Crushed glass, mirrors, jewels and pearls, dried flowers, seashells, lotería cards—these are just some of the myriad objects that multimedia artist Amalia Mesa-Bains incorporates into her immersive installations. This fall, the San Antonio Museum of Art (SAMA) will host Mesa-Bain’s first retrospective, Archaeology of Memory, to celebrate her many valuable contributions to contemporary art over her 45-year career.

The post ART TREKS: San Antonio Museum of Art | Amalia Mesa-Bains: Archaeology of Memory appeared first on Art Business News.

Taking place at the beautiful Santa Fe Community Convention Center in the heart of the city, Art Santa Fe welcomes its esteemed exhibitors and attendees to a beautiful gallery-style venue. Artists from around the world will be exhibiting at Redwood Art Group’s Art Santa Fe fair this July during Santa Fe Art Week.

Here are nine artists to watch during this year’s fair! Get to know the talented group below.

Shan Ogdemli

“I believe there are unseen patterns and structures that exist in multiple dimensions across the multiverse, surrounding, connecting, and influencing everything in the material and non-material realms. My aim as an artist is to capture the essence of those unseen structures and bring them forth into the visible physical world in the form of colors, patterns, and images.

I’m inspired by light and color, Nature, the Earth, the Cosmos, patterns from biology, geometry, astronomy, physics, quantum physics, metaphysics, and the interconnectedness of all things. I’m intrigued by the mathematics behind the patterns and structures of living organisms, by the way the vibrational frequencies of sound can translate into visual structures, by the way the frequencies of spinning electrons create color, and how color in turn emanates vibrational frequencies, by the mysteries of quantum physics, the mysteries of space-time and the mystery and wonder of life.

My acrylic paintings incorporate diatomaceous earth with gel mediums to create heavily textured surfaces with expressive brush strokes that add movement and energy. I make my own brushes out of dust broom straw to achieve the directional textures. Color and the vibrational and emotional effect it has on the viewer is an important part of my work, with color harmonies meticulously built from several layers of translucent and opaque paint. The full effect of the color vibrations and energy emanating from my paintings are best appreciated in person.”

Q: WHAT IS YOUR WORK PHILOSOPHY AND HOW DOES THAT IMPACT YOUR WORK?

A: I have always been able to achieve my goals despite life’s many obstacles and hurdles – through intense focus, perseverance, and hard work. I set high standards for myself, don’t give up easily, and am not afraid to take chances. Those qualities have been both a blessing and a curse throughout my life as sometimes you do need to know when to give up and taking chances doesn’t always turn out well. But those same qualities serve me well in my art practice, allowing me to expand my artistic range, finish even the most challenging projects, finish them well, and put in the hard work needed to make a living as an artist.

Q: WHAT ARTISTS INSPIRE YOU?

A: Vincent Van Gogh, Mark Rothko, Georgia O’Keeffe, Yaakov Agam, Victor Vasarely and the Psychedelic and Op Art movements of the ’60s and 70’s.

Q: WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?

A: That is a hard one. I really have not gotten great advice. Most of the advice has been against following my heart. But if I were to give advice to a young person it would be to follow your heart, no matter what anyone else tells you. Your heart knows where you need to be and what you need to do in life to be happy and fulfilled. You just need to quiet your mind enough to hear what your heart is saying.

Q: WHAT DOES EXHIBITING AT ART SANTA FE 23 MEAN TO YOU?

A: I am thrilled to exhibit at Art Santa Fe 2023! It means having a chance to show my art to the sophisticated art community of Santa Fe, as well as from all over! I love that it is the only contemporary art show in Santa Fe, as my art is very contemporary. I love that it attracts art collectors, art enthusiasts, interior designers, art consultants, gallery owners, and other professionals from everywhere, including from Santa Fe.

Stacy Nixon

Stacy’s award-winning work has been shown consistently in some of the region’s most noteworthy exhibitions and venues, has been recognized by multiple artists in residence programs throughout the country, and can be found in private collections and illustrated publications around the world.

She has a deep desire to illuminate the connections between the conscious mind and the unconscious landscape of possibility, with lots of beauty on the side. Connection to history, story, myth, and magic is always present, waiting to be discovered.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR WORK PHILOSOPHY AND HOW DOES THAT IMPACT YOUR WORK?

A: I feel that to be successful in any business there needs to be a willingness to commit to all aspects of the vision. I would love to paint 90% of my time in the studio but that is often not the reality. Creative actions are always balanced by administrative actions. That being said when the Muse does visit- you listen!

Q: WHAT ARTISTS INSPIRE YOU?

A: I am currently inspired by Mimmo Palladino, his simplicity of form and color sense are timeless. Deloss McGraw is also a real inspiration, the looseness in his work and the naivety applied to deep subjects is so beautiful.

Q: WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?

A: The best advice I have received is “Ready, Shoot, Aim”, which at first seems mad. The idea is that you broadcast a wide net, see what makes a connection, and then narrow the focus.

Q: WHAT DOES EXHIBITING AT ART SANTA FE 23 MEAN TO YOU?

A: I am looking forward to exhibiting at Art Santa Fe because it is my home town! Santa Fe is such a special place to be an artist and I look forward to connecting with even more wonderful people in the arts and art patrons at our event.

The Nick Haus

“I create because it allows me to live fully, it affords me a way to address unarticulated feelings and ideas. For me, painting becomes an intimate conversation with the canvas, brush, and paint. I prefer to paint with Acrylics, using movement and color to express the emotion and content of the work. I use fast strokes, allowing the brush and the emerging feeling of the composition to guide my progress. I approach works without preconceptions of structure but with a sense of something needing to be expressed. I think of my style as abstract expressionism, and although I have many influences, I think I’m most influenced by Freida Kahlo, and Jackson Pollock-probably more in their energy, need to create, and to regulate emotion through art rather than a specific style. Art has always been a crucial part of my life and continues to act as my sanctuary to cope with the painful trauma and remarkable beauty of life.

I hope all this is what my art communicates to others, and I hope to accomplish a greater interconnection to myself and an emotional connection with others thru my works. It feels bigger than me, and this nurtures my sense of being and my identity as a person and an artist.”

Those who love Abstract Art and bold colors would be great admirers of the works of Nick Haus. After all, she’s an Abstract Expressionist who grew up in West Texas influenced by the Marfa art scene.

But Nick Haus is more than just an artist who specializes in the creation of vibrant abstract paintings. The Nick Haus has been an art educator for the last 23 years.

Previously, she taught at a residential treatment center for at-risk youth from 2000-2020. She is currently working at a Classical Academy where she teaches art to K-8 grade. She has extensive experience in art education and working with students of various ages.

For her education, The Nick Haus studied at Sul Ross State University where she earned a BFA, MA specializing in Art.

Inevitably, The Nick Haus began focusing more on launching her career as a professional Artist in 2019. This journey started with experimenting with various mediums and subject matter, this is where she found herself continuously returning to abstract art. The Nick Haus found that through her abstract works, she was able to convey unarticulated feelings and ideas through her lines, color, and movement.

Since she launched her Art career, she has continued to paint and has worked on private commissions, and continues to take part in group exhibitions.

Vicki Todd

Hailing from Happy, Texas (the Town Without a Frown), Vicki Todd is a largely self-taught artist. Her fascination with art began in her Grandmother’s china shop and painting classes taught in her home attic. Todd’s Grandmother encouraged her to sit in during the classes and paint china pieces along with the adult students. At the age of 6, Todd announced that she wanted to be an artist during the question-and-answer portion of the Little Miss Happy beauty contest, which she participated in and won – a  memory she recalls through her mother’s telling of the story. However, art became a part-time hobby pushed to life’s back burner.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR WORK PHILOSOPHY AND HOW DOES THAT IMPACT YOUR WORK?

