I woke up late today and took my sweet time to get to the studio. I just felt like i needed to slow down, even though tomorrow a juror will come to select works for our exhibition.
I wish I had more time to work on my work, because I think my better works take time to not only paint, but to develop in my head. (My most recent and successful piece at UCSC took 4 weeks to plan, design, and at least 3 more additional weeks to paint).
I met this lady today who told me she went to the same school as I go to! She also majored in art and also had Frank Galuszka as a professor. She’s now a tattoo artist who got really mad when we were discussing art and the high class snobbery that happens in the art world. She mentioned Shepard Fairey and got really offended when I said he was a sell out – and told me some real personal things like how she was living out of her car for a long time. Despite my uncomfortableness and sorrow, I can see now what she meant. Sure, Fairey may be doing things that I myself as an artist do not feel authentic to do (in regards to the integrity of my art), but it’s a real hard world out there. I guess she sort of opened my mind a little to the harsh realities, reminding me that sometimes people have to do what they have to do to live.
(Is no one free under this capitalist society?)