Always… Be… Emerging
Hello friends, art lovers, and creative community! Welcome to my first blog post as a Creative Pinellas Emerging Artist Grantee for 2019-2020. I’m excited to embark on this journey over the next six months—an engaging program including mentorship, new work, blogging and participation in a group show, coming this Spring. I can’t thank Creative Pinellas enough for this wonderful opportunity.
As a lifelong artist and creative professional, I have come to fine art as both a second career and second lease on life, after a pretty good run in the ad business. Nearly ten years into turning pro artist, I can say the transition has been both personally rewarding—and professionally challenging. With this kind of experience, I must admit I may have raised a few eyebrows in clinching an “emerging artist” award. But I wouldn’t bat an eye.
Have I been steadily building a body of work, establishing a consistent style and marketing my work? Absolutely. Have I had the good fortune to exhibit in some premium venues, attract an audience and sell to a few collectors? Sure. How about awards, and public art, and corporate commissions? Check, check and check
But… do I still have a lot to learn? You betcha.
In the classic movie, Glengarry Glen Ross, Alec Baldwin’s character famously preached “Always Be Closing”, a sales mantra for his floundering real estate staff. It’s true, of course, as artists we find ourselves not only as creative visionaries, but also—practically speaking—as merchants of our own work. So, closing is a big part of our job, as well.
That said, I would like to offer an alternate mantra for artists: “Always Be Emerging”. Because our true mission is to continually change, and to grow. To reconnect with our childlike sense of curiosity, and imagination without limits. To be willing to get out of our comfort zone, to teach ourselves new tricks, to listen to and learn from those whose art and success we respect. A true artist is always in the process of evolving, experimenting and striving to achieve work that transcends expectations, and inspires others to do the same.
I look forward to doing a bit of that over the next six months. Wish me luck! I invite you to follow my progress on this blog, and join me at the links below.
Thanks,
Conceptual Pop Painter + Multimedia Artist
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