A: I call myself a memoir artist because whatever is happening in my life makes its way into my art. This practice began when I transitioned from a nonworking wife in a failing marriage, who lost a baby I knew I was not meant to conceive, into a university professor, after going back to school to earn a doctorate degree to teach public relations. During this tumultuous time, I began painting expressive female portraits to convey my feelings of anxiety, fear, hope, and determination. After teaching for 17 years, the call to pursue my love of art prompted me to resign from my tenured professor position at the age of 50 and focus on creating art full-time. This leap allowed me to write and perform a one-woman show called Shine Happy Shine!, for which I created 30 body print paintings and seven paper mache fairytale masks. I used the play format as an evolving art exhibit that urges viewers to follow their heart’s whispers, rather than society’s shouts of what is expected. In 2018, I took the plunge into clay and began sculpting female figures that include flowering vine motifs, which symbolize evolution, self-growth, and transformation. My hope is that my artwork in all its forms gives others joy, strength, and resilience, and inspires them to probe their own dreams.

Q: WHAT ARTISTS INSPIRE YOU?

A: I took a class from Kristine Poole, a sculptor in Santa Fe, who transformed my practice as an emerging artist/sculptor. She taught the class how to build a female nude at 60 to 75 percent life-sized. Learning to sculpt larger figures has prompted me to not only increase the size of my work but also explore more challenging body postures and expressive hand and foot gestures. Seeing her uber-realistic nude figures in striking poses has helped me to think more expansively when crafting my own sculptures.

I recently viewed an exhibit by another Santa Fe sculptor, Clea Carlsen. The extreme detail that she hand-builds into her sculptures’ coiled hair and sometimes deconstructed body parts inspires me to push the limits of what flourishes can be successfully added to a sculpture.

I love the bold colors, magnitude, and immersive quality of Niki de Saint Phalle’s sculptures and installations, which is a possibility I would like to explore in the future.

Q: WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?

A: Two separate mentors told me: “Onward and upward!” and “Don’t look at the mountain. Focus on one rock at a time.” These sayings help me when preparing for a large exhibit, such as Art Santa Fe, but also on a daily basis when I might feel a little stuck and need to keep my art flowing forward.

Q: WHAT DOES EXHIBITING AT ART SANTA FE 23 MEAN TO YOU?

A: After teaching public relations at the university level for 17 years, I evolved through the novice-proficient-expert scale. Upon quitting my tenured professor position, I once again became a floundering beginner trying to find my footing as an artist. Being accepted to exhibit at Art Santa Fe as an emerging artist in the SOLO Pavilion gives me a sense of validation that I am on the right track once again. I look forward to connecting with galleries and collectors and welcoming new open doors of opportunity through this dynamic art experience.

Victoria Veedell

“Places have a memory, a history, a feeling that we connect with. These memories, like faint echoes, are revealed as light moves across the landscape, transforming the color and texture of a place. It is these moments and experiences that I capture in my atmospheric landscape paintings.

My fascination with the landscape stems more from an interest in exploring our primal connection to the land rather than a focus purely on the aesthetics of a place. My paintings trace the effect light has on a location, how it leaves its mark on the landscape, and how it illuminates the essence of nature–creating different moods, transforming a scene, drawing us in, focusing our gaze, changing the temperature physically and emotionally, and capturing movement. Combined, these elements relay the feeling and memories of a place. My paintings are a snapshot of a particular moment in time. Recording these moments is an act of resistance documenting places that are threatened by increased urbanization and catastrophic climate change. They are a call to preserve these places and a reminder of the important symbiotic relationship that we have with nature.”

Q: WHAT IS YOUR WORK PHILOSOPHY AND HOW DOES THAT IMPACT YOUR WORK?

A: I have a very strong work ethic and take my practice seriously. I am a full time painter and keep regular 10-5 studio hours. This helps me stay focused and create the paintings I want to make. Travel is an important component in my work. I attend artist residencies regularly so that I can explore a place for an extended amount of time while being able to paint and record my experiences straight away. I am a prolific painter and feel like there always more to learn in painting. Nature supplies endless inspiration.

Q: WHAT ARTISTS INSPIRE YOU?

A: Wolf Kahn, Joan Mitchell, and Richard Mayhew.

Q: WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?

A: Show up to your studio every day and make the work.

Q: WHAT DOES EXHIBITING AT ART SANTA FE 23 MEAN TO YOU?

A: I’m looking forward to making new connections and nurturing new relationships. I want to share my paintings with a new audience of collectors, artists and art lovers.

Michele Thompson

Michele was born and raised in a rural canyon community in Orange County, CA, where she recognized her symbiotic relationship with the natural world and developed a fondness for artfully capturing her interactions with it. She demonstrated an interest in drawing and painting from a young age, developing her skills gradually. Although she was accepted into the fine arts degree program at Laguna College of Art and Design in California, and eventually attended Colorado Mountain College and Alaska Pacific University in Outdoor Recreation and Wilderness Therapy degree paths, she never attained a degree. Instead, when she wasn’t attempting to piece together an education, she was coping with the slow loss of her mother and eventually her father. Having spent her 20s experiencing the time-consuming tribulations of grief and attempting to find a purpose in the world, Michele is now devoted to her art practice as she seeks to use painting to deepen her understanding of life and death and demonstrate the commonalities of these collective experiences. She has participated in three international artist residencies which have allowed her to expand her understanding of the cultural and spiritual leverages between humanity and nature. Having lived in many U.S. states thus far, she currently resides in Arizona with her husband.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR WORK PHILOSOPHY AND HOW DOES THAT IMPACT YOUR WORK?

A: In the last couple of years, I’ve let go of the pressures involving ‘my place in the world’ and have begun freely carving my own path. My philosophy is simply to be authentic. In remembering where I come from and holding on to the most important things in my life, I become more inspired to create. All of it has evolved into this beautiful cycle of inspiration, research, and creative production. I have found that the more inspired I am during a painting, the more enthusiastic buyers and other artists are about it. Genuine enthusiasm for my work is one of the greatest achievements I can attain. It validates my work and my life – And there is virtually no separation between the two.

Q: WHAT ARTISTS INSPIRE YOU?

A: I’m foundationally inspired by French Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, which brings many artists to mind, such as Berthe Morisot and Vincent Van Gogh. Art Nouveau and early 20th-century American Illustrations also interest me. Artists like J.C. Leyendecker who have styles involving intricate and specific mark-making, and painters like Monet and Renoir who mastered the art of capturing light in a scene, are currently influencing my work in significant ways. The historical contexts behind the art of the late 1800s – early 1900s are also plainly fascinating to me, as the Western world was exploding into modernity. The deeply evocative works of Kathe Kollwitz are an eternal source of inspiration as well.

I’m constantly learning about contemporary artists whose works and processes motivate me and provide stimulating insight. Some off the top of my head include Erika b Hess, Angela Chin, Mark Maggiori, and Pat de Groot.

The writers who have recently influenced my work include Mikhail Bulgakov, H.G. Wells, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Gustav Flaubert, W.B. Yeats, Edgar Allan Poe, and Ernest Becker – Male writers providing a variety of perspectives on femininity and romance, sociopolitical criticisms and solutions, and historical and cultural insights.

Q: WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?

A: “Use more paint.” This changed my life. After I dropped out of art school, I clung to my rigid realist approach. This meant I was afraid to make changes to a painting after making a certain amount of progress on it. Many painters can probably relate to this: being early in my career, I didn’t have enough experience making mistakes, so I didn’t know how to fix them. Not being in school prevented me from receiving that much-needed third-party influence to teach me how to overcome this. I would preemptively apply less paint out of fear so that I could wipe it off and still have a clean surface for another try. During an artist residency in 2014, a mentor and friend told me to use more paint and began periodically painting on my canvases, which I found off-putting at the time, but I now realize how much that helped me. It messed with my palette, my ego, and my sense of what art even is. Now, I’m an Impasto painter and find so much enrichment in spreading around copious amounts of paint! Experimenting with texture and movement is essential to my process now.

