UPDATE: David 18 - Goliath 0

Thanks to the steady rumblings generated from a simple blog and then tumblr post, which then reverberated all the way up on to the Wall Street Journal, and everywhere in between, I have sold every single Metro Card used subway card painting I had put up for sale at my Etsy shop.

All 18 of 'em.

The little charmers sat, barely noticed, and certainly unsold, for 3 months. Until the MTA ordered me to stop "selling them." Or, better said, ordered me to stop not selling them. Do I have to tell you how delicious it was to see them snapped up, the entire collection, in less than 24 hours?

Yeah, it was pretty tasty. 


I had to turn people away, with the promise of a speedy email as soon as I create some more Metro Card used subway card paintings. 

I've accepted commissions from determined New Yorkers who know what they want and accept nothing less.


And I got nice email from Mark Heavey, Chief of Marketing and Advertising for the MTA, asking that I, 

"simply change the listing on Etsy to read something like “Original hand-painted art on a NY transit fare card,” and refrain from using an image of an original, unpainted MetroCard in the listing, you may continue to do what you are doing."

Done, Mark. Actually, I did that last week and the Intern still indicated that I should make arrangements for a licensing agreement. 

But let's not bicker.

I have to say that I really liked having the "before" image included. But, come to think of it, who  really doesn't know what it looks like before I paint one? 


I pointed out to Mr. Heavey that I had turned the somewhat sour lemon of his unpaid intern's  "cease and desist" letter into a rather sweet, refreshing citrus beverage.


He wrote:

"I wish you continued success with your “fare card art” project....the media does love a good David vs. Goliath story. . . . Continue to make lemonade!"

Ok, so you all can lay off Mr. Heavey.

At least until the next time.

Now, off to the post office and to find your new homes, little troublemakers :

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