The Day Has Come!

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You know what I am going to say. After months of planning and preparation, long hours and little sleep, the day is finally here. The show opens tonight! You are more than welcome to join me and witness the results of all this effort at 6:00 pm at The Gallery at Elemar, 2 Gibbs St., New Haven, CT.

the show

In November 2011 I had my first solo show. After that, each year I had a show. This year is different. The place is larger and the expectations are bigger. You can imagine my nerves. Yes, I get nervous and very excited at the same time. Each show is different and has its own expectations. However, this show is in a larger place, with a larger audience, and the expectations are higher than ever. I just want to see who comes.

While it is true we are not in control of our circumstances, it is also true that we are in control of how we react to our circumstances. For me each show is a celebration. I celebrate and enjoy each one no matter the outcome because I always feel the blessing of God, and the support of my family and friends. For me, that is the best case scenario. Everybody else who comes to celebrate is an extra blessing. It would be a great blessing if you could make it too. You won’t be disappointed. I know I won’t be.

How to Prepare for Your Show

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Close your eyes and imagine your show. Live the moment. It is like a party. Envision how your art is displayed, how people move around to see your art, what they are eating and drinking, the background music… Visualize every detail. Now, lets prepare to show our work.

I prefer to take care of most aspects of my shows myself instead of putting it in the hands of other people. I do surround myself with people I trust to help me shape the scene and to alleviate my burden. Seek their advice, listen to their opinion, but most importantly understand their support. Make sure is people who can take care of things without prompting. Otherwise you will add unnecessary stress to yourself.

torsos invitation frontI want to share with you my experience and my process to present an art exhibit. I believe that “TORSOS” opening reception Saturday, November 22 is going to be by far, my largest yet. I am not an expert in how to organize an art exhibit but I’ve been learning and I hope to get better at it. I will appreciate your input and experience. On Saturday, I would love to shake your hand and probably give you a hug (I’m a hugger and not sorry for that). You can find the info about the show HERE.

How to prepare for your show? While there are many intricacies in presenting an art exhibit this checklist might help you get started. Before you decide you want to have an art exhibit you need to be ready with a few things.

  • Short biography
  • Artist Statement
  • Description of the show
  • 10-20 pieces to show.

Word of Advise: Make sure the amount of pieces fits the venue. You don’t want your show to look like a flea market.

  • Venue, Date and Time of the show.

I try to have this at least 3 months in advance. That time allows for you to prepare and promote properly.

  • Check the place and visualize your work there, the show, make the initial vision come to life.
  • Write a press release.

There are plenty of examples and templates online in how to write a press release. If you have someone to do it for you is fine. Some people charge to write press releases. I prefer to write it myself then ask other people to edit whatever necessary.

  • Design printed material: invitations, posters, postcards, etc.

Again, if you can’t do it yourself someone else can do it. I design my own printed material. It makes me feel closer to the show.

  • Promote! Promote! Promote! My mom would say: “Invite even the cat.”

Use your printed material, mailing lists, online media, social media, word of mouth, tell your friends to bring friends… anything that can being people to your show.

  • Decide on food and drinks

Keep it simple to the extent possible unless someone else wants to pay for it. You can also ask for sponsors or wine tastings to be present. The possibilities are endless and it all depends on your budget and preferences.

  • Set up ahead of time

Heads up! There will be a lot of stress on getting ready. Go over your plan and check every detail. Pretend you are a guest and go through all of it. Be flexible to changes that won’t change the overall look and feel of the show. There are things not deserving the stress.

Be ready to enjoy the people celebrating you and your work, make new connections, be ready to answer any questions that could be presented, and have fun. It is your party!

Artists are Communicators

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There is misunderstood belief that artists have to be isolated from society instead of being connected to it. Some artists believe that art should speak on its own and if people don’t connect with their art there should be no need to provide explanations. As artists we speak through art, I agree. People should connect and find meaning in the content of an art piece on their own. However, we can provide insights in our source of inspiration, our creative process, our artistic influences, methods, and techniques. That gives us power to be communicators. Not everyone is educated in the arts. We have the power to be influential and an inspiration to others. If we decide to connect with people and share our knowledge and feelings (funny coming from a man) we can expand the power of communication of our art. Artists gave away this power to agents who turned the art into a market trade product with no substance of life behind it.