Q: WHAT DOES EXHIBITING AT ART SANTA FE 23 MEAN TO YOU?

A: It feels like I’ve been promoted. To present my work to industry professionals and collectors in this setting will be an incredibly valuable experience. The opportunity to have enriching discussions about art, not just about my own but about any art at the fair and about the industry in general, will be constructive no matter the outcome. Being around other artists stimulates my creativity and motivates me to learn. The feedback I receive will ultimately fuel my deep desire to be the best painter that I can be. I’m honored to have the opportunity!

Olayinka Kasali

“My sculptures are primarily made of clay, wood, fiberglass, and bronze, with humans and animal forms as the predominant subject matter. To give the idea more depth, I add elements like antique musical instruments, fossils, and everyday objects. My sources of inspiration are both current events and historic sculptures from West Africa. My sculptures are intended to communicate my spiritual revelations,  African traditional ideas and values while educating through provocative thoughts.”

Olayinka Kasali is a creative and forward-thinking artist and teacher who creates paintings and sculptures that speak to the religious, social, and political cultures of people while also capturing their minds and emotions. He studied Fine Arts with a major in sculpture at the prestigious Yaba College of Technology, Lagos state, Nigeria. He also has a Postgraduate Diploma in Education, which allowed him to work as an art teacher in Nigerian schools. Olayinka decided to study special education for a master’s degree in New York City because he has a passion for kids and wants to utilize his work to inspire students with disabilities. A few people who are successful artists in their own right all around the world have been influenced and mentored by Olayinka. He has three solos to his credit and numerous group shows at home and abroad including “Turning Point; 2008, “Blossom; 2009”, Treasures of Creation; 2013, African Arts and Crafts Expo; 2013, New York Art Expo 2016, Contemporary Nigerian Arts Exhibition, Chicago; 2016, New York Art Expo 2022 etc. His works are housed in hundreds of private and corporate collections around the world.

In ancient African cultural traditions, art is used as objects of worship and symbols of royalty and nobility. I believe artwork should be aesthetically appealing and convey a message. This message should stem from intellectual, social, cultural to spiritual matters. This is the reason why my work is focused on exploring life issues, cultural and human spiritual well-being. As much as I pursue great aesthetic value in my art, I strive to make my works tend to man’s subconscious mind and essence of living. I am inspired by Pablo Picasso’s artistic lifestyle and a living legend; Michael Chukes who once told me: “You only have one life, don’t be afraid to live it! He went further to say: “Ask yourself how you want to be remembered, as the guy who played it safe and kept his job or the artist that took a leap of faith and created something that brings positive change to the world!”

As I made the decision to go into my art full time with grit and determination, facing and conquering any challenge that may arise like a bull faces a lion head-on and chases it away, Art Santa Fe will be my first solo show; a great propeller and launching pad into the limelight in the art world.

Brianna Timourian

Brianna Timourian was born and raised in Austin, Texas. From a young age, she always had a passion for storytelling and this led her to make short films and keep a spiral of poems in order to express her highly imaginative thoughts and feelings. Today, Brianna believes her creative muse can be spread through her paintings of abstract women and abstract expressionist art. She studied Studio Art and Kinesiology at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. Brianna then decided to pursue art and become an art teacher. She taught for 4 years at Hopewell Middle School in Round Rock, Texas. Currently, she teaches Art 2 and Art 3 at Benold Middle School in Georgetown, Texas. Brianna enjoys spreading her love of art with others and helping students find their own creative voice to express themselves. She loves color and is inspired by bright Pop art. Brianna had her own art exhibition titled: Eclectic Synergy in January of 2023 at the Georgetown Public Library. Brianna is keenly interested in nature and the outdoors and she spends time hiking, kayaking, practicing yoga and playing tennis.

Q: WHAT IS YOUR WORK PHILOSOPHY AND HOW DOES THAT IMPACT YOUR WORK?

A: My work philosophy is that art is not work, it is therapy. I choose to make art. I am always trying to do my best, but some days a piece may not turn out as good as other days. That is okay. I will take a break and come back to it later or just chalk it up to good practice. Everything may not be a masterpiece and that is okay. The process of making the art is my first and foremost goal. As I said before, art is therapy to me. I think this impacts my work because I don’t put too much pressure on myself when working because it is just an enjoyable experience that is part of who I am as a person. I make art to feel good.

Q: WHAT ARTISTS INSPIRE YOU?

A: I am very inspired by Frida Kahlo because of everything she went through in her life and her amazing symbolism in her paintings. I am also very inspired by Andy Warhol because of his cleverness and bright use of color.

Q: WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?

A: “There can be 100 people in a room and 99 of them don’t believe in you, but all it takes is one and it just changes your whole life.” -Lady Gaga

Q: WHAT DOES EXHIBITING AT ART SANTA FE 23 MEAN TO YOU?

A: It means the world to me. I am so happy to be recognized as an artist. I am so excited to have this opportunity to showcase my artwork amongst so many great artists! I can’t wait, and I will soak up every minute of it!

Billion Gallery

Billion Gallery is thrilled to share the success of its represented artists at Art Santa Fe 2023. Among them is the brilliant Mexican artist whose works have been displayed around the world. Our artists possess experience in painting, plastic arts, photography, and drawing, and each piece is carefully crafted with a perspective inspired by Mexico’s idiosyncrasy while incorporating global trends.

Our artists seek to express feelings through their art, going beyond aesthetics to provoke empathy with the viewer. The themes of their works are philosophies of life and feelings from a unique perspective, seeking to cause a spark in the eye of the person and transcend.

At Billion Gallery, we believe that art generates an incomparable feeling for each human being, motivating them to be and do their best every day. Therefore, everything that materializes in the hands of our artists is born from passion and purpose.

We draw inspiration from all great artists, whether in painting, sculpture, music, photography, or any type of art. We believe that each of them has something to contribute to us and their techniques.

Our philosophy is succinctly captured in the advice we’ve received: “The drop of water pierces the rock, not because of its strength, but because of its constancy.”

Exhibiting at Art Santa Fe 2023 means a lot to us. It is the result of many hours, months, and years of hard work behind this project. Exhibiting at one of the most important art fairs in the United States is a source of pride for us, and representing Mexico means everything.

We couldn’t be more proud of our roots and the entire team behind this that made it possible.

We invite all art lovers and collectors to experience the fresh and sophisticated works of our artists at Billion Gallery, the premier destination for contemporary art collectors.

For tickets to Art Santa Fe 2023 click here.

The post Art Santa Fe 2023 Artists to Watch appeared first on Art Business News.

Throughout its four historic decades in contemporary and fine art, Artexpo New York has hosted the likes of Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Keith Haring, and Leroy Neiman; intensifying the discourse on today’s industry challenges and magnifying the very best the fine art world has to offer.

This year’s Artexpo New York takes place April 7-10, 2022, at Manhattan’s newest destination for art, Pier 36. Each year, the fair’s special programs range from immersive artist-led Art Lab experiences to compelling Art Talks and exciting Meet the Artist sessions.

From the amazing list of exhibitors, Artexpo’s curators present their Spotlight Program, providing collectors a focused look at several cutting-edge galleries and artists recognized for their skill and achievement in the visual arts.

Check out this year’s Spotlight Program recipients below!

