I work in the fine art industry and I have done many roles - intern, photographer, gallery assistant, digital/photo lab assistant, art handler, registrar, and archivist. Iβve been in this game since I was 15 (s/o FotoFest International) - I am now 28. Iβve seen many types of situations unfold and have met lots of different personality types. You will meet narcissists, artists with insane egos, and some of the nicest, brilliant people. You will also meet nepo babies, people who donβt know what to do, and people who are really about it. Personally, I am an artist who wants to work with artists to help them succeed and archive their work. Tbh for me, I love someone who can have a crazy personality but is also grounded. Right now, I am an archivist at Gladstone Gallery and I am plotting my own art advisory. Seeking surrealists tbh.
Feb 7, 2024
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Unfortunately god granted me with the skills to be great at many useless things. For example I could draw a pretty picture or memorize 157 lines for a play.
But now that I have to work a real job I have no idea what is going on. Additionally I am way too sensitive for my own good. This makes learning feel awful.
Today one of my co workers talked down to me in a way that made me absolutely shut down. All I can say is that I was not born to be an office girly. I was born to make pretty pictures, but alas.
Stay strong to all the artsy people forced to work in a field you donβt really vibe with (or with people who make you feel bad inside)!
Mar 5, 2025
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So vulnerable, I have to be sincere. European and American art galleries historically are not only promoters of great art, they are creators of markets. That may be where you could shift focus.
Your worth is that you are young, eating rat, living a life of passion, filth, messiness, body horror (per my comment on such) unique and unknown to those with money. They crave you, not for your art. That's worthless to them. The art, as photographs per Sontag in my other rec, is simply a receipt that they owned a piece of your lifestyle for a moment. No one who will buy your art will likely give a fuck about your art. Stop seeking those. Find the Glengarry Glen Ross customers seeking life, escape from drudgery, a need to prove something to themselves. Let your art be that for them.
Enough bs theory, now for implementation. You won't sell your art, but you can sell the frustration, bloodsweattears, dedication, sacrifice that drips from your post. You can do so by simultaneously reminding yourself you are not creating ART but CREATING art. Your work and worth is not on a canvas. It's not the art. It's in you, the artist.
May 11, 2024
Top Recs from @enjoyyourworld
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I love symbolism !!! Like, yes I wanna read between the lines to some crazy backstory. The Origins mean everything. I want the signs to show themselves to me. I am ready.
Feb 11, 2024
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I used to hold onto things for dear life until I realized that is self sabotage. Let things die (especially if they are failing) - you might be surprised by a rebirth or transformation.
Mar 7, 2024
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Sunday I saw Dune II. Today a coworker of mine said he was into people who are fearless. Iβve been challenged time and time again for the past two years since moving to NYC from Texas - being at my lowest points and at some of the highest. Risk and impulsive decisions can be fun if you are smart with it. The theme of this year is: Fear Less; Learning the Lesson and Taking Action.
Mar 20, 2024