Art Articles & Reviews

We all start out as regional artists, building relationships, showing locally, yet some aspire to greater things. Spreading their own gospel to the Nation and the World takes confidence, great artwork, a goal and a team of players that believe in your doctrine. Is it the universality of the work that is the bench mark, the smell of success or the association with other artists and art handlers outside your area? Is it onerous on the gallery directors and curators driven by their own careers that attach themselves to these artists? Whatever the concoction that gets the job done, there is a hierarchy and queue only a few artists attain within this exclusive art community.

Regional artists tend to paint and create art from what they know. This is an honest approach to art making. They are the base for most of the art in local and regional collections and discriminating consumers and local businesses can usually afford to accessorize their homes and office space with this art. Businesses supporting local artists generally look good to their clients and community if this art is seen publicly in their offices.

Now, when it comes to art galleries – Commercially, local artists tend to fill most of the slots, which is generally what people come to see and take home a piece of that region. These galleries also try to represent artists from other parts of the country to help them reach deeper into those communities outside their own. The internet and websites have blurred the reality of an actual bricks and mortar art gallery, as the galleries electronic wall space has jumped exponentially, allowing a larger reach.

The regional artist is typically the backbone of the community they represent with their art. These artists draw from their area, heritage and traditions to express themselves and the region. Public art galleries who pay attention to opportunities to include these local artists in their permanent collections have the vision to build depth in their art vault. These are the future catalysts for stimulating returning visitors that are looking for an engaging regional art experience.

Picasso in one of his studios