The Structure of Things Exhibition - Photos June 2011

Barry Allikas with Voula and collector/supporter my brother , Dennis Papakostas

Overall I was really happy with the turnout and the show itself. I managed to meet many new people and even made some good sales! I also wanted to thank all my friends and family for coming to the opening night and for their support.

"ITS ALL GRAVY"

I was having a chat recently with a fellow artist and we got on the conversation about what I really wanted to accomplish as an artist. What my goal in making art was .

Did I want to be in a museum and be recognized as a major contributor to the art world. Did I want to just paint and maybe sell some painting here and there or even was I just happy being in my studio painting? What does "making it" even mean? Does every artist think of success differently or are we all after the same thing.

Primarily the single most important thing for me is being able to make my art. Being able to have a space to create and write is very important to me. I need to be in a space that can calm my mind and let me think.

I get to my studio everyday and think of how I can better myself as an artist and how I can get my creative vision across to people. I take my artwork as seriously as anyone who has a job doing what they love in life. My art is my job.

Being recognized by your peers as an artist is another important aspect for me. It means that my work is validated and seen as important to others as it is to me.

I still have not completely discovered why I make art only that there is an overwhelming need for me to create and more importantly that I have the freedom to create.

Being told countless times that art is not a worthy profession and finally having the courage to do it as a living has some guilt attached to it because to others it seems to be about play and not really work. It is seen mostly as a hobby and not a profession. That and all the rest of the stigmas attached to it such as being dirt poor and starving. Even trying to encourage people to see art for its originality and beauty and something created by human minds and hands is hard enough but worth doing, every time.

Making art though is more overwhelming than the guilt its sometimes associated with it so I have no choice, I have to create, I must create! That is what I was put on this planet to do whether I succeed at it or not reminds to be seen.

So I guess for me success now will probably mean that I simply have the opportunity to do something I love and be recognized as an artist.

All the rest of it is as they say all gravy!

NOTE: I would like to know what you thought of this article so please feel free to leave a comment good or bad and please pass it on to your friends. Thank you for all your support and encouragement.

Inspiration, perspiration.

A friend of mine recently asked me a question most artists get asked quite often. The question was, "What inspires you to paint?" As I am not someone who can easily come up with quick answers, especially to what I think is an important question. I thought about it for awhile and it seems that maybe the answer is not as simple to answer as one might think.

Inspiration can come from anywhere or everything and anything but for me I think the reverse is true. Its more like, I paint to be inspired. I start a painting without really knowing where or what direction I am going just searching for something to give me a spark of creation or inspiration.

I mean, for me there seems to be more of a need to begin a painting, to be actively creating and letting the act of painting lead me somewhere, rather than actually just sitting waiting to be inspired. It is equally important to keep the door open to inspiration. Like a boxer who keeps training for that one big chance to fight and even get a knock-out, I look at everything, think of all possibilities and if it seems mildly interesting, I study it further.

I also get inspired and very encouraged by watching other artists working in their studios and how they spend their time thinking as much as creating and maybe less time waiting to be inspired. Sometimes it can just be about spending good quality time in the studio. Just being there is inspirational to me. I walk into my studio and suddenly a feeling of excitment and sense of belonging comes over me and off I go!!! Search for ideas and inspiration, do not wait for it!

The other day I was watching an artist named Thornton Willis. I've never even heard of him until I happened to see a clip of him on YouTube. Quite an ex ordinary man and a great painter. His words and his process was my inspiration and a quick "shot in the arm" to get me going in my own work.

Every artist whom I've known or seen has inspired me in some way. It seems that for the successful ones its more about working hard, constantly creating or being in the studio. They also seem to validate what I am trying to do and for me, just as important to have. Even the great Picasso used to work long hours in the studio creating and not really worrying about inspiration. Its sort of like he had something important to say with his work and only so many hours in the day in which to say it.

Maybe for most of us, inspiration simply comes from..... perspiration?

