The Future of Galleries

Artist Ramon Trif uses his room's wall to paint on.

Galleries Have Always Been Standard

 
Since the dawn of humanity, dating back to cave paintings being discovered, it is clear that a space is typically assumed to exhibit one's artwork. After all, it goes hand in hand with logic: I have this object I need to show off, so I'm going to need somewhere to put it. Cavemen did this by painting directly onto stone walls. The Renaissance, known for history's greatest masters all used cathedrals, castles and museums to immortalize its masterpieces.

What Could Cause an End to Traditional Galleries?

 
You would never think that any factor could cause a decline or all out elimination of such a simple commodity. How could displaying artwork among walls and within gallery spaces be done for? I'll admit that I never envisioned even in my darkest prophecies that something would come along and bring the reliance of galleries to a halt. This indeed arrived in the form of a globally-scaled health pandemic. It's not my style to discuss serious outside topics that may come off gloomy, but I'm making an exception with this one. The reason I feel is so important as it pertains reserving the future of art and its display. The pandemic hit us full force and sent us into a three-month lock down back in March of 2020. Now, it's July and the world has permanently changed. By permanent, it means forever. What we knew as standard, is simply not returning. That's a reality I'm choosing to accept now rather than later. I'm the type to look to adapt, not perish; to push forward and create a new solution if one isn't present. It's how one evolves. When there's a great challenge or pressure being applied and challenging your way of Life, you respond with "fright or flight". Meaning, you either perish your pursuits or you iron yourself into a stronger version that handles the new environment.
So, the million dollar question is, where do we go form here as Artists? What now?

Pressure Forms Diamonds

 
The adage of pressure forming diamonds is a saying that rings true more than you may believe. Not everyone can attribute to being good under pressure, but to those that persevere comes a great new strength. Artists make fine pioneers in my opinion when they're focused, as they excel at coming up with ideas and solutions for issues. It has to deal with the way our eyes and mind are trained. In a way even our spirit is trained to see beyond what is in front of us, so that we may find resolution in chaos. For an Artist to lose their way of Life, their livelihood, their very happiness is something that will not be left undone. Art is one of the most stimulating and healing elements we as humans enjoy about Life. It is one of the most ultimate forms of self-expression, one in which has the power to take your being to a higher level of Love and understanding. For this absolute reason, I know in my heart we will reinvent Art altogether if that's what it takes.

What is the Future of Art?

 
Time to put my Nostradamus hat on! It is in my personal prediction and professional observation that the "normality" of things will not return in regards to public events. Even if permissions legally returned for full capacity gatherings, I don't see in any way "full capacity" being what it used to be. I'd bet "full capacity" will be reduced by 50% at least of the usual load, for safety of health. Whether the pandemic is 100% authentic, or if it's exaggerated in any way, it's not going to make a difference in stopping the change that's coming. As a Curator since 2011 I was personally in denial about everything taking place, but I've come to accept the inconvenience and use it as a means to transform the Gallery Scene. What exactly do I have in store? I can't say just yet as I don't want to spoil the surprise. however I believe it will provide Artists that same feeling of pride, joy and accomplishment once they partake. Please stay connected with my Blog and you will be sure to see the announcements in due time! until then fellow Artists, hang in there! You can still paint and show it off online, on live streams, live paint at a park or outside your home. Meetups are still possible so long as you keep them intimate and take the proper precautions. It's all about adapting! I believe the Art World will grow for the better after all this is said and done. I have full faith in us.

The Biggest Obstacle of Succeeding as an Artist

The Commonly-Felt " Dread "
I'd bet you a tube of fine premium level 4 paint that we all as artists, whether professional or casual, have felt this dread before. What I'm referring to is this negative feeling that almost overtakes us in the midst of planning or producing a work of art. Many of us may feel this sense of "all of a sudden I can't do this", or "am I really in the mood to do this?" We go from the confidence of a lion to the disbelief of a martyr! It's no wonder we're artists to begin with! This phenomenon seemingly occurs universally throughout the ages, and it's not limited to art only. This sense of dread is felt in all walks of life. It leads to immense procrastination and self-doubt. So, why does it happen in the first place?

Don't Deny What You Inherently Feel
Throughout my years I had felt this dread weighing down on me and noticed it wasn't going away. Was it simply a habit I'd formed without realizing? It was important to figure out what the cause of this was, if any. After some time I stumbled across an answer in the form of Dr. Jordan Peterson, a professor of psychology. Through one of his lectures online he stated something that resonated with me and I never forgot it. He spoke of "facing one's inner-shadow" or "inner-monster" as he refers to it. That "monster" or "inner-shadow" is referring to the "dread" that can consume us. It is the feeling of your inner-self screaming at you to "take care of your responsibilities". This may sound like a bunch of impractical malarkey, but if you understand the simplicity and the details of how Life operates, then you would see it for the fundamental truth it is. The first step is recognizing you have some inner-work to do and to better understand what makes you "tick".

