Artist Project 2012

     Just got back a few days ago from participating in the artist project in Toronto. Ever since I got back, I have been confined to my bed with a nasty head cold that just won't go away and so since I am down but not out, I figured I would share a few of my experiences and let you know how the show went this past weekend.

Getting ready for this show required a lot of planning. I must of spent countless hours and days trying to figure out how best to display my artwork in the space provided for me at the show. What size painting to bring, what sort of paintings, etc etc. It is not easy trying to figure out the best work to bring to a show such as this because you really do not know what work will appeal to whom.

There are a lot of different and interesting people that show up to these events and this weekend was no different. From hobbyists and Sunday painters looking for advice and maybe a sense of what doing a show such as this entails, to students, tourists and even serious art lovers looking around and enjoying the art. I was quite surprised by some peoples reaction to my work. Others liked my small abstract studies from the Permission to Speak series while still others enjoyed my big sized works on paper and watercolours. I even got a good reaction to my newer work from the Structure series, which is a newer and an ongoing series.

Overall the weekend went well. I don't think that the public was in a great buying mood (minimal sales), but maybe in a more of a 'let's see what sort of art is out there' mood. Having said that, we sometimes tend to gauge our sucesses and failures on how many people buy our work rather than how many actually like or find our work interesting. I think it is quite hard to sell work at these shows that is not instantly visually loved and not in their price range. Choosing to work in abstract as I do, significantly reduces the amount of people interested in these type of work but then that might open me up to other venues and opportunities to show my work. I think these show are for gaining ground in the art world, gaining knowledge and friendships which can only nurture our vision somewhere down the road and maybe lead us to more prosperous opportunities.

Some of my paintings.

It is now time to follow up on all the leads and opportunities that presented themselves in this show, get back in the studio and work even harder at the easel. I can't wait till you see what I have planned for next year!!!!

My friend Helen visiting after her gruelling Real Estate exam.

The place to be. Booth #207

Peaceful Sleep 2010, oil on canvas 48 x 72 in. 

P.S.-  I loved being in Toronto and think its a city that has a great artistic vision....(It's also HUGE!!!) I hope to be back there soon for a show or even to see the many ex-montrealers whom I spent time with this past weekend. Thank you everyone for your support and for stopping by to say hello. I will see you all again soon.

Demetrios Papakostas: une vie en technicolors - Arts et spectacles - Courrier Ahuntsic & Bordeaux-Cartierville

Demetrios Papakostas: une vie en technicolors - Arts et spectacles - Courrier Ahuntsic & Bordeaux-Cartierville

Never a sure thing.

     Last week I spent most of the week getting to the studio early and working for the better part of the day. Although I feel like I have been working hard, I felt like the work was not exactly going where I wanted it to be. I am not sure if I am sort of stuck mentally or maybe just not sure about my direction and where I am going, you know, the typical everyday struggles of an artist. At least mine anyway.

I seem to be wanting to go into another direction and explore those other possibilities. But I question wether that won't that take away from the work I am doing presently. Won't leaving this work to explore other areas effect this work when or if I eventually return to it. Is it because this work might just be done and can not go any further.

It seems important to me to want to go in another direction and explore. I think I need to because my creative juices are running low and I need rejuvenation.
I think it is important to keep searching for that little spark, that little something that might just set you off on a whole new path of exploration. Giving yourself the chance for new creative discovery is essential and important to the over all creative process. It is what keeps us doing what we do.

Going through the motions, in art as in life, surely leads to resentment, which leads to us doing things we don't really want to do. I don't ever want my work to start feeling and looking the same. That is a scary thought. That is why I feel it is important to spend a lot of time searching for something different that either enhances my work or changes it.
Art has to evolve and change and grow as does the artist. It is never a sure thing that a new direction will be successful but it will definetely give us new hope, a fresh approach to our work and fire in our bellies which is sometimes missing.

Toronto Artist Project March 1 - 4th. 2012

  

       I am very happy to again be heading to the artist project toronto  March 1 - 4th. 2012. I will be in booth #207 next to a couple of other great Montreal artists, Janice Taylor and Holly Friesen. We have been friends for awhile, sharing stories and supporting each other's art careers over the last little while. I don't know if it was really that wise to put us all together because we will definitely be having a lot of fun together.

I am getting really excited about the show, being there with all the people buzzing around. I also hope to see some of the friends I made last year at the show. So, hoping to see you there if you happen to be in the area and if you are not, the drive is really not that bad. Enjoy.

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.