Demetrios Papakostas: Supporting your fellow artist

Demetrios Papakostas: Supporting your fellow artist

Supporting your fellow artist

Last Thursday, I was invited to attend a screening for a film, a new friend and fellow artist was showing. It was only 25 minutes long and was about strangers that see each other on a bus everyday, but never meet. It was entertaining and quite funny. 

A couple of day before the viewing, I was really debating if I should go see this film or not because I didn't really know this person very well and thought, it wouldn't really make a difference if I was there or not. I finally decided to go cause I felt that even though I didn't know this person very well, it was important to show up and show support for them and their art. 

It's something I think that's important to do even if say, you don't know that artist very well or even if their form of expression isn't your cup of tea. Even if its to show up and just say hi, it's important. We sometimes don't get enough support or encouragement from others so its good to at least get it from your fellow artist. I also think it works both ways also. You give support and you get support. So get out there and support your fellow artist!!!!

Good Ideas

Get close to your artwork and let it talk to you

Nothing feels better than starting some new works. You lay out your canvas, get your paints ready and away you go!! Its so invigorating to get your creative juices flowing and slapping some paint onto the canvas. Where do you get your ideas? Personally, I look for inspiration, some kind of sign to get me started. I look everywhere but mostly though, my ideas come from writing down every thought, idea and inspiration. Even things I think about and even day dream about.

Sometimes you start several works and they just don't lead anywhere or they don't turn out as you thought they would, because of color, maybe composition or any number of reasons. Don't be discouraged, they are just as important as anything you do. Every single stroke is important. It's your experiment and your discovery to maybe use next time. I don't disregard anything, for all ideas are good ideas.

Demetrios Papakostas: Old Soul

Demetrios Papakostas: Old Soul

Old Soul

Rothko, Jackson Pollack, Joan Mitchell, ........My giants of art, to name a few. What can you say about these artists only that they were the innovators, the mad scientists of their time, as far as art goes. They showed us how to view art through a different light. They experimented and taught us that art was more than just about painting pretty pictures. Painting a tree for instance, is painting a tree. It already existed, and was already present. Painting abstract was for them I think, about searching for new meaning in their art. It was about pushing subconcious feelings onto the canvas through expression, emotion and desire.

I often think of them as I paint, and try to imagine what it must of been like to be a painter in those days and paint as they did. I sometimes think of myself as an old soul, being beside them, painting talking about art and just hanging out. They give me the inspiration to try new ideas and experiment often, as they once did. They did pay a heavy price as some of their lives ended too soon and often, tragically. But they inspire me as an artist everyday, to search and keep growing emotionally and spiritually.

"Filling Space" Exhibition at Galerie de Ville

Some photos from a group exhibition held at Galerie de Ville in Dollard des Ormeaux on Sept. 9th. and continuing till mid October. The exhibition is called "Filling Spaces". I submitted this self-portrait that was done in 2007, on paper and mixed media. 

Demetrios Papakostas: June 11 Art Exhibition Photos

Demetrios Papakostas: June 11 Art Exhibition Photos

Demetrios Papakostas: Nothing but the real thing

Demetrios Papakostas: Nothing but the real thing

Nothing but the real thing

I was out shopping with my wife and kids earlier today and I happened to wonder into a furniture accessories store. You know, the kind that sell all sorts of different bowls and chairs and accent furniture for you home. They also had some big format paintings that were hung on the walls. The paintings were abstract. Something someone would use to finish off a room, or even start with one as a focal point (something we've all learned about, on those design shows). As I approached one of the paintings to get a better look, to my absolute horror, the "thing" was a printed vinyl reproduction (giclee), with splashes of more paint thrown on top, to make it look more authentic. Wow, the price was listed at 1169.00$!!! That's 1169.00$ for a totally fake painting!!! Money in the toilet, no matter how rich you are! I would personally be extremely embarrassed to have something like that hang on my wall and even worse to have actually paid for it.
As an artist I find it hard to believe that someone wouldn't take some time to seek out and find real art from a real artist, no matter what that artist might create. Not only are you supporting and encouraging us as artists, but you have something authentic, beautiful and original that was created using our thoughts, creativity and our own two hands. It's true that when you buy a piece of art, you take a little of the artist with you. You do, trust me on that! And more often than not, most art is affordable. I'd rather start a collection with a small inexpensive piece of art and watch the artist grow, than buy something that will never increase in value because it's worthless to begin with.
What then, is more real than having that on your walls or in your homes, rather than something cheaply made on a vinyl canvas meant to only represent the real thing. Your homes are an extention of your personalities, your desires and with what you put in it, you say to the world, "look at my lovely home!!" You spend so much time, effort and money buying furniture and accecories for your home, why not also spent a little time finding unique art or an artist to truly make your home a one of a kind.

