In 2004, I decided to take the direct marketing approach for selling some of my art. It was in the dead of winter, mid-February and 20 below zero outside. I sat down inside and wrote Tiger Woods a letter. Along with the letter, I sent him a copy of my first book, a copy of my CD, newspaper … clippings about me and my art, photos of myself, and photos of my extreme backyard golf course:

"Let me introduce myself as Ben Ploughman, a self-taught Canadian folk artist from the province of Newfoundland. I've enclosed two photos of a new piece of golf folk art I just finished in my studio. Since the story behind this piece titled 'Tiger's Training School', centers around you and a group of golfers in training, the Newfoundland fishermen, I've taken the liberty of finding your mailing address and communicating to you in writing. If you read the one page story on the Cod Closure you'll realize that things are not all that well here in Atlantic Canada. It's my job to tell the story of the fishermen and their families..."

I did not hear back from tiger or anyone else. My letter to tiger and the support material that I sent must have ended up in a waste paper basket and not on Tiger's desk.
So now it is your turn. You can be the proud owner of a piece of art that could have been hanging on the wall in the home of elite golfer Tiger Woods. But instead, it is hanging on your wall.
Medium: plywood, softwood, recycled laths, oil stain, acrylic paint, nails, paper, twine, recycled rubber hose.
Price: $90,000 Canadian Dollars, Tax Included

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