The Rebellious Curator

I believe this quote can apply to over-sharing our journey as artists. I think some of the best artists from our past, and many of the best of our contemporaries today, work quietly in isolation and only make their art public when work is completed and they feel the overwhelming desire to share it. 

"Travel and tell no one.

Live a true love story and tell no one.

Live happily and tell no one.

People ruin beautiful things." 

- Kahil Gibran

"For God so loved the world

that he gave his only begotten son

that whosoever believes in Him

shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Ode to Creativity m/m

This is 21 years of paint build-up on just one of the table tops in my teaching studio.

I was sorting through some of my old paperwork this morning, and came across "Artist Statement Guidelines".

There were 7 questions and these are my honest answers as of TODAY:

1. What am I doing?

Answer: Most of the time, I don't know.

2. How am I doing it? 

Answer: Experimenting and mostly play.

3. Why am I doing it?

Answer: To satisfy the need to express myself.

4. What influences me?

Answer: Mostly 19c Masters and Modern mid-20c masters.

5. How does my work relate to the art of my contemporaries?

Answer: I don't really relate to my contemporaries. 

6. What do I want people to understand about my work?

Answer: Nothing. I want them to find something in it for themselves.

7. What do I want to share with people?

Answer: I want people to think.

What would YOUR answers be today?

1.Do you know how to communicate your message or vision in words?

2. Do you have 10-20 recent pieces of art ready to sell?

3. Are the pieces consistent in style?

4. Is your pricing nailed down?

These were the questions I asked myself and others before considering an art show. Now, I look at the same questions and wonder if this line of reasoning is still relevant. Galleries have evolved in the past few years, especially since the pandemic. Brick and mortar galleries are fewer and far between as so many artists are moving online. 

Does this change the way we look at solo exhibits or group exhibits?

Does this change the pricing of our work?

How else have things changed for artists? Especially for artists who's work is best viewed in-person, like installation and assemblage.  

The art world is changing. We may be turning a corner, and artists are being forced to look at promoting their work differently, or making different kinds of art. Is it time for artists to consider evolving their style and practice to adapt to the coming changes?

What are your thoughts? Do you think things are changing for artists? If so, how are you coping with the change, and how will you adapt?

Please send your thoughts to jones07@telus.net

"Don't wish me happiness. I don't expect to be happy all the time, it's not possible. 

Instead, wish me courage and strength, and a sense of humor. I'll need those the most."

(Not sure who said this, but I like it. And I would add to that, wisdom)

Thought I'd post a photo of the last of my cemetery paintings which I completed yesterday.

Titled 1 Thess. 4:16   o/c

Changes in the gallery landscape and the over-saturation of abstract artists has prompted me to consider moving in a new direction.

I've noticed an exponential increase in abstract artists both online and in galleries, and contrary to stats, women abstract artists do currently dominate the artworld. It's not a bad thing, and I encourage women artists to make art when they have something to say, but there are too many right now, and it makes me yawn. Whenever there are trends, the quality of work descends, and it's time for me to go another way.

My focus will be on miniatures, dollhouses, dioramas, and re-thinking and re-purposing structures into assemblage. 

I may return to painting in a few years, but for now, I will be a closet painter. 

"Be the curator of your life. Slowly cut things out until you are left with what you love, what's necessary, and with what makes you happy." - Leo Babauta

Follow Kleinwerks Gallery on IG for latest miniature exhibits, and Kleinwerks on FB, for dollhouses, dioramas and new builds.

Coming soon, my new YT channel Lilactree Miniatures currently under construction.

Attribution - (def.) The act of attributing something, especially the ascribing of literature and art to a particular author or artist. In simple terms, signing your work.

I currently posted an online exhibit for Kleinwerks Gallery (IG), where I purposely did not reveal that the work is mine. I have made a point of doing this for most of my own work that I post on Kleinwerks IG. (Note: If I am featuring other artists, I always cite their full name, contact info, and statement). However, for myself, I have chosen not to.

Why? Part of the reason is because I have always had difficulty tooting my own horn. The idea of creating work and sharing it with the world anonymously is very appealing to me. 

My other reasoning has to do with the current culture: we live in a very self-interested society. Social Media has made it easy to exhibit our every thought and point the viewer to ourselves. I wanted to explore the opposite idea - In contrast to the current trends, what if we did not attribute our work? What if the work had to be taken at face value, without knowing the artist's gender, race, socio-economic status, or education? What if a well-known artist did not reveal their signature? Would the viewers see their work differently? I wonder if knowing who the artist is has ever skewed the meaning of the work? There is the point that good artists usually have a recognizable style which can give it away quickly and that's a good thing too. 

These are interesting questions and I welcome dialogue on the subject. Feel free to email your thoughts to jones07@telus.net

Thank you for stopping by!

Then, we have the ever-too-common, hyper-curated IG photos of female painters poised in front of their abstracts wearing paint-splattered overalls, next to a mug of organic loose-leaf tea sitting atop carefully positioned Pottery Barn furnishings. Does anyone take these people seriously? 

How does one wade through this ultra-deceptive society without banging their head against the wall, and yet, function in the Covid-on-line culture...does anyone else struggle with this, or is it just me?

I feel like it is just me.