I will be having my upcoming solo exhibition The Structure of Things at La Galerie Espace 4844 Boul. St.Laurent June 8 -14th. I will be revealing some new painting and drawing so please come by and help me celebrate this important occasion. The vernissage is Thursday June 9th. Gallery hours are weekdays 1-8:00pm and weekends 12 - 6:00pm

The Structure of Things: Exhibition June 8th-14th

The Structure of Things: "The Structure of Things Art Exhibition June 8 - 14th 2011 An exhibition of new paintings will be showing at La Galerie Espace 4844 Boul. St..."

Life is short, I am tall.

Life is short. Life is definitely short. We keep muttering those words, as we hear the news of someone’s misfortune. Sometimes the news hits a little closer to home and we find ourselves thinking about our own lives. Sometimes we get a sudden sense of urgency to get things done, start anew, and even try something we have always wanted to do. Why must we first suffer a setback before we need to lose those excessive pounds or have to wait for the warning bells to go off, to realize that we are fragile and that indeed, life is short. Why not let it be part of our lives before we reach that point. We sometimes wait so long to actually do the things we have always wanted to, and then rush to make up for all the wasted time. By then though, might it just be too late. Do we still have time to make a difference and to live the life we always wanted? Can it be that when we were young and inexperienced we just did not know any better? How many jobs have we had in our lives before we find something we love to do? I painted and drew quite a bit as a child, filling countless sketchbooks but never thought much about being a visual artist. It was only later on in life that I realized that creating was what I wanted to do. I say realize because it is something that was there all along, I just did not realize it. Knowing that you can paint and draw is one thing, realizing that you are an artist is another. The signs were everywhere and eventually I started seeing my art making and creating as becoming more and more important in my life and eventually discovering, what was there all along. It seems funny though because we somehow eventually end up doing the thing we most love in life. Maybe is it an internal feeling that just never goes away and something we need to act on, eventually? Nevertheless, more often than not, it does takes a shot of courage, some experience, and lots of maturity, to finally try something we have always wanted to and make it an important part of our lives. Maybe we just have to go through all the other stuff in life to realize who we knew we were, all along.

Toronto Artist Project Photos

Here are some photos from the Toronto Artist Project that I wanted to share with you. Doing the show was a great experience and although it was lots of work, it was lots of fun connecting with new people, showing and talking about my work and even seeing some old friends and ex-Montrealers.

Before I left from Toronto, and thanks to my friend Janice Tayler, I was invited to leave some work at a local gallery named Latitude 44 which is located at 2900 Dundas st. west. in downtown Toronto. I left some work for a juried show called "Weatherproof" and 3 of my worked were selected for the show which takes place in April. For further details about the show or if you want to visit the gallery, please check out the website at www.latitudegallery.ca

Stories from the Artist Project

Just got back this past Monday from Toronto. For those who have been following my blog, I was there to participate in the Toronto Artist Project for the first time. The overall experience was a good and positive one. I came away feeling good about myself and also about my art. Selling some artwork was also a big plus and a confidence boost. I also met alot of other great artists and even manage to make a few as friends.

One story that was particular touching was when a woman named Irene came to my booth. She revealed that she was a secretary at a local high school and had been painting for a couple of years. She said she converted one of her extra bathrooms in her house into a studio cause that was really the only place she could use. She also started to tear as she mentioned how much she loved to paint and how important it was to her and that one day she wanted to do it full time. What she said next sort of blew me away cause i thought it was really touching to hear. She said that she painted to give her work away to raise money for the poor....WOW!! That was absolutely fantastic to hear. I mean who does that!? She said she painted for the love of painting and gave it away for that same reason. It was a very touching story and I could only say thanks to Irene for all her kindness and painting for truly something special.

Crunch Time

So PEOPLE!!"The end is near!!" "Head for the hills!" "abandon ship!" "Sink or swim!""Revenge is mine!!"...Ooops,Ok. that last statement doesn't really go with the others, I sort of got carried away.

