Sticking To It

One of the best things an artist can do is just keep on doing what ever it takes to have a an art life. I have done so many things, all art related to be an artist. I have conducted classes in many different venues, to bring in those dollars to have bread and shelter, I have led art tours in the city and invented other art related ventures to get to the point being self supporting as an artist/teacher. I have learned the business of art and I am still reshaping that part of my discipline. I will mention two artists that have been very instrumental by example, of what it takes to be a successful artist, Merrill Mahaffey and Dean Mitchell , are the thinking man's artists. These guys are brilliant when it comes to the business of art. You the reader can google these artists to see what I am talking about. Mo' Later.

Evidence

I have been thinking about my art life and how special it is to be able to show evidence of my existence. I mean the art that I have made and will make. The art will live on. That is a very good feeling , now a days I make art with out too much financial stress. In my salad days, I had more financial concerns than I do now. I can make the work and put it in my art bank to withdraw and sell later. Art is evidence , it's history, its very special. I am very happy about that.

Art Matters

People will spend about two thousand dollars a year on latte and other things they don't get to keep. These people are the ones who often complain about not having any money to buy art. Bottled water costs the consumer about the same amount of money. I would like to see part of those coffee and water budgets spent on works of art . Art is a way to record history, as they saying goes Ars Longa Vita Brevis. One thing that I believe strongly in is , works of art can be bought on the payment plan. Galleries should post the information to let people know that fact. Art matters, to the artist and the collector.

LoveLand Sculpture Show

I attended the Loveland Sculpture Show this weekend. I am writing this from an inn in Loveland. This city is very art friendly ,big time. Every where you look you see sculpture. WAY COOL!!!!! I love the art life, I get to see stuff that other people disregard.To see 300 plus sculptors in one place is BOFFO!!!!! It's a shame there are so many artproof people in the land. I saw a whole host of creativity in one place today. I am very excited to be a part of the art world everyday. I am very grateful. Being the originator of the NON-Starving artist project in the USA,I get bragging rights. I wear my NON Starving Artists button all the time and the general public is so non-believeing about the number of artists who are making their living with their art efforts. Too bad ,soo sad. I have a report that states that there are two million artists in the population who make their living from art. Google the NEA for the information. The art life continues in spite of the non believers. Real Artists Don't Starve- they learn how not to. Everything's good in my art neighboorhood. You can email me @ robert_ragland @ dpsk12.org. and see me at www.freewebs.com/bobragland. I am one of the best art career coaches around. You can't lose with stuff I use. Cheers.

No Knowledge About Successful Artists

Yesterday I was in the Denver Art Museum gift shop and a lady heard me say something about non starving artists. She was very quick to say that artists did not know any thing about business, well, I was quick to correct her.I told her that I could name at least fifty artists in the city and state who made thier living from their. artistic effort.I forgot that a recent NEA report noted that there are now two million artists in the population that make their living as artists. More later.