My brother tried to become an artist and held a small exhibition. Almost nothing sold. He acted like he didn't care, but I knew he was crushed.
I asked a friend he had never met to buy one painting using money I gave him. My brother was thrilled that a stranger had connected with his work. The painting is currently hidden in my friend's storage room because bringing it home would expose everything. My brother eventually chose another career, but he still remembers his "first real customer."