June 11 Art Exhibition Photos

June 11th art exhibition photos

My first TV Appearance

This morning I was on a local Montreal TV program doing an interview about myself and my artwork.
My interviewer Toula Drimonis, was very good and really helped me along as I found myself kind of getting stuck every once in a while. I didn't get as nervous as I thought I would, as well as start sweating like I do in stressful situations!......YEAH!!!! The interview wasn't very long but it was full of "fasinating stuff" as we talked about how I got started in painting, what I painted and they also showed some of my artwork on camera. Very cool!!
The experience was a good one and I must say doing tv can not be an easy task.
Thank you Toula and CJNT Montreal for the opportunity and experience.

When is a painting finished......

Lately, I've been working on a series of paintings that never seem to be finished. These painting were inspired by the works of Joan Mitchell who is one of my favorite artists. I like her pieces because they seemed to of been created almost effortless, like they were done without even a second thought.
Painting abstract expressionism is something new for me and I find it very challenging and inspirational to paint this way but one thing that's been on my mind is, knowing when to stop???
When do you know your painting is finished. Some artists can work on pieces for years and I don`t think they even know when they`re done.
Surely I say you must know your done when you`ve acheived the effect you were going for but what about when you don`t..??
The pieces I`m working on seem to have so much paint on the surface. I've been painting and re-painting constantly and they've reached a point that now I`m scared the stretcher will collapse. I`m so nervous cause I`ve changed them so much, I`m starting to panic!!! I even forgot what I wanted to acheive.
This morning as I was looking at them, I had a thought. What if you just keep painting them....... until either the canvas falls apart, or you die!
I`m kidding!!!!!
I think that a painting can certainly go on for a very long time and it`s really about the trials and tribulations of the artist. All the things that go through your head at the time, even your mood. I think the finished piece is finished only when you know you`ve put all your heart and soul into it and not one moment sooner.
Keep painting........ forever????

Monday Monday

What is it about monday morning that almost everyone hates?
I,personally don't find it that bad, especially after I've had my first sip of #@$*#@ coffee......ok, my first pot!!
Mondays can be kind of exciting. It's the beginning of another week. New things to think of, new ideas floating around and things to try at the studio. The beginning of another great workout week at the gym. The ever present "diet" renewed once again?? Sometimes, I find it hard to sleep on Sunday nights cause I'm thinking about all the things I want and have to do. I do have to admit though that Monday morning can be bad too. Can't get your tie on straight. No toothpaste left. Forgot your wallet at home......It's just that I don't want to give this day such a bad rap too often.
Every day of the week means something different. We talked about Mondays, what about Tuesdays...Personnally, to me Tuesdays are not too good cause you still have 3 days till the weekend.....Saturdays are killer!! All the people running errands, shopping, pushing, shoving, parking spaces, ahhhhhhhhhh.............
So Mondays don't seem that bad after all, do they.
So get the coffee, and have a great week??!!!!!!

4 Day Workshop

Last week I did a 4 day workshop on large format abstract paintings at the Visual Arts center in Montreal. 

We started our day doing yoga, some deep breathing and followed with some stretching exercises. Pretty interesting. It really, I think, helped us become more calm and focused and really helped bring out some interesting thoughts and feelings in our work. 

Nothing like starting off your day doing some yoga and then focusing on making art the rest of the day. What a great life that would be if we could make it part of our routine. 

The class was great, very different from I usually do at the studio which is, arrive-start painting-stop-go home!! We really have to take the time to unwind before we get to the canvas and start creating.

The workshop was a great way to start the year and get those creative cobwebs unstuck and flowing.

First one.....

Hello everyone,

This is my first official blog!!! Yipeeeee!!!! 

 I don't have much to write, right now cause I need to gather my thoughts first. 

The only thing I can say for certain is that I love being an artist! I love creating, discovering and all the challenges that come with art making.

Ok. enough for now, we'll talk soooon......