Art first....what do you think?

The art always comes first.  When you compromise the art everything else is sacrificed.  Personally I make art for me, myself and I and think about others as an afterthought.  If no one buys my work I want to be able to place my piece on the wall and have a sense of pride.  Everyone operates differently so tell me as an artist what comes first for you and why?

M.I.A.

I haven't been on top of my game lately.  At times I feel that my shot just isn't falling so it is time to get on the free throw line and concentrate.  My focus has been on the "100 Campaign", sales and marketing.  This art thing is 80% mental, which is why I have the sports references.  Micheal Jordan's will to win was all mental, not in his ability.  I am on a mission to channel that same energy into the daily activities in creating art.  In basketball some games are determined by one shot, a simple free throw.  We all have a specific style or technique and skill using certain mediums but the real art is in the business of selling and promoting your art.  I recently started a consulting service catered to those artists who are looking for assistance in understanding how you operate as a business entity, for more information go to (http://www.theartplan.org/).  I have taken a step back from the "100 Campaign" to concentrate on other issues surrounding my art.  Thanks for all the support near and far!

99 Problems

Back in Business!  I am back on the grind painting again for the "100 Campaign".  Special shout out goes to fotioszemenides I can't thank you enough for your words of wisdom.  Although the struggle continues so does my hustle and positive attitude towards making sense out of this project.  I feel the campaign is a true reflection of what many people are enduring financially, personally and emotionally.  Last week I was stuck on the road blocks not feeling inspired, instead gradually becoming pessimistic about continuing the campaign.  There I was staring out my depleting paint supply and lent filled pockets thinking it is time to throw in the tile and call it quits.  What happened to the vision, the plan, and the art supplies?  Refusing to abandon my path and staying the course is the only way to go forward at this point.  Initially I had in my mind what materials I would use to paint with and the composition I would produce for each painting.  Due to those same road blocks I am looking to go in a different direction and try new mediums.  If you have recently quit a project take what lessons you learned from your failures and apply them to a new challenge in your life.  This project helps me to stay focused on the bigger picture, affordable art work for those individuals who otherwise wouldn't be able to afford some of my previous paintings, and more importantly a challenge to artists to start their own money making projects. 

Even if I fall short and only produce 99 paintings I will have no regrets.  I might have 99 problems but a painting ain't one.....hit me!  http://www.rosieleeart.com/ and check out the "100 Campain"

Take it to the streets

Today a friend and I setup our paintings on the corner of a busy intersection.  Although people stared and made comments from their cars I never once thought why am I doing this?  We predicted the police would stop our hustle within the first thirty minutes but were pleasantly surprised to see them looking at a distance in admiration.  Everyone who walked up to ask about our art work all had great things to say.  The experience was quite enjoyable especially the idea of taking art to the streets for all to see, public art at its finest if you ask me.  At the end of the day I realized art is simply meant to be shared and why not share what you love with others.  Regardless if I am at a corner near you or in a fancy gallery the passion for making art will remain the same. 

Due to accumulating expenses I have to postpone the "100 Campaign".  I have learned so much from this project and want to personally thank everyone for their support.      

"AT A CORNER NEAR YOU"--Rosie Lee

Fame or Die

I feel destined for fame but what is more important than fame is success.  Sometimes fame can be overrated and overwhelming given the expectations your admirers place upon you as an artist.  Actually if I was a famous artist I often wonder what would happen to the hunger I have to prove others wrong, surpass others expectations and that deep desire to establish ideas from a grassroots level.  Currently I have an edge because I have yet to be discovered by the masses.  I'm sure it is this edge that keeps me up all night fighting sleep to become the artist I expect to be regardless of fame.  If I become a famous artist worldwide or just in my small town what matters most is how successful I am at being a positive influence upon others through art.  To be young, gifted and famous--Rosie Lee

New Chapter in the Book of Life

I am really looking forward to the new changes that are taking place in my life.  One of my favorite quotes is from a college professor whose name I no longer remember but this statement will forever stick to my mind like a permanent post it note, "people don't resist change, people resist being changed".  I find this quote speaks to those individuals who will often complain about how certain things need to change in their life but aren't willing to change themselves in order for the change to come to fruition.  Resistance is futile.  The "100 Campaign" is requiring me to make some necessary changes regarding my work ethic.  Please remember change can be good....change one's perception you change one's reality and at times you are the only one that counts.

Success is often measured in how you overcome adversity--Rosie Lee

$100 Campaign!

Tomorrow is a big day for me...."100 Days/100 Paintings/$100 Each Campaign" officially begins.  This project is a major undertaking but I know the experience will be life changing.  I am embarking on this new journey as a full time artist and setting out on a path to prove the labels placed on artist typically don't apply.  Below is a brief summary of what I will accomplish in the days to follow:
 

Artist Rosie Lee will document the launching of “$100 DAYS:PAINTINGS:EACH” campaign.  The 100 campaign is very simple Rosie Lee will paint a new piece each day for 100 days beginning on September 7, 2011 and all paintings will be priced for $100.  This popular painter, muralist, and blogger’s ultimate goal is to challenge the status quo behind the notion of a starving artist by leaving her full time job the first day of the campaign.  Rosie feels with a simple idea an emerging artist can make money by aiding those who are willing to support a cause with limited access or resources.  The campaign will be documented through photography as well as video and placed upon various social networking sites such as YouTube and Facebook.  Lee plans on blogging to chronicle the lessons learned throughout the process.  Potential customers will be asked to send in their head shots as inspiration giving Lee a vast amount of subject matter to choose from.  Go to http://www.rosieleeart.com/ to take part in this campaign.

Signing out...A STARVING ARTIST EATING PAINT!

Rosie Lee "the new face of art"