Dear Artist, Yesterday, Donna Egan of Cicero, New York wrote, “I don’t have a degree in art but have been painting since the ’70s. I’ve taken and continue to take many art classes and workshops. I’ve found certain shows very…
Dear Artist, The great art salesman Joseph Duveen used to tell his customers that buying art would give them immortality. Henry Frick, William Randolph Hearst, J.P. Morgan, Andrew Mellon, John D. Rockefeller and others did indeed achieve immortality through the…
Dear Artist, Yesterday, a subscriber who wished to remain anonymous wrote, “I’m represented in galleries across the country. Some do better than others. I’ve never really understood your earlier comment about it not being desirable to be a ‘local’ artist.…
Dear Artist, Jacob Collins is a New York artist and art educator whose avowed goal is to be “an old-fashioned painter.” Working from life — nudes, still life, figures — in his dark and purpose-lit studio, he laboriously draws and…
Dear Artist, A woman wrote recently and told me she was unable to paint because a neighbour was “using some sort of Weed Eater or Leaf Blower.” Pressed for time, I wrote her a quick note quoting Confucius — “An…
Dear Artist, It turned out our fishing guide, Steve Woodley, was a veteran of the animation industry. These days, he helps folks catch salmon. Steve was there when cell animation was breathing its last, when 12 to 24 separate drawings…
Dear Artist, Yesterday, Donna MacDonald of Calgary, Alberta wrote, “Is there a possibility that painting might improve your health? I’ve suffered from chronic migraines for over 30 years and I’ve noticed an amazing phenomenon. On the days that I paint…
Dear Artist, Yesterday, Karen Weihs of Asheville, NC, wrote, “I’ve just toured a wide range of private collectors’ homes in Los Angeles. Couples greeted us with open arms, holding their pets and catalogues with great smiles of anticipation; others had…
Dear Artist, Every day the news gets worse for men. More and more women are taking our jobs — mainly because they’re better at them. Apparently, they have superior management, networking and focusing skills. As everyone knows, the wine industry…
Dear Artist, Yesterday, Linda Lee Nelson of St. Paul, Minnesota, asked some practical questions. Thanks for these, Linda. (Q) Do you budget or monitor your costs and labor? (A) I don’t budget — perhaps I should. I like to be…