With Executive Director Stephanie Kelley at ECCO for the unveiling of the Monsignor Carter’s portrait
My PR person (me) should win an award. I have had more than my share of ink and media coverage over my 45 year career. It’s not just an ego boost. It is necessary for my career to get my name out there, to remain relevant, even though I am actually a shy person (believe it or not!). Being an artist is hard. Mastering one’s medium isn’t enough. And Standing out over all the noise is a constant challenge.
Yeah, I get around. I’m not ashamed of it, because I believe in my mission, to spread the gospel of living a creative life. I am an unabashed advocate for self expression as a means for healing the world. Through my teaching and outreach I equip people with the tools they need to be successful as artists and creatives. And success takes many forms. I am a living example of someone who has had success on many levels, technical/craftsmanship, creatively, as a story teller, serving under reached audiences, being of service to others, lifting people up, notoriety, awards and of course, some financial success. In fact, I have created a PDF, The Ultimate Guide to Creating Your Legacy, which has the key to leaving a legacy, in whatever your endeavor.
News coverage, awards, accolades and compliments are great but nothing gives me greater satisfaction than when someone makes one of my creations theirs and treasures it over a lifetime. I consider my portraits and fine art the archeology of our imagination. It is a record of our experiences and values, not just wall décor. Our art collections is an extension of who we are. My motto is “let me be famous, one person at a time.”
In my home, I love to show off the work I’ve collected from my favorite artists over the years, along with my own work. It is all lit very well and placed in the context of a well thought out interior design plan by my wife Cate. I have to say, an artist being married to an interior designer is a match made in heaven.
The art on our walls tells our story in a way color of a wall, or décor cannot. For me, the transfer of the work to another person is the consummation of the creative process. Sometimes I suffer from an imposter syndrome, if there is a lull in sales, I take it personally. Over time, I’ve learned to become more patient with the sales process. I have created my Ultimate Guide to Selling and and Marketing Your Art, but I’m always learning. But I understand half the battle is getting my work and the stories behind it in front of the right people. Speaking of which, I am planning a three day open studio next month. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to be included on the invite list.