Is 'The Inner-Shadow' Self-Serving or Self-Defeating?
When you hear the term "Inner-Shadow" or "Monster", of course you'd feel inclined to think this is something one should work on getting rid of completely. No, it's quite the opposite in fact. It's more of a taming process. It is your defense mechanism at its most primal. You need this as a form of protection. It is your animalistic instinct that signals you when something's wrong and needs your attention. Almost like a sixth sense, it is similar to your nerves reacting when you touch a scorching hot radiator. Your nervous system, through pain, warns you to back off and remedy the situation. You would not be looking to rid yourself of such a warning system, as it's vital to your survival. In feeling one's inner-dread, this is your spirit, heart and mind reaching out to you, to mature and become more responsible; to confront and alleviate whatever clogs you may have that are holding you back from your potential. So, the reason it's called "Inner-Monster"is because like a beast defends itself in the wild, so must you from the chaos of that which attempts to stray you away from your path. In case you haven't nailed it yet, the "monster" is the childish habit of apathy, or laziness. It fosters and caters to the allowance of the worst in you.

How Does Being Responsible Help Achieve Success?
Hearing the question it's almost a no-brainer, right? If you are responsible, how could you not be successful? You'd be sent into shock if you started to really look at all the reasons set backs take place. They're usually the most basic of issues that one allows to grow into a huge problem that ends up being too difficult to overcome. I'll share an example of this. Dr. Jordan Peterson commonly uses this as a sample: making your bed. Yes, making your bed in the morning before you proceed with your day is the first step in disciplining your mind on the importance of order. Order brings about harmony, organization, things flow smoothly and easier. By tidying your bed, you then begin seeing that maybe your room needs to be cleaned. You expand your focus and awareness, then complete the task at hand in increments. Now your mind is much more clear and you're able to focus with quality attention on the task at hand (in this case, living a professional artist's career). You just apply that same discipline and understanding that "the reward will come" because the act of being responsible, is guaranteed to become the fruit of your labor. It goes that way for anything in Life. You want a cup of coffee? It's not going to serve itself for you!

Building Momentum and Learning to Fish for Yourself
Everyone has a vision of what success means for them, personally. For me, as an artist it's to become a professional that is consistent in his work, in how I carry myself inwardly and outwardly, and to have the knowledge that I gave it my all. It's all about effort and the amount you put in. You put the work in, you then reap the rewards with due time, diligence and faith in yourself. Make sure you do and be what you genuinely believe, otherwise no one's going to believe in you in return. This building of momentum, little by little adds up after a while. You begin seeing results and that excitement pushes you forward to do and achieve more! The more and more you do this and confront your inner residue, you will feel alleviation. No more dread creeping up. That's a sign of growing up and evolving toward your goals! Congratulations, you now are fully responsible for your happiness!

The Canvas of a Hair Stylist

The World Is Your Canvas
The finest artists throughout history, from DaVinci to Picasso, Rembrandt, Warhol, Basquiat; they all shared one fine tool as their foundation: A canvas. Hair Stylists are considered another form of a modern-day artist as they take their creativity to a different type of canvas, in a head of hair. Whether you’re a painter, a sculptor, actress or otherwise, every creative has a unique approach when tackling their “canvas” of choice. I, myself am a painter and a salon coordinator, so I have the ability to see how both types of artists approach their work

Inspiration Equals Energy
Before I approach a painting, my mood is crucial to being in a positive and inspired state before I begin. How can an artist, painter or hairstylist produce great work if they’re in a lax mood? A Hair Stylist will get themselves excited just from seeing a client who’s in need of change. This alone motivates them to approach that client, (or canvas) with thrilling energy and excitement. When the client is happy, there is a wonderful synergy formed, and magic is made

What Excites a Hair Stylist?
A truly motivated Hair Artist will be inspired by just about anything, as they love tackling creative challenges and setting trends. One of the more desirable “hair canvases”, if you will, is someone who is looking for a dramatic change. Imagine someone walking into your sala, and they have super long hair, three inches of roots and faded color. A Hair Stylist’s eyes will light up with delight as they happily accept them as their transformation of the day. This pushes any Artist beyond their boundaries in order to reach a new level of creativity and satisfaction. The results are always phenomenal

Getting in the Groove
Beginning the creative process itself can be different for many people. Some are motivated and influenced by certain music that plays. Others find confidence and flare in the way they dress and present themselves. Artistry is a visual stimulant after all. Especially in the beauty business, where the image is everything! If I had to select someone to trust to cut and color my hair, I would definitely choose the Hair Stylist who’s decked from head to toe, looking like a million bucks! They, themselves are walking advertisements for their artistry. For true creatives, being an Artist is their way of life. It’s a philosophy, not just a cool catchphrase or some hobby. True Artists take their work just as serious as you take the desire to become their masterpiece

The Canvas Is Alive
As a traditional painter when I paint on a canvas there’s no resistance or feedback, as it’s an inanimate object. for the Hair Artist however, their canvas is a living, breathing person with desires and expectations. I attribute an enormous amount of credit for how they are able to connect with that living canvas and make them happy. A Master Hair Stylist has the ability to even recover from any errors they might encounter during the creative journey. If that vibrant red that Elizabeth requested turns out a bit dull or not quite the shade she’d envisioned, things can go haywire and fast! Elizabeth may react in a way the Artist did not anticipate and has to be ready to handle these scenarios. Artists, Hair Stylists, all Creatives, in general, are like alchemists. they have the ability to take anything for the most part and turn it into a better version of themselves. That itself is a sacred practice we would all do better to appreciate more and give our gratitude, to the Artists of our World.

