I’ve been in the art business for over 23 years.  But what does that mean?  The Art Business?

            It depends on how you look at it.  If you think being in the art business means selling art then I’ve only been in it for, very loosely, 4 years.  But if you see it as making art, living art, seeing the cut throat world of dealers who give you the run around, people who copy your work, or vandalize it, or people who blew off your talents because you were female then I’ve been in it for damn near 30.

            To me, the business of art is the act of art.  It’s not making money.  Though, making money is always what I strive for.  The irony is you don’t need money to make art.  Though a lot of people believe that you do.  They think you need the best papers, the best pencils, the best cameras and not having these things always keeps them from even trying.  The truth is people were making art long before ink was ever invented...ever heard of the caves at Lascaux?  I can remember a time when I ran out of brown chalk and used dirt instead.  It’s brown, isn’t it?

            Part of the fun and skill building in making art is finding ways around your shortcomings.  When I started exploring photography in 1997 I didn’t have a digital camera, (or a film camera for that matter, some bastard stole it!)  But I did have a 1987 video camera and a capture card, oh, and a computer guru named Jim.  My pictures looked like shit, but that didn’t stop me.  I still don’t have everything I need for good photos, but I’ll keep trying because I love it.

            I have always found not having money is a bigger motivation for the imagination.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I love money.  I want money, and at this point I really need money.  But choosing to save money and making something yourself perhaps will result in a more successful, original venture.