Will Schmahl – Works By Will – Booth S110

From his unusual use of colors, Will creates a psychological narrative within each piece depicting his journey in life. Once you follow Schmahl, you will find a recognizable style of abstract paintings that have a way of making you feel something. Whether it’s a sense of pain, a burst of energy, or a memory that is relatable. His works have the ability to transform a room and get you excited about art.

John Dowling – John Dowling Fine Art – Booth 325

Dowling’s art odyssey began in the ’80s. While recovering from a devastating illness he spent time painting his photos on his laptop as art therapy. Dowling was and is a preeminent photojournalist and fine art photographer and has photographed countless celebrities, models, politicians, executives, wildlife, landscapes and nature, high-profile events, and life in general. What makes Dowling’s work so unique is his extensive use of layers that cause each viewer to have different perceptions of what they see. A unique technique of leading the viewer to have false affirmations of what they see, as well as challenging the human conscious mind to see what actually exists. What will you see?

Jeremiah Heller, Curator – End to End Gallery – Booth 104

End to End, E2E is a Graffiti & Street Art term that refers to a huge graffiti piece that covers a wall from one end to the other. On a subway train, it refers to a piece that covers the entire train, end to end. The street abbreviation is E2E.

This lexicon has been the inspiration behind End to End Gallery in our Downtown Hollywood Florida Showroom. We have curated an End to End space featuring a curated collection of modern and urban contemporary art from Jeremiah’s personal collection that truly embodies the meaning of the term and creates a unique viewing experience. Placing works from our personal collection allows the works to be viewed publicly and allows us to educate and share our passion for the works within the collection.

Gregory Bedford – Bedford Fine Art – Booth 237

Gregory Bedford’s wide sphere of life experiences fosters his creativity and design, all of which are major elements in his abstract paintings. This multi-talented artist began abstract collage painting during his breaks from acting. Painting provided Bedford with another outlet to release his creative energy, as well as to experience alternative methods for his creative process. His passion for the arts began as a ten-year-old. His introduction into stage and the arts came naturally: his father was an art teacher for 30 years. A method actor by trade, he becomes one with his work not only in the moment on stage or in film but also in his art studio.

Mikheil & George Mikaberidze – Mikheil & George Family Art – Booth S903

A father and son art team formerly from Tbilisi, Georgia, now reside and create their works in Brooklyn, New York. They have participated in various international exhibitions in Germany, Belgium, Netherlands and USA. The art exudes a sense of hidden depth in character masked by an almost childish playfulness in color and theme.

Erick Picardo – Picardo Colors – Booth S410

Picardo is a multidisciplinary Afro-Caribbean artist based in Michigan, whose work makes a statement about the mystic order of existence and its relationship to everyday life. Using a combination of oil and acrylic, Picardo portrays figures using color to entrance viewers, drawing them into a world of music and dance. He envisions his paintings serving as a reminder of all that humanity is capable of being, inspiring viewers to strive toward a better self and better world.

The post Artexpo New York 2022 Spotlight Program Recipients appeared first on Art Business News.

The role of the gallery owner has always held prestige in the art world. With far fewer galleries than artists, the square footage of display space each location offered was a desirable commodity, which typically gave their owners quite a bit of leverage in the symbiotic relationship with artists. But it takes talent to pick and choose which works to display in a limited area. The gallery owner must maximize what space they have to offer, using it in only the most resourceful and efficient way. The transactional side of collecting and investing in art means monetizing what is carefully chosen to be featured. And so, for gallery owners, the strategies and tactics include building an audience and awareness of artists and their work, increasing sales traffic, and maintaining proper levels of inventory for purchase. The most important key for gallery owners is to establish an unbreakable trust with the artists they represent.

Another important role for gallery owners is the innate ability to evaluate and choose artists and artworks that will resonate with the audience, leading to both marketability and sales. There are no crystal balls that can reveal how a particular artist’s work will be received, but there are some qualities that should increase the odds of success. That means locating an artist that has a particular style you can recognize right away, and a clearly defined concept behind their work. Also, do they take their job seriously? Are they good at their own self-promotional efforts? After all, gallery owners can only do so much.

THE ARTIST

Of course, for artists, the landscape looks much different. We are all familiar with the “starving artist” label, those willing to make extreme sacrifices in material well-being for the sake of what they’re creating. But there are very few artists who don’t aspire to surpass this stage in their craft. What artists need—more than anything else—is notoriety. Their work must be visible if it is to be purchased or put on consignment. This is why art galleries are such attractive propositions. Artists need to have their works publicly displayed and art galleries typically own the real estate they so desperately covet.

But with the advent of popular social media channels and the viral audiences they can provide, coupled with a growing number of artists who are beginning to receive financial backing directly from the investor and collector crowds, galleries are no longer the only game in town. There are also numerous opportunities for artists to list and sell their works directly, minus a commission, through flashy online e-commerce marketplaces such as Artsper, currently featuring over 170,000 works, representing more than 25,000 artists.

It’s safe to say that the traditional power dynamic between gallery owners and artists is shifting. To the trained eye, artists have become exponentially more self-aware of their available options to promote themselves, and their needs are rapidly evolving. Of course, to have your work featured in a prominent art gallery is still considered an admirable achievement. But in the fast-moving, transactional side of the art business world, artists are looking for more than just display space. As artists use alternate methods to raise awareness, and their works begin to gain notoriety and sell, they’re now looking for more promotional effort from gallery owners. What’s really becoming important are networking and promotional connections. Can you build an artist’s audience beyond the walls of your gallery and the walk-in traffic who browse their works? Do you have influential contacts in the world of art investors and collectors to introduce them? What about municipal and civic connections who can authorize public displays? Do you have the influence to get them featured and publicized at renowned art fairs? And what about exclusive deals with luxury brands to create one-of-a-kind opportunities that infuse their artwork with expensive goods?

RISE OF THE TALENT AGENTS

It is in this new normal environment that the role of the art gallery owner seems to be evolving—to that of a talent agent or manager. Gallery owners, desperate to add value to the relationships they maintain with their artists, are facing difficulties in maintaining the longevity of the owner-artist relationship. Now more than ever, gallery owners must establish and maintain a reputation for taking artists public. Much like in the world of talent managers, the talented always want to work with the best—the ones with the right connections and influence. It’s this sudden shift that’s providing newfound power and leverage to artists. To see what’s really at stake, in the proper context of this shifting power dynamic, requires a snapshot of the current global art marketplace.

WHAT’S AT $TAKE?

According to recent statistics compiled by First Research, a market analysis division of corporate data leader Dun & Bradstreet, there are approximately 4,850 art galleries in the U.S. That might seem like a high number, however it’s incomparable to the number of competing artists still waiting to be discovered, hoping to one day make a comfortable living selling their work. Comparably, it’s really no different from the hyper-competitive music industry. For every talent who gets discovered and signs a deal with a major music label, there are countless other gifted musicians toiling away in local establishments who will never see the inside of a recording studio. What’s at stake when it comes to being discovered in the world of art collecting? A global market estimated at $50 billion in sales last year, at least according to The Art Market 2021, an annual market analysis compiled by Art Basel and UBS. To be clear, that is a robust number, despite two consecutive years of declining sales, down 22% from 2019, and 27% from 2018.

A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP ENTERS A BRAVE NEW WORLD

Although the power dynamic between gallery owners and artists appears to be shifting, one constant remain. The two sides will always be inexorably linked together in a symbiotic relationship.

Artists, many of whom expend all their energy and creation to develop works that express themselves, will continue to need the proper environment for displaying them. They also need the gallery owner’s expertise, judgment, knowledge, and connections to help them receive the recognition they deserve and a fair price for their works. They need the reassurance that comes with trusting the gallery owner’s innate understanding of how art buyers, collectors, and investors think. A gallery owner can help artists stay grounded in the face of critics and detractors while exposing them to a much wider world of art that exists beyond their own work and experiences. Artists need the kind of industry knowledge, influence, and promotional acumen that only a gallery owner can properly provide.

