I have to make this piece. It's a commission and worth a pretty penny. So, why do I keep putting it off? I need to blame something so I'll blame the crap weather and the bad news at my physical.
Who am I kidding?
The real fact is that I really hate doing commissions and I should have never said yes because of money. Where the ?%$*# is my patron?!!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Sunday Morning Art Stalking
I am horribly routine. I get up, drink my coffee, listen to music and surf the internet. It's truly the best time for me to look at art and sort out what's on my mind.
I just picked up New American Paintings MFA edition. It's always exciting to see what new graduate students are producing. As is the nature of looking at art, you find things you like and things you don't. I was really entertained by Chris Reno's artist statement, but I think I'm prone to like that kind of statement - funny, informal and witty. Perhaps it's a little forced in the 'hey, I'm not writing an academic statement', but that's cool. I should just get a subscription to NAP. I don't do subscriptions to art publications because most of the time they aren't worth it to me. The leading art magazines have more advertisements than art reviews it seems. I just wait until the year end editions to come out. I had one to Art On Paper. I miss them dearly.
On line, I like to see what my friends are doing or go to different gallery sites that I like. I had a really great experience being at the University of Iowa in the MFA program. I learned a lot and really got a handle about what my work is all about. Not everyone liked it. Some loved it. It's been nine years since I graduated and I'm still making work - success! I honestly think I was there at a really special time. Quite a few of the students I worked alongside are doing great. It inspires me and keeps me motivated. I tend to go to their sites to see what they are up to and what's going on with their work.
Look at the time! Must get dressed and go to brunch.
I just picked up New American Paintings MFA edition. It's always exciting to see what new graduate students are producing. As is the nature of looking at art, you find things you like and things you don't. I was really entertained by Chris Reno's artist statement, but I think I'm prone to like that kind of statement - funny, informal and witty. Perhaps it's a little forced in the 'hey, I'm not writing an academic statement', but that's cool. I should just get a subscription to NAP. I don't do subscriptions to art publications because most of the time they aren't worth it to me. The leading art magazines have more advertisements than art reviews it seems. I just wait until the year end editions to come out. I had one to Art On Paper. I miss them dearly.
On line, I like to see what my friends are doing or go to different gallery sites that I like. I had a really great experience being at the University of Iowa in the MFA program. I learned a lot and really got a handle about what my work is all about. Not everyone liked it. Some loved it. It's been nine years since I graduated and I'm still making work - success! I honestly think I was there at a really special time. Quite a few of the students I worked alongside are doing great. It inspires me and keeps me motivated. I tend to go to their sites to see what they are up to and what's going on with their work.
Look at the time! Must get dressed and go to brunch.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Now I'm Ready To Rumble
My friend J.J. bought a piece from me tonight in order to help me with my residency quest. I'm happy that another one of my Hot House Flowers has a new home. He not only bought the piece, but gave me some nails to try framing with and a red and yellow Mexican wrestler's mask. I'll try wearing it in the studio and see if it makes me feel muy fuerte!
Saturday, April 9, 2011
How Odd
So, two posts in one day. That's odd, but not as odd as when I arrived to my office. There was a young man playing Spanish guitar in the hallway. There must be some kind of recital thing going on. In any case, I cracked my office door to enjoy his strumming. Makes me more excited for my upcoming trip.
It's Not About Their Art, It's About Their Lives
Myvery rad friend Amy sent me a clipping from the New York Times Sunday Styles section. On it, the photo of a very well-to-do couple posed in a colorful, yet minimal space. He is sitting on a ultra plush violet velvet couch. She is standing near him in a crazy patterned colorful, floor-length dress with a hand on one hip that seemed a natural gesture for someone used to having their photograph taken. On the wall behind them, one of his paintings. It appears to be an older one. Perhaps one of the earlier works that launched his career and his name into the cannons of art history. The couple is John Currin and Rachel Feinstein. Feinstein had an exhibition recently at Lever House and the article featured the couple in conjunction with the event.
As I read, I had very mixed feelings. On the one hand, I can't help to feel my brown eyes become green. I work very hard at my art career and struggle with the financial aspect. How awesome it would be to not have money stand in the way. A Currin work will cost you one million dollars. I can't imagine what that must feel like! In any case, he's a talented painter, so you can't hate on him for that. I had to look up Feinstein's work because honestly, I didn't know she was an artist. I though she was Currin's muse. I checked out what she had at Marianne Boesky Gallery. Her work was good. Not great. So, why is it that her opening is packed with the New York art elite? Was her installation that spectacular? Is it the fame of Currin? Is it because she's pretty?
