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  Focus  On      JULY 2004

This is the fourth of a continuing series of Advice to Young Artists by Artrom Gallery director
David Genovesi.

Part One listed the reasons to begin referring to yourself as an artist. Now! Part Two talked about the process of believing you are the artist.
Part Three dealt with practicing the techniques that will lead you closer and closer to your unique expression, and know that this creative activity will bring you a sense of joy. To trust your Intuition. This direct knowing without conscious reasoning will be your leader.


a series of articles by
Gallery Director David Genovesi

Advice to a Young Artist Part Four:
 “I’m an artist, I believe it, I’m good enough, why aren’t I rich?
OK, let’s assume that you are producing artwork.. Beautiful, inspired, original artwork. It has engaged your concentration and has allowed you to express some inner message. The process may have been gratifying, even therapeutic, and this is important in itself.

But if nobody sees it, it can’t really take you any further. The problem today is that there is a great competition for images. TV, internet, publicity, videos, magazines, all filled with images which attempt to be always more shocking and provocative.

Today it takes more than the image to be noticed, because yours is simply one image in the multitude of other images which are floating around vying to be noticed, recognized, and validated. It is difficult today for your image to stand out among the rest. Everything around the image is now becoming more important.The way in which it’s presented, where it’s presented, how many people see the image, and more importantly, the notoriety of the artist who created the work.

So, the time is now to come out of anonymity, and make yourself visible. You personally, as the artist. To bring attention to yourself in some way. And from there, the attention will be deverted to the work. But how? you ask.. This is where your personal creativity will come into play. The challenge is to promote yourself and your art in ways which are not so apparently commercial. There is a fine line to draw in this department. Create a scandal. A creative scandal. Keep it preferably legal, but do something outrageous. In the name of Art. Be careful to keep a personal integrity but come out of your shell and be noticed.

As an artist many more things are acceptable than those of mere mortals. Get people to start talking about you, not neccesarily about the art you make, but you as the unique creative character you are. Exagerate yourself. This too is where courage comes into play. Once the light shines on your uniqueness and who you are, there will be curiosity about what you do. Your artwork then becomes more important because it was created by that person that everyone has heard about. You will find yourself being invited to participate and commissioned to create. I’ll be here waiting to hear about you. Until next month, Good Luck.