“Art is creative for the sake of realization, not for amusement: for transfiguration, not for the sake of play. It is the quest of our self that drives us along the eternal and never-ending journey we must all make.”
- Max Beckmann
I really hesitated to write about my not so great experience at a recent festival in Chattanooga. I did not want to bring attention to my disappointing experience - however, I am glad I did. It has been very uplifting to read all the suggestions and comments posted and to share that experience - to share that step of my journey as L. Duane Jackson reminded me when he said,“Chattanooga is part of the journey. Your star is ascending so be patient and continue on the path”. To remember that “for every piece of art, there is a collector out there. Getting them together is the trick.” Thank you BJ Wright for reminding me of that! I agree, my pieces often do eventually find their way to the right homes - patience is a virtue - I was taught that over and over again. My friend Ginny Herzog who told me, “we need to look at the bigger picture at a particular show…patience pays off”. [there is that word patience again...hmmm] Yes, thank you Ginny, you are right, it is all part of the bigger picture, the journey if you will. Fellow artist Kathy Casey who commented, “Hopefully, the MEDIA will give us a break and quit telling everyone not to buy lattes, eat out or buy non essential things (like ART).” How sad that we are so completely ruled by the fear that the media instills -perpetuates. I know the pain is real, I know the pain is VERY REAL, but it seems to me we are only prolonging any hope of recovery by living in fear. I am tired of living in fear! Mary Buek wrote, “I think it’s fear. . . the fear of spending any money at all… It’s tough to justify buying art when you’re eating ramen noodles for supper every night….” Ok, I understand that, but I refuse to live in fear, I choose to focus on “the quest of our self that drives us along the eternal and never-ending journey we must all make.” There are many other thougthful and supportive comments and I appreciate them all. Time to move on… time to take another step in the journey…
"Vital Serenity" 40" x 40" work on canvas 2007
I am pleased to announce that the above work is featured on page 24 of the just released 2009 Studio Visit book [they call it a magazine] published by Open Studios Press, Boston, MA. Artists for this publication were chosen in a national competition juried by Michael Klein, Independent Curator. Studio Visit volume 5, is part of a new series of books offering artists an effective venue through which to introduce their work to a serious national audience of art professionals. Each volume features approximately 150 artists, who have been selected by professional curators. Studio Visit will be received by over two thousand curators and galleries throughout the country as well as private art collectors and art enthusiasts.
Painting is in a private collection.
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In addition to be an exhibiting artist, I own a fine art printing business for artists. Too many times I’ve seen an artist come in with the expectation that one show will make their name, or at least be a success. This is such a recipe for disappointment - being an artist you are essentially running a small business. Successful business owners need to have a longer time horizon they are working on that any single event. I try to evaluate progress on a yearly basis which evens out the ups and downs of a particular event.
Your work is wonderful! I doubt it’s the cause of any of the “downs” we inevitably hit.
I love”Vital Serenity”. Congratulations on being featured in Studio Visit. I have told you before and I’ll say it again. Your work has enormous appeal. I hope for all our sakes that the economy recovers (especially before I get too old to work any more!). And thank you for letting us know about your unfortunate experience at the festival. I had a bad festival experience a few years ago ( I was surrounded by cheap imported goods that were selling like hotcakes). I was shocked into not doing another festival as of yet. I admire those who persist.
Love the Beckman quote too…