The latter doesn't hurt. As I read, it was apparent that Feinstein's work wasn't nearly as interesting as who she and Currin are and how they live. The writer goes on to say they are the ruling power couple of the art world and the most potent marital pairing since Pollock and Krasner. I'll expect an artist grant foundation in their name to emerge in the future. Until then, I think it's pretty awesome that they are unapologetic about how they are living. There is still the romantic idea that to be a true artist one must be drug-addled in some way, crazy in some way, socially retarded in some way and poor - well, at least act like you have no money. That may have flown in the 50's and earlier, but that is not the case for artists working today. Most artists that are successful treat their practice as a business. Currin is a business man and is taking care of business. If you are making money from your work, why should you not enjoy the rewards? If I commanded high dollars for my work, I probably wouldn't be driving a 10-year old Focus or have a studio in a basement with very little light. Oh, and the clothes.....(I have drifted into thoughts of some fantastic shopping)!
I've seen artists in my own community behave in such manner. As soon as they started to make big money, their cars got more expensive, their clothes got fancier....How could it not?
To sum up, this article was entertaining and informative. I'm not interested in their political stance although they make mention that they are known for being crazy right wing Republicans and correct this notion by saying they are actually more in the middle. That's really not of interest to me. It's fun to read about artist's lives, but I would rather read about what's really important - the art that they create.
As I read, I had very mixed feelings. On the one hand, I can't help to feel my brown eyes become green. I work very hard at my art career and struggle with the financial aspect. How awesome it would be to not have money stand in the way. A Currin work will cost you one million dollars. I can't imagine what that must feel like! In any case, he's a talented painter, so you can't hate on him for that. I had to look up Feinstein's work because honestly, I didn't know she was an artist. I though she was Currin's muse. I checked out what she had at Marianne Boesky Gallery. Her work was good. Not great. So, why is it that her opening is packed with the New York art elite? Was her installation that spectacular? Is it the fame of Currin? Is it because she's pretty?
The latter doesn't hurt. As I read, it was apparent that Feinstein's work wasn't nearly as interesting as who she and Currin are and how they live. The writer goes on to say they are the ruling power couple of the art world and the most potent marital pairing since Pollock and Krasner. I'll expect an artist grant foundation in their name to emerge in the future. Until then, I think it's pretty awesome that they are unapologetic about how they are living. There is still the romantic idea that to be a true artist one must be drug-addled in some way, crazy in some way, socially retarded in some way and poor - well, at least act like you have no money. That may have flown in the 50's and earlier, but that is not the case for artists working today. Most artists that are successful treat their practice as a business. Currin is a business man and is taking care of business. If you are making money from your work, why should you not enjoy the rewards? If I commanded high dollars for my work, I probably wouldn't be driving a 10-year old Focus or have a studio in a basement with very little light. Oh, and the clothes.....(I have drifted into thoughts of some fantastic shopping)!
I've seen artists in my own community behave in such manner. As soon as they started to make big money, their cars got more expensive, their clothes got fancier....How could it not?
To sum up, this article was entertaining and informative. I'm not interested in their political stance although they make mention that they are known for being crazy right wing Republicans and correct this notion by saying they are actually more in the middle. That's really not of interest to me. It's fun to read about artist's lives, but I would rather read about what's really important - the art that they create.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Black and Buenos Aires
Today, I just sent out a security deposit to the residency program in Buenos Aires. My departure date is quickly approaching although technically it is still more than a month out. I had a conversation recently in which it was suggested to me that I check out how things are in terms of race. I hadn't thought about that at all and took up the suggestion - 'Google - Black people - Buenos Aires'. I have to tell you, what came up was a bit off putting. I read what was posted on the site Expat Argentina: Blacks in Buenos Aires
http://expat-argentina.blogspot.com/2005/04/blacks-in-buenos-aires.html
There were quite a few black people warning to not visit Argentina because racism is very high along with a snobby class attitude. 'The people are rude', 'If you are traveling with someone white, you'll get ignored and your friend will be catered to'....and so it goes. I admit that I don't travel a whole lot because most of the time, its a matter of economics. I feel pretty confident in writing that I think a lot of blacks don't travel more because of the general assumption that you will get poor treatment or be met with hostility on site. I also must admit, I didn't realize that quite a few Nazis fled Germany and took up residence in Argentina. I should have paid more attention in World History! As I continued reading thinking what the hell am I getting myself into, I came to a simple sentence and maybe because I'm getting older and all those sayings I heard as a kid are resonating with me more now. The sentence was plain and simple - People are people. (This makes me starting humming some Depeche Mode, but I'll write about my confused musical tastes another time.)
