Words from the Artist

Words from the Artist is a series of interviews with various artist members of Houston Art Showcase by blog editor Ruth Armas. 

As an enthusiast of visual art, I always like to know a little more about the artist who creates it. In observing a piece, it’s often the case that I’m left with questions about the artist and how he or she came to the conclusion of their work that now lives on a canvas, expressed as a three dimensional object, captured in a photograph, etc. Needless to say, art comes in all different shapes, colors, and sizes, (just to list a few of the primary elements) and then brought to life through the individual style and technique of the artist. Today, I’m sharing a little insight from my interview with Rodrigo Aguilera. He is the artist involved with using those same elements mentioned and creating art with his converging style of abstract and realism. 

"Self Portrait" 30" x 24" Mixed Media on Canvas - 2015
Rodrigo Aguilera

Rodrigo, would you like to introduce yourself?

Hello… I am Rodrigo Aguilera, originally from Bogota, Colombia. I have been living and working in Houston for the past 30 years.  I have my degree in painting from the Superior Academy of Arts in Bogota Colombia of the Francisco Jose de Caldas University.  Also, I have a background in graphic design from EL SENA in Colombia. I have been drawing and painting all of my life. This is my passion.

Can you describe your work for us?

MY ARTIST STATEMENT…

Brightly colored and organic shapes, painting a combination of abstract and realism. When viewers watch my paintings they can see at first instance one large image. After a closer look they will recognize hundreds of small colored organic shapes. That is very pleasing to my eye.

For me, color on the canvas is the most important element. I play with the pigments creating contrast in different hues, tones, tints, values, and saturation in multiple layers of acrylic colors, oils, and the inclusion of thread on the canvas. I hope that the person experiencing my paintings will feel a delight, similar to that of listening to music.

What attracts you to abstract art?

As you read in my statement, it is both abstract and realistic at the same time. The abstract part attracts me because of the harmonies of color. I relate it very much with music. In this case, it is visual music. 

"Barb" 30" x 24" Mixed Media on Canvas - 2015
Rodrigo Aguilera

Can you tell us what “being creative” means to you and when you discovered it was something you had to do?

Being creative to me means inspiration. Therefore, inspiration is being connected with the feeling of harmony; a pleasant and lovely motivation. And yes, I have to do it because I want people to enjoy it. People need it.

What kind of routine or ritual do you have before you begin a project? Do you have a creative cycle or process?

My first approach is to decide my subject matter. Usually, it is the portrait such as a contemporary portrait based on a photograph. The expression of the eyes in my model has to see me in the picture. I don't think I have a creative cycle, but yes, I have a process. 

Tell us about one of your favorite works and why you remember it?

For me, very often my favorite one is the most recent one. Currently, my favorite would be my self-portrait. A self-portrait is a tradition in painting in the history of art. It is a challenge where I hope to demonstrate talent, mastery, and dominion in order to say something to people.

Do you have a general message that you try to communicate with your art?

My general message would be in one word… harmony.

What medium would you like to explore next and why?

Right now, it is mixed media with acrylic, oil, and thread. I think I will continue exploring with these for a while.

"Jennifer" 30" x 30" Mixed Media on Canvas - 2015
Rodrigo Aguilera

Lastly, what’s the best advice you've received, or that you can give us about how to nurture creativity?

To set our minds with the spiritual. By spiritual, I mean all good, peaceful, pleasant, and joyous things. Pray…why not.

Thank you Rodrigo for taking the time to share your thoughts and ideas about yourself as an artist and your work. You stated that you have a process, and I would agree that creating art not only includes a skill set to attempt and follow through with the tangible aspect or the product, but also as the process is the intangible that precedes the tangible; a thought, an emotion, or "being connected," as you say, that comes as the inspiration.

You can see and enjoy more of Rodrigo’s work at his artist website. 

If you liked this post and found it helpful, please leave a comment and share with others to help support Houston Art Showcase artists.

