Nepalese artwork finds way to Empty Nest

The tightly wrapped cardboard tube was delivered to our door by UPS.  Even though it was addressed to me, I had Ginnie open it up for a surprise.  What she pulled out and unrolled flabbergasted her, like it was April Fools Day in October.  It was a 26 x 17 inch acrylic color on canvas of Ginnie and me wearing our horse shirts (a whole other story).  How did I purchase this hilarious painting?  Easy. 
We have an artist buddy in Nepal, Sujan Tamang.  I messaged him a snap shot of us wearing our horse shirts, and he did the rest.  I will have the horse-shirt painting framed. It will soon join 15 other Sujan paintings on our walls, including a full-size family portrait.     
Some of the other pictures that I have had Sujan paint for us include the campuses of both Iowa State and the University of Iowa, Caitlin Clark, the Bean in Chicago, and an old abandoned farm house outside of Franklin, Iowa, before and after its roof blew off. 
How did we get to know Sujan Tamang?  Ernie Schiller, a former educator from Donnellson, met Sujan when Ernie was in Nepal on a mission trip in 2015 following an earthquake that practically destroyed Nepal.  Recognizing Sujan's talent and need, Ernie brought a number of Sujan's works of art back to the United States and sold them as a benefit for the Rebuild Nepal Education Foundation.  
Sujan and I soon made contact through Meta's Messenger.  I found out that if I had something I wanted him to paint, all I had to do was send him the pic on Messenger.  Sujan would say something like, “Well, I dunno.  I'll try.”  Then he'd send us this knock-out painting that would roll your socks up.  Incredible!

Paying him was easy also.  Sujan would never state a price.  He just said, “Pay whatever you like.”  (I hate that.)  I would make out a check to the Rebuild Nepal Education Foundation, send it to Ernie Schiller, and he made sure Sujan received it.  Unreal.  A person in rural Iowa can send a photograph through Messenger to an artist halfway around the world, and a professional painting is returned.
Sujan Tamang's watercolors—a lot of them are of Mt. Everest—remind me of Wendell Mohr's watercolors, that we have a lot of also.  In fact, we collect a lot of artwork, and with our cathedral walls and ceiling, we have plenty of wall space for artwork.  And we fill it up.  When we run out of in-the-house wall space, I hang in the garage.  What the heck?  (Ginnie just rolls her eyes.)  When you pull in the garage, what's better to look at, a nice painting, or plywood?
Artwork, I find, has a relaxing effect, on me anyway, like a purring lap cat.  You can't be too thin, have too much money, or own too many pieces of art. 
Note: Following the devastating flooding, loss of life and property damage recently in Nepal, Ernie Schiller is planning another humanitarian relief trip to Nepal.  Money for Sujan's paintings can still be sent to the Rebuild Nepal Education Foundation, 2224 204th Ave., Donnellson, IA 52625, and ear marked “Sujan Tamang.”  You can find Sujan Tamang on Meta
Money for disaster relief can be sent to the same address.
Have a good story?  Call or text Curt Swarm in Mt. Pleasant at 319-217-0526 or email him at curtswarm@yahoo.com.  Curt is available for public speaking.