[Inner_Firefly]

I emailed T an image of an oil painting I did of her cat, with a note to say I love her and thank her.

I was too shy to say that it was a gift for T. I was afraid of imposing and rejection. I was going to wait until I can see her face in person, to judge whether I should give it to her.

T replied saying it was a delightful surprise, and that she forwarded the image to her friend, Macy.

A few days later, Macy emailed me asking to buy the painting because she loves it.

From Googling I found out Macy lives with T, and is T's best friend/possibly partner. .

I sell my paintings for a living and desperately need money , but feel confused whether it's OK to sell it to Macy.

I replied saying it was meant as a gift for T, but I felt unsure whether T wants it, because T didn't really directly praise it or say she loves it. I said if Macy really wants it, I can sell for $300.

I still feel conflicted whether I did the right thing. I will probably explain to T that it was a gift, and refuse money from Macy, but at the same time it is hard to turn down money when I'm struggling.

update: Macy emailed me again to reassure me that it's OK to take her money, and that she will make sure T can share the paintings. I feel better.

[Leah123]

Wow, what a dilemma.

What if you were to sell this paining and make another, smaller one for your T. As she knows it's valued at $300, she may not want to accept the current one, especially knowing that the money would be useful to you and that Macy already wants to buy it and you've named a price, a step toward selling, so the painting is partly already spoken for?

[Inner_Firefly]

Thank you Leah for your thoughtful advice.

It is already a small painting, and 99% likely that Macy lives with T, so T can enjoy the painting .

However your idea is still useful as a reference, and I will consider a solution based on your advice. Thank you soooo much for caring.

It sounds like selling it to Macy would be a great option that would fulfil your desire for your T to enjoy the picture and to help you out financially. She sounds really nice to reassure you like that.
I think it's very likely that your T loves it- she wouldn't have shown it to Macy otherwise would she? Do you think Macy saying T can share it is an indirect way of saying they live together?

[guilloche]

It sounds like it's all going to work out, I'm glad to hear that!

I wonder if your T was trying to help you out, sort of sneaky-like? Maybe she loved the painting, and knew that it was alot of work and effort to make it, and would feel bad about taking it for free... but couldn't legally buy it herself (would that be a dual-relationship?). So, having Macy buy it means she'll be able to "accept" it and have it at her home, but you also get a fair price for it?

Oh, and what a generous thing for you to do for your T! Very kind of you! I'm glad that you're going to be able to get some money for it too though!

[AustenFan]

What about confidentiality?? Your T forwarded your email, which in turn gave her friend your email address, and allowed her to contact you... Yikes!

[Inner_Firefly]

Echos Myron, Thank you for your kind and thoughtful reply, you made me feel better. Yes, I agree with you, this probably means T loves it. Macy referred to the cat as "our cat", so this means they do live together. Thank you for your support and help!

Guilloche, You are so smart and good at analyzing the situation. Your post made me feel a lot better. Your description makes a lot of sense, you are the best. I really appreciate you for helping me think it through.

Austen Fan, Thank you, I agree, your concern is very valid, and T would normally never do this, she always has my best interests in mind, but this situation worked out well in this case, so it is fine.