Written Originally March 1, 2019 For:
Dramatics NYC 1488 3rd Avenue New York, NY 10028

Submitting to Galleries vs. Self-Representation

Painting Finished... Now, What ?!
Being a painter, you most likely have the desire to show off your work for someone to see. Where does one begin in the process of showcasing your art and what are the benefits and setbacks you may face?

The Way of Tradition
The most common form of artistic representation is through a gallery. The basic set up is that you display your catalog of paintings and invite guests to view, discuss and potentially purchase your masterpieces. There are two ways of going about exhibiting in an art gallery. Firstly, there is the submission procedure in which an artist contacts a local gallery’s curator. This individual runs the gallery operations and coordinates the art direction of the show. Most of the time they are also funding the entire enterprise, so it is important to understand that they run all the shots as they are providing you with their private space and the necessary platform to exhibit. Certain curators depending on their perception of art will be very selective. Your art most likely will need to fit a certain vision or criteria in which they subjectively decide. That, is the basic trade off. If the curator provides the gallery, the artist must adapt and meet a technical standard in order to display. A fee may be involved as well.

Breaking Away from Tradition through Innovation
What if I don’t agree or wish to adapt to the standards of a curator when it comes to my art work? You, then have the option of becoming the curator! Yes, that’s right. No one can stop you from organizing and putting together your very own gallery on your terms. Personally, that’s way more rewarding and beneficial than to premiere under someone else’s name, or to have to share the spot light (unless that’s your thing). Understand however, that you will have to work a lot harder and have a new found level of patience to truly execute this from beginning to end. You cannot half-ass an art gallery. I speak from experience. It can and will ruin your reputation if it’s lame. In order to avoid that, I always suggest humbling yourself first. Be open to information, new knowledge but also be weary of too many opinions and “advice” from others. You will encounter naysayers who will question your ability of tackling on an art gallery. It’s just current human nature that subconsciously one is intimidated by the reminder that you are making moves and they are not. Once you overcome that, you will need a space with an owner that will allow you to run the gallery the way you need it to be run. In other words, rent a space that is strictly that - an open space! Most owners aren’t concerned with the type of event you host, so long as you don’t damage property and the space is cleared by a certain hour. Though costlier than submitting to an art gallery, it not only buys you the creative freedom to bypass a curator’s mold, it allows you to make your money back plus a profit if you tailor your show properly.

Do What's Best for You
Either way you choose to represent yourself is entirely up to you, obviously. Both ways have its benefits and drawbacks, so in the end much like art, the matter is subjective. It all depends on how you wish to work as an artist and perceive your career model. Regardless of anything, I would say the key to success is to be consistent and keep active. You’re sure to fail if you don’t try at all. You’re sure to sleep well at night at least knowing you gave it your all.

Written Originally July 21, 2017

Why Inspiration is Vital

 
What Makes an Artist Tick?
One of the questions I often ponder when thinking to myself, is what precisely fuels an artist to paint their next masterpiece? Some thoughts come to mind - the artist is simply eager to see its completion or maybe a profit is sought to be made. Then I think to myself that it has to be something deeper. A more underlying element. When it comes down to the core of what drives an artist, I find it to be inspiration.

What is inspiration, exactly?
The word "inspiration" when broken down means "inspired" for "creation". In other words, before you do any activity at all, including painting, you have to be excited or stimulated at some level. This rings true for everything, but especially in art. Inspiration, the type we commonly imagine as that magical vision or moment that drives us to paint that next fantastic piece, is inspiration of a high degree. I find it absolutely vital when it comes to staying fresh and enthusiastic about your works. There's a world of difference in viewing a painting that was quickly put together with little thought compared to a stunning vision that was captured on canvas for countless hours.

Being Practical with Your Inspiration
How does anyone stay inspired though, especially in this day and age? I like to think I'm level headed and practical most of the time, so I understand how taking this in can sound nauseating when all you hear is, "stay inspired" or "be positive"constantly. A lot easier said than done at times, I surely admit. I personally do not go around spreading rainbows and sunshine while I gleefully walk with a fake smile on my face, pretending everything's alright. I'm human and we all being human, have emotions that just come and go. So, my best advice is to see inspiration as a state of mind. Just remembering that, is enough to help in big ways you may not see at first. Remembering that feeling inspired is a state of mind is important because it allows you to be in the present moment and to be authentic to yourself. Have no expectations and don't go forcefully searching for inspiration like a detective either. Accept what you're feeling but don't own those feelings as who you are. In time, in your own way, you will be open to inspiration and it will find you.

There's No Right or Wrong
If you are ready to open up and feel what you really want to feel, some great ways of getting inspired are by visiting museums, attending an art class, taking a walk among nature, joining an art club or online group, visiting a gallery or just kick back and watch some Bob Ross! I promise you this - when inspired, you will create some of your greatest works to date!


Written Originally July 21, 2017