Emotional side of art

The longer I work with the artists, the more I am realizing how sensitive artists can be. I've became better to be nice and gentle to the creative soul, but you still never know when you're going to offend... Sometimes I think that my lesson in this life is to learn how to work with that sensitivity in myself and others.

Perhaps I am mistaken, but I think artists are terrible business people and that is what explains much about the struggles of art business. Every human emotion seems to be amplified with creative people. If they are mad, they are really mad to the bone... if they are grateful and happy, they hug you... if they believe you, they listen to what you have to say... if they are jealous, they try to sabotage you... if they are insecure, they need reinforcement.... if they are opinionated, they put their nose places... if they are feeling inferior, they ignore you.

The human intrigue of art is just as interesting and entertaining as anything I end up selling in the gallery. I forgive, I forget, I get over things quickly... Most artists don't...

If I can offer one piece of advice to artists, it is to learn to let go of their emotions... cut them off like the helium balloon and let that balloon float into the universe. Then go back to your studio and create something new. Be persistent. Be reliable. Show up on time. Do as you say. Return messages. The good working ethic sells more art than anything else.

We are meeting a rare and unusual need in humans: a need for beauty, wonder, a need for unusual, different, challenging, provocative, inspiring. We are helping people make a distinction with their art, we are helping them be more important and feel better. And all that is much easier to do if we don't keep our head in the clouds.