Gallery owners, whose lives revolve around an endless amount of artistic creation, will always be searching for the next artist of significance. An artist whose works draw curiosity and intrigue at first glance will always be of interest. There is nothing like the feeling when a gallery owner senses an immediate connection to a particular artists’ work. They’ve reviewed tens of thousands of works over the years, continually searching for a style that will resonate with buyers, collectors, and investors. Artists are the very lifeblood of the gallery owner’s existence, the reason they get up every day and begin their search for greatness all over again. The artists on their rosters both intrigue and enchant gallery owners, leaving them in awe of the rare talent and ambition that it takes to succeed in this business. These owners review thousands and thousands of artists and their works, never tiring of the search to discover something meaningful—art that holds up over time.

No, the shifting power dynamic between gallery owners and artists is not a troubling development. It is merely an opportunity for both to represent the best interests and highest ideals that make up their symbiotic relationship. The transactional nature of the art marketplace may indeed be evolving, offering artists a better chance at having their works discovered. Regardless of who wields the leverage between the two, gallery owners and artists know that earning and maintaining trust in one another is the stable foundation of a mutually beneficial relationship. In a perfect world, that should never change.

About the Author: Bernard Markowicz is an entrepreneur, gallerist, and owner of Markowicz Fine Art, with galleries in the Design Districts of Miami, Dallas, and a newly opened third location in Laguna Niguel, California. Originally from Arras, on the northern border of France and Belgium, Markowicz began collecting artwork at the young age of sixteen. He currently lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife Sophie, and has four children, six grandchildren, and a passion for slalom water skiing.

The post The Shifting Power Dynamic Between Gallery Owners and Artists appeared first on Art Business News.

And so has our perspective on art, including art’s major themes that were popular in specific periods. We can see that religion, spirituality, myths, and humans were the main themes you find historically in art. Life in the countryside, love, and portraits were other elements of notice. But Pop Art is different. It developed during the 1950s in the United Kingdom, then soon crossed the ocean and became a worldwide established way of creating art and looking at things.

British Pop Art and American Pop Art are very different, although similar in some particular ways. They both look at the objects, places, and humans that are near to us. They present current culture in a way that has not been done before. The artists that started pop culture aimed to put an emphasis on commercial culture with a desire to make people look differently at objects, and they succeeded.

Pop art changed the perception of art worldwide. Before Pop Art, people regarded art only as specific paintings or artworks; with Pop Art, things became more diverse. So, let’s take a look at how Pop Art has managed to change the perception of art as a domain.

Inspiration from Ordinary Things

All artists are in search of a muse, of someone or something that can trigger their creativity. Of something that makes ideas pop in their imagination for inspiration to easily appear. Artists like Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, or James Rosenquist are just some of the artists that made Pop Art available worldwide. They helped spread it and made their ideas of making art more popular.

Pop artists take their inspiration from ordinary things, such as advertising, music, movies, comic books, and so on. And even though the movement of Pop Art was intensely critiqued at the beginning, now it is appreciated across the whole world. Because Pop Art has a distinctive style, different from the more traditional styles of artwork, it gets noticed.

In the traditional style, a model is always needed to spend a few hours on a chair, while the artist makes their portrait. In Pop Art, there is no need for posing. The inspiration comes from ordinary things, everyday objects you have in your house.

Popular Culture Translate Into Pop Art

Pop Art is basically a translation of the popular culture surrounding an artist. A Pop artist prefers to draw attention to the era we are living in currently, with lots of objects and options around us. Because Pop artists are taking their inspiration from ordinary things, they translate and paint them on a canvas. They search for the soul of an era, so they took a look at some of the most popular things during the time in which the life: cartoons, movies, and music.

Everything is Connected

Every artist has his own perspective on the environment he lives in. but Pop artists have a very different perspective on everything, and they want to show it in their art. The perception is that everything in the world is connected in one way or another, and it’s conveyed through their Pop Art. In doing this, the entire perception of art has changed. It also has changed the perception of life and how everything is connected. Pop artists embrace this and aim to make it obvious in every piece of Pop Art they create.

Emotionless Pop Art

One of the characteristics of Pop Art is that it was devoid of emotions. This contradicts the idea of art as we commonly know it. Before Pop Art, people were used to searching for emotion in works of art. In every piece of art, there were smaller pieces of different emotions everyone was looking to find. And the artists were looking for ways to send and express their emotions through paintings. But Pop Art takes ordinary elements from everyday life and made them look different — and with no emotion involved.

The Perspective of Artists

How has Pop Art changed the perception of art? Through all the artists that have shown their own perspective on the things around us. The rules to follow or a specific structure to paint or create art were abandoned. And Pop artists were the ones that initiated this artistic current. The same object might be represented differently by different Pop artists. And this is exactly what Pop Art is about. About the ability of each artist to take common and ordinary objects from their environment and express their own perspective on it. Each artist has a different attitude towards the same object, so we see similar but different works of art.

Bold Colors, Repetitive Patterns

Another thing that is characteristic of Pop Art and that changed the perception of art is the use of colors and repetitive patterns. If before Pop Art was established and became popular around the world, art was mainly represented by big paintings with warm and pastel colors, Pop Art changed this entirely. Pop Art is about using bold colors, repetitive patterns, and making the entire artwork look like a poster.

Pop Art changed the perception of art and laid the basis of a new art revolution, where artists allow their ideas to reality, without worrying about any art rules they might have been taught to follow. Pop Art brought high contrasts and posters to the eyes and attention of the people. Pop Art is about bold, bright collages and colors that are right in your face.

Ending Note

Even though Pop Art is an important part of the entire domain of art today, it was first looked upon with reluctance. Some of the most iconic Pop artists laid the basis for the artistic current of Pop Art, making it more popular, attractive, and interesting. They made room for artists to take bolder attempts at creating art of any kind and managed to create a movement that spread across the world, opening new doors of perception to art lovers and artists alike.

Author Bio: Jake S. Platt has a master’s degree in marketing and currently started his way as a content writer at bestdissertation.com. Jake wrote his first story at age 15, and now he brings his decades of experience to inspire people to explore the world of marketing and art. 

The post How Pop-Art Changed Perception of Art appeared first on Art Business News.

Moreover, most of these underrated maestros come from underprivileged backgrounds or simply refused to conform to populist aesthetics. Others simply came up in regimes that did everything possible to stifle their creativity and art.

So, this article appreciates some of these underestimated artists from the past century. This list is not comprehensive by any means. We gathered a list of noteworthy mentions, and here are their stories.

Margaret Macdonald Mackintosh (1864 – 1933)

Margaret Macdonald was a Scottish artist who popularized the Glasgow Style — which promoted Celtic symbolism.

Unlike artists of her time, Margaret did not have a sketchbook: she drew inspiration from her memory or robust imagination. She also consulted works like the Bible for inspiration. Most of her works feature elements of human nudity and interfused geometric and natural forms.

Some of her famous works include:

• Opera of the Winds
• Seven Princesses
• Ophelia
• White Rose and Red
• The May Queen

Lyubov Popova (1889 – 1924)

Lyubov Popova was a Russian artist who spent her entire life in pre-Soviet Russia. Popova was one of the early female pioneers of Cubo-futurism. She was also a proponent of constructivism and suprematism.

Lyubov Popova was also an excellent industrial designer, working with clothing fabrics, book designs, and photomontages.

Some of her most famous works include The Pianist and Violin.

Mimmo Rotella (1918 – 2006)

Mimmo Rotella is a post-war European artist who is underappreciated in pop culture. Rotella is famous for his psychogeographic style, fully expressed in his Marilyn 2 masterpiece.