Discoveries at Houston’s Bayou City Art Festival

Posted on April 5, 2015by theartofangela

Bayou City Art Festival 2015

The weather was beautiful as droves people in waves walked the trail along Memorial Park.  It felt good having the warm sun guide the path to the Bayou City Art Festival (Bayou Fest). Twice a year this event is held, showcasing amazing art from juried, national, and international artists. Over 30,000 people came this year, & for the first time it featured the younger artists (age 11 & up) in art competitions. People love to go to find original art at the best deals, have fun with friends & be a part the Houston lively art scene. However, I go on a research mission, wanting to discover & learn what it takes to be a juried winner & go on tour to different festivals all over the U.S. (& World). And the best way to find answers for a self-taught artist is to learn from those who already achieved those big dreams. I know there are others just like me. If you weren’t able to go, these are the 5 things I learned from going to the festival this year.

1. Save money, research booth requirements, and plan in advance before submitting to shows like Bayou Fest. Yes, you have to have a booth. Each booth in the festival abides by a list of regulations that goes with public safety (preventing fires, collapse, etc.) and protecting art from being damaged. The information is on the Art Colony Association website (http://www.artcolonyassociation.org/). For a starting artist, it can be expensive to set up your own ($600 & up). However, there are some artists & vendors you can research that will sell or rent out cheaper used booths.
2. Start early building a large art collection, large enough to fit at least 2-3 booths. For when things sale, you have to remember blank walls are dead space, an eyesore for customers, & judges.
3. Have fun & paint what you love! And remember it doesn’t have to be one particular subject. Fine Artist Jeff Hamachek was inspired by his home, created his own art for every room from the kitchen to the man cave. His work sold quickly too, & for the same reason people could see it inside their homes as well.
4. Have a lot of conversations with the fine artists there. By networking with different artists, you quickly learn what the next big event to prepare for is. As well as which shows to that don’t give as much profit. By word of mouth, I was able to determine which cities next to try to showcase for in the future.
5. Enjoy making a lot of high quality prints of your work. It sales! I saw that a lot throughout the art festival. Some booths appeared to have at least 2/3rds of their space devoted to quality art prints. There are different techniques in print making, these were the ones I thought were stood out the most:
   1. Artist Sheryl E. & Jimmy D. McDonald- Life sized Mannequins from head to toe hundreds of mini prints all from original art work along their body, bright vivid scenery & abstract paintings. It had so much of a flare it caught the eye of a fashionista buyer & also mine. Visit more of their work athttp://www.JimmyMcDonald.com
   2. Artist Barry Reithmeier and his use of 3D landscapes abstract on stainless steel, absolutely beautiful, check out more on his website:http://www.barryreithmeier.com/About.html
   3. Artist Jeff Hamachek uses GICLÉE art prints done by Legacy Fine Art Prints in Houston. They scan the original painting rather than take a high resolution picture & do excellent color matching. The finished product looks on canvas exactly like the painting. I learned the same style prints are often used in museum and fine art exhibits. See more of Jeff’s work at http://jhamachekart.com/ as well as ordering Legacy Fine Art Prints at http://legacyfineartprinters.com/

Overall, it was a wonderful experience. I had an amazing day in the park, saw a tremendous amount of art. Though I did not eat, felt really full from all the valuable information! I really enjoy learning about the most thriving artist environments, and always take notes on everything. You see my reports monthly online, and hope it enlightens others who are also extremely artistic, but never know how to break through into the professional art business. May we grow on this journey together and never stop learning new skills. For now, signing off, take care and have a blessed week.

Sincerely,

Angela S.

HAS Editor/Blogger/Emerging Visual Artist

Follow work on fb/twitter/instagram: TheArtofAngela

P.S. If you have any art events, artist workshops in the Houston area, and would like to for me to promote & give a detailed art review, please contact via email atartofangela@outlook.com

The Art Issue: How to Write a Proposal (& Get Funding) in the Arts

Posted on March 4, 2015by theartofangela

The most difficult aspects of being an artist , ironically, is not painting, or getting enough exposure. It’s finding funding, covering expenses, and getting into more prestigious establishments. An essential requirement to survive is learning how to write an art proposal. Art proposals provide funding through grants for large art projects, as well as get into career- advancing events. In Houston, right now, it’s open call season for exhibition proposals to prominent places such as Project Row House, Fresh Arts in Winter Street Studios, and Lawndale Art Center.