This is the final week to get everything done for the Toronto Artist Project which is on next week starting Wednesday till Sunday. I am still having second thoughts about which paintings to show/bring along. I guess I will wait till the last minute and then decide. Whatever happens, happens. It is difficult cause this first time means I don't really know what to expect, really no idea. I have invited everyone I know in Toronto, 3 people, yiasou Jimmara who are originally from Montreal. I also feel sort of silly asking people if they would like to come to the show. I was thinking of doing a daily update about the show and send some pics as well. Could be "The project within the project" so to speak. We shall see. I am not comfortable with the self -promoting stuff we sort of have to do. That is one thing I wish I could have somebody take care of and sort of let me think about my art.

How did the earlier artists handle these things? I know Damien Hurst had an accountant who absolutely loved his work and helped to make him famous. Maybe I will get my biggest fan, my mom to hit the road for me. I could just see it now,"Sell those abstracts mom or else!" I am kidding of course.

I also seem to be procastinating a little bit and sort of losing focus. I think its because I am thinking about everything that has to get done and it sort of gets overwhelming. I know I need to focus so, "Focus Demetrios focus!!" Yeah, that's the other thing, I spend a lot of time talking to myself, is that a good thing!?

Knowing myself though I am proud of what I have accomplished till now and believe everything will get done and I will have a great show.

Please feel free to contact me if you or a friend would like to attend the show. I have about ten tickets that have a value of $12.00 at the entrance. It would be my pleasure to let you have some for free.

P.S. I would also appreciate any comments about this blog or my artwork, good or bad.

Don't be shy!!!!

And to all my friends and family, thank you all for your support.

Toronto Artist Project.

So the Toronto Artist Project is fast approaching and I am getting really excited. Here is the flyer for the show. Please don't be shy, come on by!!!

Production or Inspiration

So its getting down to crunch time for the Toronto Artist Project (March 3-6th.) and I am still not sure about what artwork to bring to the show. Do I bring art that is safe and that everyone will probably like and enjoy or do I bring something a little more different. Something one might not see everyday.

The thing is, I paint really what I feel and what inspires me to try on a canvas and some paintings, most painting, don't follow a series or even have any connection to each other. I can paint serenity and simple landscapes and turn around a few months later and paint something more expressive and vibrant.

I guess its because my inspirations can change so quickly and I let them because my attention span is sometimes that of a small infant playing with more than one toy. I don't abandon one style for another, I just really want to immerse myself into everything and not miss out on anything that might give me new vigor, thought and direction.

I read an article the other day about a painter named Bruno Cote (1940 - 2010) who stated that he found that we sometimes focus more on a style rather than on the person behind the work. Words like landscape, traditional, modern, avant-garde, too often are a pretext to exclusion and indifference in the art world.

I think my best bet will be to bring work that I feel really good about and let people see for themselves what they might like, or not. I want people to view my work and not catagorize it but rather enjoy it for what it is, Demetrios' art.

My work is changing rapidly as I am growing as an artist and eventually I will probably only do what I feel really passionate about, as long as I don't become too comfortable and start producing the same work over and over again. That is probably the one thing that kills an artist the quickest and eventually sucks the life and passion out of making your art.

Art should not be production just inspiration.

Taking time.

Last night I attended a vernissage for The Marcelle Ferron exhibition being held at Galerie Simon Blais. I had seen some of Ferron's work on the Internet but was curious to see what else she painted. I was quite pleasantly surprised to see these beautiful small abstract works on paper done during the 70's. She was a strong minded woman with plenty to say and one of the many Quebec artists who did stained glass and mural installations in the various metro stations around Montreal. Some of the public artwork there is absolutely amazing.

Now that is something I would love to do. Maybe I can create a work of art and have it installed permanently somewhere in Montreal. I guess as an artist we live for that kind of stuff. Its not that I want to be well known or anything, its just sort of a way to show people how proud you are of being an artist and giving back to the people something pleasant to look at as they hurry off to their busy day. You might even get someone that actually stops and looks at the art. Even better!!

