Yesterday is history.  Tomorrow is a mystery.  And today?  Today is a gift.  That’s why we call it the present.  ~Babatunde Olatunji

The holidays, which are an unusually a stressful time for most people… are even more so for artists.  Visual artists, who have to cram art making into an already full life, are now faced with the additional burden of dealing with traffic, crowds, guests from out of town and unnatural amounts of spending.  So for all you last minute shoppers, I have compiled a list of the Best Holiday Gifts for Artists… even if the artist happens to … Continue Reading

“Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind. ”  Lionel Hampton

By the time most artists come to see me, they are usually beaten down and depressed by the struggles of the artworld.  They have been abused by their galleries, taken for granted by their collectors, misunderstood by their families and exhausted from juggling real life with creative need. It is so easy to forget how special you are, when there is no one around to remind you, but you.  So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I give you my list of 10 … Continue Reading

“A rejection is nothing more than a necessary step in the pursuit of success.”  Bo Bennett

Our summer juried shows are a mixed blessing for me.  Each year I marvel at the infinite and diverse ways in which artists find to express themselves.  I admire and respect each and every artist for the extraordinary effort they make every day to share their gift. Again, we were happily overwhelmed with a large number of excellent quality entries, and the competition for this show was very stiff. The 93 artists in this exhibition were … Continue Reading

Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you’ll be criticized anyway . — Eleanor Roosevelt

When you look at a piece of food on your plate and decide not to eat it, do you know why?  You may be able to answer that question by saying you don’t like the taste, or you are not in the mood, but that doesn’t really address the root of the question, “Why?” Can you tell me why you don’t like the taste?  Can you tell me why you are not in the mood?  I … Continue Reading

“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count.  It’s the life in your years.” ~Abraham Lincoln

It’s not something we like to think about, but collectors, as well as artists, need to face the fact that owning art, regardless of whether it is yours, or it is acquired, comes with certain responsibilities.  There are the obvious responsibilities concerning documentation, insurance, protection, care and handling.  There are even laws that govern the destruction or modification of art. … Continue Reading

“In basketball — as in life — true joy comes from being fully present in each and every moment, not just when things are going your way.” Phil Jackson

We humans are strange creatures. Even when you take the creative element out of the equation, most people are never satisfied. It makes sense that would be true for creative types, as the essence of creative process depends on the need to improve whatever was last. After all, if an artist felt they had created an ultimate masterpiece that could not be improved upon, … Continue Reading

“Do not let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one.”
John Wooden

I am faced with a difficult challenge in the coming weeks. Each summer, our gallery hosts a juried show that offers a solo exhibition or group exhibition to selected artists. Most juried shows, are by nature, an eclectic blend of a juror’s vision. By definition, this show is a subjective and singular vision, based on my personal tastes and aesthetic. So little research has been done in the area of developing a sense of taste, a … Continue Reading

“A bank is a place that will lend you money only if you can prove that you don’t need it. ” Bob Hope

There has been a lot of talk lately about the economy improving.  I don’t know about you, but not many people I come in contact with have experienced much change. Nonetheless, change is happening, maybe not as fast as everyone would like, but there is hope on the horizon. One of the more subtle indicators, is to look at the availability of grant … Continue Reading

“Success is not the key to happiness.  Happiness is the key to success.  If you love what you are doing, you are successful.”

If you haven’t taken the time to think about how YOU define success, you are doing your career a disservice.  With all the artists I have talked to over the years, I have found there is a wide spectrum of what an artist wants.  Some artists could care less about ever showing in a museum or gaining any historical significance, they just want to make enough money so they can quit their day job. Other artists … Continue Reading

“When bankers get together for dinner, they discuss Art. When artists get together for dinner, they discuss money.” Oscar Wilde

Maybe it was growing up in Beverly Hills that gave me an acute sense of monetary reality. Regardless, as a child, it became apparent at quite an early age that money was a central issue in most people’s lives and I needed to pay particular attention. So, it would naturally follow that “the Money Stuff,” would eventually find it’s way to Art Advice. If you are an artist, married to an artist, related to an artist, or just love … Continue Reading