People are indeed people. There is good and bad everywhere. I've been dissed racially when I've traveled, but I've been dissed in the city I live which happens to be my home town. The first time I went out of the country, I was really nervous because I have never traveled that far away. I went to Greece for a month and then a short visit to Paris, France. Greece was such an eye-opener. The country was absolutely gorgeous and now Greek food is one of my favorites. Most interesting, though, was how I was received. I didn't see very many black people with dark skin. I myself have dark skin. When my traveling companion and I were out and about, I would get stared at. Stared at lot! At first, I didn't think about it too much. As our trip progressed, it did start to wear me out. There was one day I didn't want to leave the apartment. One evening while we were sitting out on the terrace, I expressed my anxiety over this. My friend's aunt told me something that I never considered. First, she said that most blacks in Athens are from Africa and they are rich. The area of Athens we were living is good, but not especially a wealthy spot. When people are looking, they are probably thinking A. you're African and B. what are you doing slumming?. The second thing is, if you want to look at someone or something - you look. In the states, we are taught that to stare is to be rude. It was all very enlightening to me and it helped to change my perception and attitude. I took this new attitude with me to France. Sure, the bartender was unfriendly. Maybe he didn't like Americans or blacks or women or who knows and who cares. There were plenty of friendly French people that made me want to return.
So, what it really comes down to is the self. The only thing you can do is keep a healthy attitude while traveling to another country or traveling around your own country. While in Buenos Aires, I anticipate that most people will be confused as to where I'm from. According to the Expat site, most will think I'm from Brazil. I have twisty dreads, so some will probably think I'm Jamaican or African. Only until they hear me speak, will they find that I'm American. I'll be a walking guessing game. It happens to me sometimes here as well. I still occasionally surprise a person when I say I'm from Omaha, NE because they naturally think I'm from some place else. Must be my lot in life. In any case, traveling is an opportunity to debunk stereotypes, myths and a chance to see another part of the world.
So, I got some immunization shots yesterday. Within the next week, I have to order my materials for my art project and most importanly - find more money for this trip!
http://expat-argentina.blogspot.com/2005/04/blacks-in-buenos-aires.html
There were quite a few black people warning to not visit Argentina because racism is very high along with a snobby class attitude. 'The people are rude', 'If you are traveling with someone white, you'll get ignored and your friend will be catered to'....and so it goes. I admit that I don't travel a whole lot because most of the time, its a matter of economics. I feel pretty confident in writing that I think a lot of blacks don't travel more because of the general assumption that you will get poor treatment or be met with hostility on site. I also must admit, I didn't realize that quite a few Nazis fled Germany and took up residence in Argentina. I should have paid more attention in World History! As I continued reading thinking what the hell am I getting myself into, I came to a simple sentence and maybe because I'm getting older and all those sayings I heard as a kid are resonating with me more now. The sentence was plain and simple - People are people. (This makes me starting humming some Depeche Mode, but I'll write about my confused musical tastes another time.)
People are indeed people. There is good and bad everywhere. I've been dissed racially when I've traveled, but I've been dissed in the city I live which happens to be my home town. The first time I went out of the country, I was really nervous because I have never traveled that far away. I went to Greece for a month and then a short visit to Paris, France. Greece was such an eye-opener. The country was absolutely gorgeous and now Greek food is one of my favorites. Most interesting, though, was how I was received. I didn't see very many black people with dark skin. I myself have dark skin. When my traveling companion and I were out and about, I would get stared at. Stared at lot! At first, I didn't think about it too much. As our trip progressed, it did start to wear me out. There was one day I didn't want to leave the apartment. One evening while we were sitting out on the terrace, I expressed my anxiety over this. My friend's aunt told me something that I never considered. First, she said that most blacks in Athens are from Africa and they are rich. The area of Athens we were living is good, but not especially a wealthy spot. When people are looking, they are probably thinking A. you're African and B. what are you doing slumming?. The second thing is, if you want to look at someone or something - you look. In the states, we are taught that to stare is to be rude. It was all very enlightening to me and it helped to change my perception and attitude. I took this new attitude with me to France. Sure, the bartender was unfriendly. Maybe he didn't like Americans or blacks or women or who knows and who cares. There were plenty of friendly French people that made me want to return.
So, what it really comes down to is the self. The only thing you can do is keep a healthy attitude while traveling to another country or traveling around your own country. While in Buenos Aires, I anticipate that most people will be confused as to where I'm from. According to the Expat site, most will think I'm from Brazil. I have twisty dreads, so some will probably think I'm Jamaican or African. Only until they hear me speak, will they find that I'm American. I'll be a walking guessing game. It happens to me sometimes here as well. I still occasionally surprise a person when I say I'm from Omaha, NE because they naturally think I'm from some place else. Must be my lot in life. In any case, traveling is an opportunity to debunk stereotypes, myths and a chance to see another part of the world.
So, I got some immunization shots yesterday. Within the next week, I have to order my materials for my art project and most importanly - find more money for this trip!
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