Although a lot of controversy looms over the dating of his works, you cannot take away from the significance of his artistic achievements and contributions.

Some of his works include Little Monument to Rotella, Casablanca, Not in Venice, Muro Romano, With a Smile, and A strappo deciso.

Mira Schendel (1919 – 1988)

Mira Schendel was a Brazilian contemporary artist famous for her drawings on rice paper. She was also a sculptor, painter, and poet throughout her life. As a result, you can see elements of poetry in her art. Schendel’s work also established a connection between language and art by incorporating calligraphy and sublime lettering elements.

Some of her works include Monotypes, Droguinhas, Trenzinho, and Objetos gráficos.

Richard Artschwager (1923 – 2013)

Richard Artschwager was an American painter and illustrator famous for his work that captured conceptual art and minimalism. As with other under-recognized artists of his time, his inventive nature kept him from becoming a renowned artist. Artschwager’s legacy is typified by one of his most famous creations — The Description of Table, which has inspired other artists and sculptors over the years.

Seung-Taek Lee (B. 1932)

Breaking into the mainstream as a non-Western artist or painter takes a lot of effort or sheer luck: this is the case of Seung-Taek Lee. The Korean artist is one of the pioneers of reductive minimalism outside the western art world. He is commonly associated with the concept of “anti-art.” 

Carroll Dunham (B. 1949)

Carroll Dunham is an American painter that has played a significant role in contemporary art in the modern era. If the surname sounds familiar to you, that’s because he is Lena Dunham’s (the actress) father. Although Carroll Dunham is not necessarily underestimated, he definitely deserves more recognition from the art community and the general public as well.

Some of his famous artworks include Large Bather (quicksand), Bather/Night, and Age of Rectangles.

Mark Bradford (B. 1961)

Mark Bradford is a Los Angeles-born artist that is known for his collage works and painting method. Bradford combines elements of décollage and abstraction to create images that embody the relationships between the past and the future.

One of his most famous artworks is Monster. He is also the current highest-selling African-American (living) artist after his Helter Skelter I painting went at an auction for 1.2 million USD.

Jim Lambie (B. 1964)

The Scottish-born contemporary artist infuses elements of ‘pop’ in his abstract works. Lambie is also known for compelling and flamboyant sculpting and installations. He is also famous for using vinyl tape as a core element of his work. Although Jim Lambie was nominated for the Turner Prize in 2005, he is nowhere as famous as his talents deserve.

Some of his most famous works include Sound System and Zobop.

Odili Donald Odita (B. 1966)

Odita is a Nigerian painter who is quite famous for his abstraction. His artwork also reflects aspects of indigenous artistry with a mixture of Western modernism. Odita’s style often features a canvas of brightly colored, contrasting hues spread across the canvas. The artist currently resides in the United States, and you can see his works in galleries in New York and other parts of the country.

Tomma Abts (B. 1967)

Tomma Abts is the 2006 Turner Prize-winning artist who is famous for her abstract oil paintings. Tomma Abts’s work stands out from her peers because she works on canvases of the same size — 48 x 38 cm. Tomma maintains a consistent color scheme in all her paintings, making subtle variations in the 3D elements, which she creates by layering.

Eva Rothschild (B. 1971)

Eva Rothschild is an Irish artist that emphasizes the principles of minimalism and contemporary ideals. Rothschild is not shy to express that her work encompasses non-subtle elements of activism that espouse the values of freedom, diversity, and peace.

Here is a list of some of her best pieces:

1. XXX
2. Double Bow
3. Guide
4. Diamond Day
5. Mastermind
6. Motivator

Conclusion

Although most of these artists are not household names, their contribution to art, in general, cannot be understated. Most of them have inspired generations of artists with their work. Others are still young enough to inspire more people. Let’s learn to appreciate these pioneers and brilliant minds by giving them their deserved credit.

Author’s Bio: Elizabeth Shirley works at DoMyEssay and holds expertise in writing papers and essays for college students. She is an ardent art lover and likes to explore different genres and artists from all around the world. She likes to draw and teaches an art class at a local school.

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“Extraordinary” in the sense that they’re outside the norm, the “ordinary” of what other people do. In fact, many artists feel called to live their Truth no matter the cost.

Some artists tell me they feel they were born to create.

It’s not unusual for artists to feel that art is their Purpose. It’s what you love doing. And, ideally, it’s how you want to make a living.

THE REALITY OF LIVING OUR TRUTH AND MAKING MONEY FROM IT CAN SEEM DAUNTING. 

Overwhelming. Impossible on some days. Despite hard work, talent, and years of experience, the path to success for many artists is not always clear. 

Success, especially financial success, can seem elusive. 

How do you honor your passion, your creativity, and your calling, when living the life of a successful artist can sometimes feel like a lost cause? 

PICTURE THIS FOR A MOMENT: 

An American woman flees a glamorous job as an art dealer. She sells all of her possessions, and she moves by herself to the middle of nowhere in the south of France. And she speaks no French. 

Eventually, she becomes a successful entrepreneur, artist, and writer. 

She creates an online business program for artists, called the Working Artist Masterclass. She teaches artists how to sell art. And she has since supported thousands of creatives in not just working as an artist but creating an artful life. 

My name is Crista Cloutier. 

I’m here to help you honor your calling. To JUMP toward your dreams. And to make money doing it. 

For me, choosing to work as an artist is “about being bold, taking risks, making work, building a career, finding inspiration, sharing your vision. It’s about owning who you are and the magic that happens when you JUMP into the unknown.”

Take that leap of faith.

LOTS OF ARTISTS ARE OVERWHELMED. 

They’re overwhelmed by ideas. Overwhelmed by options. Overwhelmed by choices. They’re so overwhelmed that they become paralyzed, unable to move or to even trust themselves to take the first step. 

They self-sabotage. 

The life of an artist is never easy. A lot of artists have confidence issues. A lot of artists have time management issues. 

Procrastination is an occupational hazard. Balancing your energy and your time is another problem.

Artists suffer from too many ideas and too many ‘shoulds’. I should be doing this, I should be doing that. I should be on Instagram… I should be having this many followers… I should be making this much money…” 

It’s a lot of comparison stuff. Money is certainly a challenge for a lot of artists too. Making authentic connections is an even big problem.”

I’ve seen it all, and I’ve helped many artists work through their challenges. I lead them to clarity.

BECAUSE BEING CLEAR, CONSCIOUS, AND INTENTIONAL GETS YOU HEARD ABOVE THE NOISE.

Distilling your message, being clear in yourself and in what you’re saying, is critical.  Whether that’s crafting a brand, finding gallery representation, formulating a social media or sales strategy, I walk artists through the dark forest of confusion and questions. 

• How do you build professional contacts?
• How do you get people to join your mailing list? 
• How do you get them to your website in the first place? 
• What do you do with them once you’ve got them? 

Once artists get clear, they feel motivated AND they start taking the right steps toward success. 

Too often artists believe they’re stopped by the world, but the truth is that they’re the ones who are stopping themselves.

DO YOU REALLY NEED WHAT YOU THINK YOU NEED?

I met someone whose lifelong desire was to be a photographer. But he won’t take pictures. Because he doesn’t have the ‘right’ camera. So, he’s still not taking pictures. That’s an artist who’s gotten in his own way. 

I see artists do this all the time. They stop themselves because they think they don’t have the money. They think they don’t have the time. They think they don’t have the talent or the right tools, or permission or credentials. These are all challenges I’ve helped people with.

I give them the map and we take the steps as they follow the road to confidence and success.

A PATH TO YOUR CALLING

My work is my Calling. I want to make the world a more beautiful place by filling it with more artists. 

The art world has opened up. It’s not what it was, even a year ago. Artists can create their own creative career path, which creates their own future.