So what do you do if you are a self-taught artist and the thought of writing one seems overwhelming? What special wording are all the judges and curators looking for? How can you avoid being disqualified and rejected? And most importantly, how do you personalize everything to reflect on your art work?

For me, those answers could not be found on Google, or through any art manual at the bookstore. I discovered, through Facebook (by coincidence), Fresh Arts was conducting a How to Write an Effective Art Proposal Workshop. It included the panel of judges from Project Row House (Ryan Dennis), Fresh Arts (Sarah Schellenburg), Lawndale Art Center (Dennis Nance) which discussed everything for only $10 ($5/members)! It took place this past Wednesday at Winter Street Studios. I feel sorry for those who could not make it, and want to share the tips I learned last week.

An effective proposal is broken down into 4 parts:

• Core Concept
• What all would be included in the exhibition?
• Feasibility? (the cost/budget)
• Does it fit with the Organizations Mission?

Part 1: the Core is the most important aspect, it should state a subject matter, include if it came from a story (with reference), and if someone came into your studio to see this work, could you guess what their first questions would be?  Why are you making it? What are you conveying to the viewer?

Part 2: Included is what would be included in the exhibition. What’s the medium of the main components to your project? (Projection, dance, sound, painting, sculpture, etc.) What would happen during performances? Who are your collaborators, and would you want to give an artist talk or host a special event?

Part 3: The tools is writing out in details your budget, listing everything needed, equipment, manpower moving trucks, framing, installations, televisions, projectors, everything down to the little details (extension cords, screws, sound system, etc.) the dollar budget, and time frame you hope to have everything accomplished by

Part 4: The fit, does this really align with the mission of the presenting organization or space? This is very important to more organizations, and it should also be important to you too. Try not to apply to every exhibition. You will burn out quickly, and lose the authenticity (meaning & purpose) to why you are doing this in the first place. Ask yourself what are your goals, and how can showing here take me in the direction I want to go in my career. And if your mission is in sync with theirs it also increases your chances to getting accepted.

The panel spoke that when they reject a proposal, it may not be they don’t like it, some they actually love. But why do they reject?  I learned from the judges that art proposals that got rejected were mostly based on presentation. They do not require a perfectly written novel just a page that shows your idea clearly. To avoid confusion, use proper punctuation, write in complete sentences, use terminology (wording) that everyone can understand. Writing a couple of rough drafts helps increase clarity and reading a loud proposals to friends can help you spot errors before submitting the final copy will prevent possible rejection. Avoid attaching dark, grainy pictures. Provide quality reference pictures of your art work. And if you are still rejected, it is not because your art work stinks (Really?).

It’s may be because:

• the timing isn’t right,
• you may need to develop stronger skills and a clearer vision
• the budget doesn’t add up (it may be too expensive, research grants & include sponsors)
• or the organization/venue mission is different from your own

Overall, the workshop was excellent, it provided a nurturing environment that every artists: rookie, emerging, mid-career, and professional artists could actually grow from. My favorite part was hearing responses from the panel of judges, especially in regards to the past selected winners, and getting a plethora of information on how to get started. The only critic would be the time, I hope this workshop gets offered more than once, so I could recommend it to more artists! Also recommend if Fresh Arts could print out an information booklet opposed to email. It could be a best seller because it contained everything under the kitchen sink to art proposals- nearly 100 pages of slides, listing of all the venues with their contact information, deadlines, grants, photographers, & even tips from professional art consultant Cary Reeder.

For more information on proposals visit

• Lawndale Art Center: http://www.lawndaleartcenter.org/exhibitions/proposals.shtml
• Fresh Arts:  https://www.fresharts.org/content/call-exhibition-proposals 
• Project Row Houses: http://projectrowhouses.org/artist-proposals/

I really enjoy learning about the most thriving artist environments, and always take notes on everything. You see my reports monthly online, and hope it enlightens others who are also extremely artistic, but never know how to break through into the professional art business. May we grow on this journey together and never stop learning new skills. For now, signing off, take care and have a blessed week.

Sincerely,

Angela S.

