Friday, November 30, 2007

New Drawing: Have Courage My Love (details)





These images above are details from my 7th drawing which is now complete. With this drawing, there were many times were I felt that I had lost momentum, although, after much agony, it came together in the end.

Of late, I have not had very much time for my drawings. My day job has been very demanding and in the evenings and on weekends, most of my creative time has been devoted to researching grant deadlines and learning about the gallery system in this city. Much like any other business, being an artist requires hours of administrative duties including doing paperwork, writing grants, submitting gallery packages, networking, etc. It certainly isn't all fun and games.

The hardest part of these past few weeks has been learning about the financial cost of being an exhibiting artist. After all the sweat and tears, commercial galleries take 50% of the sale price of your work and if you rent a space, it is a few thousand dollars for a three week show plus publicity costs. This is of course, above other costs associated with being an artist such as materials, reproduction, framing, archiving, delivery, insurance, etc. And if naively, I thought grants would cover these costs, I was wrong. So far I have applied for three grants and been turned down for three grants. I will be applying for my fourth this weekend. What is that truism we should all follow, "Never Give Up." Yeah, that's a hard one to swallow. Truth is though that rejection sucks, but from experience I know that everything I have ever valued in this world -- personal growth, love, education, self-acceptance, independence, fearlessness, lasting friendships, self-love -- has come as a result of struggle. Never Give Up. Got it.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Dance for Democracy!


This is the most recent Besharam evite I have created. Recognize the dictator? BESHARAM I say! BESHARAM (shameless)! Not only can we dance for democracy but we can also indulge in some wishful thinking! Who said revolt can't be fun?

Monday, November 12, 2007

New Drawing: Come As You Are (details)




The images above are details from a drawing I have just completed entitled "Come As You Are". For those familiar with sex shops in Toronto, the double entendre will be obvious. And yes, for me this drawing does speak about the acceptance and celebration of sexual expression, but it also speaks of the acceptance and celebration of ourselves during our short lifetime - our joys, pain, sadness and longing for material, emotional and, above all, spiritual satisfaction.

While I have only posted images from three drawing so far, I am working away on my sixth drawing which has begun with the death of my mother 24 years ago. Keep checking back to see where it ends as I will post images when it is complete.
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