1378061_10150322435744956_1463205766_nIn Frames of Mind: Theory of Multiple Intelligences, Howard Gardner mentions interpersonal intelligence as the skill to connect with others. As in any field of practice, you can be successful and have all the skills but by not having interpersonal intelligence you might be closing doors to yourself. It is fine to let art speak by itself. It is a great experience. Nevertheless, it is not a license to be a contemptibly obnoxious person or a self-made social reject. Some artists need an ego-check. There is a very fine line between eccentric and just plain weird. If people can connect with you, they will connect with your art. It is time artists come out of obscurity and mingle with people and be more than a signature at the corner of the paint, to regain an influential social status and use our sensitivity to guide others and inspire future artists, and why not? Future clients as well.

Inspired by Life

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Escape Your Shadows

Escape Your Shadows

Everyone has a story to tell. Some of those stories become inspiration for art. I’ve had conversations that provoke images in my head as the person speaks. These images become unpredicted elements of some of my pieces, specially sculptures. Yes, I’m listening to the conversation (or paying attention as I read on messenger) but images begin appearing. I just see things. You might say I’m a visionary. Psychologists might have a different label for sure.

Visual, philosophical, and emotional metaphors emerge from these conversations and they can turn a figure study into a sculpture that speaks to people. Concepts of overcoming the past, infatuation, victory, defeat, pain, pleasure, hurt, peace, strength, escape, freedom, failure, contentment, bliss… We could go on and on.

Interestingly, these conversations also help liberate the person telling the story. Often is like a burden that was lifted from their shoulders. Then when looking at the sculpture they feel like they can keep telling the story through it. That is a very rewarding experience as an artist.  Life inspires life and once again the human experience is shared among humans with a little help of art.

 Beguiled Published in the book International Contemporary Masters VIBeguiled
Published in the book International Contemporary Masters VI

 

 

The Creation Process

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Photo Sep 08, 9 11 01 AM

Accession Concrete (Cement) 24″ tall

I’m generally inspired first by the pose. The theme, subject, or name of the piece come at the end when the piece is already finished. Most of my pieces get a “name” or “title” when I list it. Like a child you are just waiting last minute for a sign of the perfect name. I start with the pose. The title will come.

The first step is to create a wire armature with the pose to hold the modeling clay. The sculpting begins. I like to apply the modeling clay as if I was covering bone (the wire) with muscles, tendons, and flesh. It is a lot of fun to work on the muscles and the details of the skin, the bones showing a little, the tension and the relaxation of the position. Those little details make a huge impact in a sculpture. I like to add a little craziness around the piece. It is part of my style.

When the sculpture is done, it s not really done. Modeling clay never hardens. The second part of the sculpting process begins: the mold. I use liquid rubber and then keep it together with either plaster or some kind of fiberglass material. I used plaster for this. Once the mold is ready, which is a negative holding all the details of the piece, I discard of the original and reuse the material (I can hear you screaming right now). Casting is next. For this piece I used construction cement. Once dry it is concrete (just technicalities of the terms). I could cast in other materials as well: bonded marble, bonded bronze, etc. It is what is called cold cast. The final process is to prepare for display. it is when color and final texture is applied. And done! In the video on this page you can see glances of this process. You can also watch it in youtube.

When I looked at the final piece I thought about victory. It was like the piece saying: “I made it! I conquered! I reached my goal!” So I gave it a title accordingly: Accession. It can be defined as atteinment or acquisition, as in reaching or achieving a position or rank of power. I believe it fits. Accession is displayed at The Gallery at Elemar, New haven, CT and available. The Gallery at Elemar is the host for the show TORSOS and the reception is Saturday, November 22, 6-9pm. You are invited!