Welcome to your future. 

The Working Artist Masterclass. And for the next few days only, available at a very special price.  Connect today! 

https://theworkingartist.com

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But in a time full of darkness, there is a beacon of light for both art lovers and artists as The Museum of Wild and Newfangled Art (mowna) announces their new online Biennial, a museum born out of the pandemic and specifically designed for the digital age. Launching Friday, April 30, 2021, the show will run until September 22, 2021, and features an international pool of artists selected from 44 countries throughout the world.

Co-founders Cari Ann and Joey Zaza created this new online Biennial with the goal of supporting artists by not only showcasing their work, but also helping them make a living. In fact, 70% of the profits earned by the museum through membership sales, store sales, and ticket sales go directly to the artists!

The Museum spent the greater half of January and February selecting artists to participate in their new online Biennial and they are proud to announce they will be supporting over 100 artists on their digital platform with over 20 hours of content to be viewed from images, paintings, drawings, videos, fashion, sculptures, photography, and much more.

Co-founder Joey Zaza says “there’s nowhere else that you can see this collection of art, in this way. There are hours of artwork to explore, play with, and listen to, twenty-four hours a day.”

Featured works include “The Lockdown”, a VR sonic memory installation by Mana Saei, “Planes of resistance” an empathy experiment to explore the world from the vantage point of a black woman using autobiographical acrylic compositions and sound by Linda Rebeiz, a Lebanese-Senegalese artist living in Accra, Ghana, “ERRANDS”, a portrait series documenting our shared shelter-in-place experiences by Zachary Handler of Baltimore, Maryland who will perform 3 slots of portraits per week for the month of May to museum guests, first come, first serve. “Susan” is an interactive augmented/virtual reality and video sculpture web experience by Sue Roh, a Brooklyn-based Korean-American multimedia artist navigating the IRL and URL. “Black Man in America” is a film by Vance Brown and Justina Kamiel Grayman from New York, NY. An interactive new-media installation, “AuxeticBreath”, visualizes the rhythmic respiratory rate, as well as tidal volume of collective human breaths using soft robotics covered with auxetic structures by Hyejun Younof Salzburg, Austria. “PETSCII leaks” by ailadi, an Italian artist whose works have been viewed hundreds of millions of times, are a series of ASCII inspired gif comics. A series of experimental music videos from the opera “The Magic Hummingbird” by Joseph Martin Waters from San Diego, CA will also be shown.

To kick off the Biennial, mowna will host a special screening of the feature doc The Faithful: The King, The Pope, The Princess, by Annie Berman on April 30th at 9 pm Eastern Time. The opening event will also be followed by a Q&A and a first look at the entrance to the Biennial!

Tickets and museum memberships can be purchased on their website, https://www.mowna.org/.

About mowna

mowna seeks to create an ever changing, fun, thoughtful, beautifully designed space to encourage awareness and mindfulness through the exhibition and experience of art and serves the public’s need for art for the highest good of all. By addressing the current needs of not only the artist but also the audience, mowna is breaking barriers within the global art community.

mowna offers the preservation of artworks through an online collection that is an educational resource and archive for its members and its artists, and aims to find, display, and support wild and newfangled art through the incorporation of innovative new technologies and mediums. mowna provides artists with financial compensation for their art and expands awareness of their talents via a sustainable platform where they can flourish.

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The Black Lives Matter movement has helped our entire society understand the dominant forces of white supremacy that have run our nation for hundreds of years. This movement is just one example of the influences of this centuries-old approach on our culture. Further, it gives us a course of action for how we can change it. And this all starts with inclusion and diversity.

The state of diversity in the art industry

No industry or organization is immune from this awakening. And that includes the world of art.

Nearly two million Americans consider themselves artists. Yet, most of what America views as art is produced predominantly by white artists. In New York City galleries alone, 88 percent of artists featured are white.

Institutional racism keeps Black people locked out of the art world, putting these talented artists in a disadvantaged position, subject to exploitation and discrimination.

The danger lies when we, as a society and fellow artists, pretend we don’t see it or worse, feel we can’t do anything to change the narrative.

Here are a few ways to encourage diversity in the art world and support Black artists.

Use the wow factor to pioneer change

Photographer and artist, Brien Hollowell, knows the pressure of having to deliver. “As a Black artist, I am always searching for how to bring beautiful work to the table and deliver the story of how my journey as an artist began,” Hollowell says.

His work on the soon-to-open Clayton Members Club in Denver did exactly that. With a mixture of previous work and brand-new features, Hollowell’s goal was to wow his audience with cutting-edge work. Incorporating Black life and art into the walls of a historically one-dimensional experience was important to the founders of the Clayton Club and Brien’s photography brings to life the everyday and extraordinary.

Art has the ability to make people experience the world in a new way and challenge their perspectives. Take the Don’t Hide mural installation at 14th & Stout for instance. Housed along Denver’s theater district, the expansive installation is the largest mural ever created by renowned street artist Shantell Martin and tells the story of the process, creating a piece with no defined beginning or end.

When looking at art for your organization, remember to consider more than just the interior walls. A parking garage, exterior wall, or even a fence can make for a unique art experience.

Embrace the lessons in history and storytelling

Art tells a story and shapes our views of the world. For Kendra Dandy, the artist behind some of the vibrant works at the forthcoming Catbird Hotel in Denver, art gives insight into the lived experience.

“Being a Black artist means being able to express my creativity through a unique perspective due to what we’ve experienced in our lives and through our culture,” says Dandy.

There are many ways to embrace history and diversity when it comes to your immersive artworks. There’s no better place to start than with the artists themselves. At NINE dot ARTS, clients are often told that it’s easy to hang art on the walls. But having an artist articulate their inspiration allows viewers to understand the vision and connect with the history and experience of the piece.

Another way is to incorporate local artifacts and regional significance into art design. Find ways to embrace the culture of your space and the community you serve. Even the most historic areas can benefit from an immersive art experience.

Creating narrative events is also important in telling the story of your project, the local community, and the artist’s experiences. In Martin’s “Don’t Mind. You + Me” bench sculpture, a message of togetherness springs forth from her design through bold, yet straightforward words and her trademark style of black and white drawings. As a self-described “cultural facilitator,” Martin emphasizes the way colors, shapes, philosophies, and identities are intertwined, chronicling the connected paths of us all.

Bring the right voices to the table

Inclusion and diversity begin with the understanding that life is viewed from a myriad of perspectives. By bringing different voices to the table, you directly address the deficits in your way of thinking and doing business. It gives you a fuller, multi-faceted view of the world.

As you begin to create immersive art experiences, don’t just focus on the message you’re hoping will connect with your audience. Focus also on who should deliver that message.

The Bonfils-Stanton Foundation knows firsthand the importance of art. As one of the leading arts funding foundations in Denver, they wanted their new space to express the beauty of the local arts community they support. Critical to this endeavor was the use of multiple, diverse voices from established and emerging local artists. They even created a bilingual curatorial packet of the art collection for non-English speaking visitors to the space.

This is just one example of how an inclusive art experience can enable important and valuable perspectives. Yet sadly, diversity is often not thought of when it comes to art projects.

“It’s only recently that institutions across the country have exhibited and collected the work of Black artists in significant numbers,” says Floyd Tunson, the artist behind multiple pieces at The Elizabeth Hotel. “As art centers become more inclusive, they’ll be better for it.”

This kind of inclusion doesn’t only impact the audience. Inclusion matters to up and coming artists looking to see their faces and voices reflected. “When I started as a photographer in Denver, I didn’t have any Black artist role models locally,” says Hollowell. “However, in New York, I was surrounded by many talented Black photographers. The things I learned there allowed me to pioneer my way here.”

