
Why do people collect art? It's one way to connect to the creative process. Collectors are people who realize that without creativity and innovation there is nothing new in our future.
Before I became an artist I sold the work of other artists. In the late eighties I was an art consultant at the newly opened Martin Lawrence Galleries in West Oaks Mall in Houston, Texas. Our inventory included pricey works by artists like Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and Picasso.
The lighting in the showroom was specifically designed for viewing original works of art. But it was even more magical in the snug viewing rooms that lined the sides of the gallery. They were each about 8 feet by 14 feet with seating on one end and a place for the art at the other. Once a client selected a couple of pieces, they were escorted into one of the small spaces. The work was then installed at the far end of viewing room for an intimate showing. The controlled lighting made the art vibrant.
One weekend the mall sponsored an arts and crafts fair for a group of Houston artists. Handmade items filled the interior of the mall. Each time I had a spare minute I would slip out to see what the local artists were selling.
I hate to admit it but I was saddened by how pitiful the local art in that particular show looked. The paintings were much smaller than the ones we were carrying. The paint application was stingy. Even the frames looked dowdy. The experience made me realize what it meant to be a professional artist. It illustrated that someone who wanted to make a living by selling her creations had to take the time to craft the best possible work. I also noted that the use of the post possible materials was important.
This brings me to the question "what kind of mall art are you selling?" Are you inside the well lighted gallery showing only the best work from your inventory? Or are you wedged next to the sunglasses and handbag kiosks with art work duct taped into beat up frames hoping someone will notice your greatness?
My creating motto for 2012 is "Bigger, Better, Bitchier and Buckier." I arrived at that theme after art critic Robert Pincus said during his one on one critique of my work that he'd like to see my work "bigger." So I'm making bigger work even if this means I have to produce a lesser number of pieces this year. "Better" means I'm examining the construction of everything I put out for public consumption. "Bitchier" means leaving my "Miss Congeniality" threads behind and moving into the realm of tough confrontational work. And "Buckier" means charging more for my work because it is worth more than I realize. So what kind of mall art are you selling in 2012?




