Houston Art Showcase Editor

Emerging Visual Artist

Follow work on fb/twitter/instagram: TheArtofAngela

Finding A New Mission in the Arts

Posted on February 3, 2015 by theartofangela

Recently, I went on a journey of self-discovery in the arts. I learned a mandatory requirement at different galleries is having an art statement with your work.  An artist statement is an artist’s written description of their work. The brief verbal representation is and in support of, his or her own work to give the viewer understanding. As such it aims to inform, connect with an art context, and present the basis for the work; it is therefore didactic, descriptive, or reflective in nature (from Wikipedia). The definition sounds very confusing to me and I am mostly self-taught. So what do you do if you are a gifted artist, but not so keen on the grammar and formality of it all? So I ventured to Winter Street Studios to see the How to Write a Great Artist Statement workshop hosted by Fresh Arts, & instructed by Elizabeth White-Olsen (founder of Writespace).

1. I discovered, is that I am not alone with this problem. It was a large packed room of artists writing notes. And similar to college, we had a power point presentation as well as handouts to follow along with the instructor.
2. We were able to see a few art professionals work, read aloud their statements, & discussing their flaws, and soon was able to discover my own. An artist took on the use of big words to describe all of their work, and by the end, it sounded like a jumbled artist soup, you understood where they wanted to go, but the message couldn't be fully delivered. And learned the best method to tackle this problem is to go basic, keep it in simplified vocabulary, and you will be able to deliver to any audience.
3. The instructor delivered another interesting technique and concept. Imagine the audience blindfolded at your exhibit, unable to see your art work, and they could only follow along with what you wrote. So in a small paragraph, describe what made that painting come to life inside your head? Was this influenced by a family member, historical event, tragedy, etc? What was your main message you wanted other to know from this piece? Also what were the tools & mediums you used to bring your work to life? The class response was in deep silence, most of us became aware of how writing this process is not complicated or intimidating as we make it out to be. And Elizabeth (the instructor) took this a step further. In the middle of the presentation, when we were comfortable with each other. She broke us into small groups & were able to discuss and personalize our statements even further.

Overall, I heard a lot of buzz from others that this was an eye opening experience. In two hours, we were able to get a sample of what we needed to get done.  My friends & I wished it could have been an all-day workshop, bringing a laptop, collection of our art work, breaking into the same teams, and coming out with completed statements to submit to the galleries the same day. However, I don’t think that’s the purpose of what the facilitators (Fresh Arts & Writespace) were trying to accomplish. This experience was just to get our feet wet & to think for ourselves. And also learned we can email Elizabeth our mission statements, & can schedule more workshops or a one-on-one art consultations for all aspects of written artist work (biographies, proposals, and more) And that what made the entire experience extremely helpful. Whitespace is founded by Elizabeth White-Olsen, it’s a creative arts non-profit group that offers onsite and online writing workshops, manuscript consultations, and editing services that started May of last year. And Fresh Arts is a non-profit group that hosts career-building art workshops, as well as exhibitions, performances, art salons and more.

I really enjoy learning about the most thriving artist environments, and always take notes on everything, which mostly goes unpublished until now. I discovered a new talent and that’s writing savvy art blogs on different adventures all over Houston. You see my reports monthly online on the Houston Arts Showcase website and also on WordPress (The Art of Angela) hope these post enlightens others who are also extremely artistic, but never know how to break through into the professional art business. May we grow on this journey together and never stop learning new skills (even if you reach the top). For now, signing off, take care and have a blessed week.

-Angela S.

Follow work on fb/twitter/instagram/wordpress: TheArtofAngela

The Artist Spotlight. A video interview with local artist Patrick Palmer.

Houston Art Showcase in collaboration with Vide-Art Studio, would like to invite you to view our monthly interview for The Artist Spotlight with local Artist Patrick Palmer, who also serves as the Dean for Glasell School of Art.  

The Artist Spotlight. A video interview with local artist Richard Payne.

Houston Art Showcase in collaboration with Vide-Art Studio, would like to invite you to meet the man behind the cover for Houston Art Showcase web page. Richard Payne FAIA is a former practicing architect and one of the most respected, experienced, and widely published photographers of architecture in the United States. Known nationally for his work for leading architects, designers, contractors and corporations, he has completed assignments throughout the US, as well as projects in Australia, Canada, Venezuela, Mexico, France, Germany, Spain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.