in an exhibition and made national news…

Six people were willing to buy the painting.

See, status sells.

And it's crucial to your success.

Or, as Direct Response marketing OG, Dan Kennedy puts it:

"Your growth will have less to do with your talent, your skill, your expertise, or your deliverables than it will your ability and willingness to create and exploit your own status."

Carly went on to create another painting, and people bid on it.

Before the exhibition, Carly was just a four-year-old.

But after the exhibition and media buzz…

…she was the four-year-old whose painting people were willing to bid on.

So if you're in a service-based business…

Yes, your skill matters, but your success is much more about your status.