It’s time to embrace diversity in art

Art brings heart to an organization. It provides eye-opening opportunities to have important conversations about race, history, and power. It requires multiple voices and vulnerable, honest communication.

This all begins with more representation for artists of color and increased support. “In the commercial art world, Black artists, except for a very few, fall behind when it comes to commanding top prices for top-level work,” says Tunson.

Yet, he is hopeful this will soon change. And for NINE dot ARTS, we believe it must. The more diversity you have, the more you realize the truth of the world. And art can be the catalyst to make sure that story is told.

About the Author: Martha Weidmann, CEO, and co-founder of NINE dot ARTS

Martha’s deep understanding of the art business and tenacious drive for business success is something all her own. As CEO and co-founder of NINE dot ARTS, Martha oversees all business operations and is basically our head cheerleader and evangelist to the world. Martha graduated from Colorado State University with a dual major – Communications and Fine Arts. She started her career with Walker Fine Art gallery in Denver, then moved on to the most prestigious art consulting firm (at the time) in the region, McGrath and Braun, from which NINE dot ARTS was born.

The post History and Diversity: Creating Immersive Experiences Using Community Collaboration appeared first on Art Business News.

Now the question arises, how can routine fetch success and how to draw inspiration from that routine? Not to worry, we think we’ve got it covered here with some concrete answers.

Where routine begins, and what a good routine looks like?

Heard the saying, “Early bird catches the worm?” This saying alone says everything about the role of routine in life. A well-planned routine begins from the moment of waking up early in the morning and ends with going to bed. Wait, it does not end here.

Certainly, these are the basics of a quality routine, but routine is something more. It is a broader concept that varies from person to person. Having a regular daily routine implies utilizing every second, every day in a productive way, and most importantly, in a proper order that synchronizes with time.

It is important to highlight that the routine must be in synchronization with time, i.e., the things that need to be done, as and when they are required to be done, not per the mood.

How routine is connected to physical and mental health?

Did you know that just like the clocks on our walls, our body has a clock too? This may sound strange, but it is true. According to Ayurveda and Vedic Science, our body has a biological clock within, which goes along with nature’s clock. It is most crucial to keep the biological clock in harmony with nature’s timing.

If we disturb the synchronization, the brain gets confused, and eventually, we receive signals from our body in the form of disease and illness. This is why it becomes more essential to set up a routine and follow it genuinely. Besides having physical benefits in the form of fitness, routine can also bring serene mental health in the form of peace, calmness, and self-satisfaction.

When one wakes up early, goes to a workout, meditates, has meals on time, spends the day working, goes to bed on time, it leads to a smooth life, both in terms of physical and mental health, compared to someone who starts the day by waking up at 10 a.m. and has sleepless nights.

This is why, from our earliest schooling, we’ve heard the good habit of “early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”

Role of routine in building basic qualities of life

“Well planned is half done.” A well-planned routine makes room for all the things to be done in time. The person with a routine can easily finish up all the work to be done during the day in the given time without having to compromise on any of the work.

It’s easy to see how organized life seems when we start living according to a firm routine that we’ve set for ourselves. People struggle so hard to achieve an organized life and complain about the chaos in their life. But they fail to understand that having organized life is hidden in having a regular daily routine itself. When you have your routine planned, it is like giving yourself instructions beforehand. No constant need for planning, no confusion, no mess, no obstacles, no shortage of time, can spoil your day and the work to be accomplished. You get a clear picture of your pending work, new duties, and other things to be fulfilled — and you simply start working on them with great efficiency.

And routine saves time. Time is one of the most valuable assets in life doesn’t wait for anyone, but it can be saved with the help of routine, eliminating the time that would otherwise be wasted in planning, preparing, decision making. You achieve a structured and disciplined lifestyle.

As an artist, you need to have discipline. It is not easy for an artist to draw inspiration from their routine and follow through with their daily activities. The biggest benefit of a routine is that it helps an artist develop discipline, which is crucial for an artist to become successful. With discipline, you can improve how you handle your time and focus on what you need to do. You can more easily eliminate distractions or things that are going on around us.

As a gallery owner, you need to gain experience and run your business. It can be hard to run a business without a routine. You feel like you are in a constant state of overload and may even be coming up with excuses and feel like you have no time left to even take care of yourself. When you draw inspiration from routine, it gives you structure and accountability for your daily activities. You will have less trouble focusing on your schedule, which will lead to more time for you. As you will be able to take care of yourself, it becomes easier to focus more on your gallery.

It can be hard for an art dealer to take time off from work for a day. An art dealer’s only time is when they are at home or away from their gallery, so an art dealer needs to draw inspiration from their routine. Even if they are too tired or think that they are too busy, a routine will help them gain discipline and become more effective in their business. They will also know exactly what their next steps are, which will help their business move forward.

A person becomes more proficient with a routine in their life because they cultivate the habit of regularly doing things. In this way, you become a master of skills done on a regular basis. Routine helps you classify your jobs as more important, less important, and medium-important tasks.

Eventually, you can prioritize the tasks and work on them accordingly.

Routine also reduces the struggle to maintain constant determination. We don’t need daily determination to bathe, wash our face or brush our teeth, right? That’s because it is a regular daily routine for us. Likewise, when you have a routine you escape the need to seek a source of determination and motivation. It simply goes with the flow. Along with this smooth flow comes self-confidence, which becomes the fuel to gear up and maintain the routine with stability.

We can choose to use our routine as an inspiration, but no one truly wants to copy their routine exactly, nor does one want to become like everyone else. The great thing about routines is that they allow you to do the same thing every day. But if we are to take inspiration from routine, we can work with it and change it up. Examples of how you can work with a routine to create something inspired:

• What were you dreaming about while sleeping? Take inspiration from sleeping and draw an artwork about your dreams or about sleeping — or even what you do as part of your routine before you sleep. This may include listening to a relaxing song or reading a book before falling asleep.

• There’s nothing wrong with taking inspiration from a routine as long as it is something that you would do anyway. Don’t be afraid to switch up your routines for a while and see what works best for you. You might give this a test by taking an hour or two every Monday for a month to work on any artwork that comes to your imagination, without worrying about making money or selling the piece. See which of those Mondays you are most inspired by.

Role of routine in cultivating hobbies

When we speak about following a daily routine, most people get the picture of a busy life, with no time for leisure. But routines don’t work that way. Instead, they reward us with more free time. When completing our routine on time, we have the rest of the time left to do things that we love, like our hobbies and other leisure activities. This brings a sense of joy as we are able to do more of the things we want in life. It is also possible that a routine can lead us toward a more stress-free life.

On a broader vision, a stable routine helps a person set goals, work towards them, achieve success, and keep a track of the success. By following a stable routine, a person can achieve basic qualities in life like punctuality, consistency, discipline, time management ability, health consciousness, better mental health, and so on, all of which are the foundation for success in the world.

To Conclude

Routine plays a magnificent role, from achieving physical health and mental health to basic qualities in life and achieving success in life. It is a medicine for most of the problems in life, be it health-related, career-related, or personal expectations. It’s the reason why health experts, monks, counselors, education providers, and almost everyone suggest the benefits of having a regular balanced routine. It may seem boring and rigid to beginners but as you start following it sincerely, it can become a source for happiness and self-satisfaction.

Routines differ from person to person on the basis of their requirements and goals. Each one of us should build our own routine. After knowing the enormous benefits you can reap from a routine, there is no place for second thoughts. Get your routines planned and set up so you can be on the road to finding a more contented, successful life.

About the Author:

Jack Lee is a journalism student at the University of Toronto and a freelance writer from ThesisHelpers.com. He is interested in a healthy lifestyle and engaging in outdoor activities, but most of the time it won’t be the case – you’ll probably find him on the couch, watching another episode of The Big Bang Theory.

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