I think if more people spent a little more time looking at artwork, we would all be happier, saner and maybe more pleasant for it. Artwork has so much to give to us and it has a way of making us see beyond what is there. For me when I look at art, I wonder about the artist and what they were thinking and maybe going through as they created the work. Did they set out to create controversial or even different sort of work or did it just happen to be seen that way, unexpectedly perhaps? What mood were they in, maybe in a spontaneous mood, happy, miserable, maybe hungry, maybe even depressed when they created the work.

Sometimes art looks, well, not very "art like". Some art has a way of getting us angry,"Do you call that art, my baby brother can do better than that!!" Maybe we are not used to seeing something so unique and different. Maybe it was meant to get us to react. Sure it comes down to the individual and their taste buds but its kind of like when we actually take the time to smell the roses, we should also take the time to really look at art whether its installed in the underground metro, in a park or in a gallery, you might be surprised at what you'll actually see.

Emerging Artist.

I decided this year that I was going to try and participate in more exhibitions and shows, so I applied for and was accepted to a show in March 2011 in Toronto called The Artist Project. www.theartistprojecttoronto.com It is an artist exhibition/art fair and the artists are chosen by a jury selection which was important to me because it means my work is good enough to show with other emerging artists. It is the first time I will be doing a show in Toronto and I can't wait to meet new people and make new connections with other artists. It will be lots of work but I am ready to put in the time and see the results.

I am also going to be putting on my own show in June 2011 in Montreal. It will be a busy time for me the next 6 months but I am a little scared but more excited for both shows because it means my work will be out of the studio and in front of a large audience of people to see.

Its also not that I wasn't exhibiting before this, I was, but more in line of having group exhibitions, short open studio weekends, exhibitions and events mostly at my studio which were also very important because it gave me a sense of how to put on a show and exhibit my work. I guess there is also the reason being mostly that as an emerging artist I didn't feel ready. By that I mean, if you take your art seriously enough as I do, I believe that it takes awhile until the work you create can have its own voice, vision and a confidence in yourself that makes your art your own.

There are some people out there that are convinced that they are artists after taking lessons at a local art school and start exhibiting right away. They think that by simply putting down some splashes on canvas that they are indeed, artists. They are even convinced that they are the next best thing since Jackson Pollack, making art seem sometimes trivial and easy, almost effortless like picking flowers from your garden and done almost without much thought. Masters in their own mind.

I am not convinced. There is much more to being an artist than splashes on a canvas. Art was not created in a day! It even took God seven days to create the world and he was so tired that he had to rest after day six.

Creating is work work work!! Take your art seriuosly and give yourself the time, have the patients, explore ideas and grow to the point that you are ready to emerge from within your studio, ready to show your work, talk about it and feel great about creating something with meaning.

Life getting in the way

Well my friends another year has just begun. It is indeed time for new reflection and setting goals for the new year. What do you want to do this year, what are your plans. Did last year bring new challenges and accomplishments or did life get in the way....again??

Now what do you suppose that means? How does life "get in the way" of life. A friend of mine whom I haven't seen in a long time said he was glad to see I was doing something -painting- I loved and that I didn't let life get in the way.........Life ALWAYS gets in the way!

Right after Christmas day, I was planning to spend some quality time at the studio, planning what to do for this year and putting some finishing touches on some artwork I was working on.

I got a call from my mom saying my dad was taken to the hospital cause he fell out of bed a couple of times and she thought something was wrong. We spent 16 hours in the emergency and then admitted for 5 days in the hospital. They didn't find anything really wrong, only that he maybe had a virus of some sort, thank God.

I did eventually get to the studio this past week and although I didn't last week, I did feel like it was okay and that nothing really changed. Although life got in the way, I managed to get back to it quickly and didn't let myself get too down about my dad. The time away from the studio was actually good cause it made me more eager to get back to work.

There will always be something that will get in the way. Some family emergency, some unforeseen event, even our own self defeatist attitudes. We just have to keep moving forward, give yourself the time to deal with the situation, then continue on with your internal plan. There is nothing more important than staying focused and doing what you love in life. As hard as that might might be sometimes, it is as important to you as it is to those you love. I wish you all a very Happy New Year. May it bring you good health and lots of happiness.