Brainard Carey

“You don’t have to be responsible for the world that you’re in, you know?”

-Benjamin Labatut, The Maniac

What does it mean to be a good citizen of the world? Are we to exhaust ourselves with the minute detail of every single thing going on in the world around us? Or is there room for us to choose where we direct our energy? I say the latter is absolutely viable. While we certainly can’t sit by and ignore every ill in the world, we also can not possibly expect to solve all the problems we see day in and day out. Give yourself permission to address those things that you can and – as the old saying goes – accept the ones you cannot change.

Anne Brandhøj joined us to talk about her work in wood, on view at Hostler Burrows. Educated as a furniture designer, she became interested in where the wood she used came from. Upon visiting a saw mill, she learned about the process of cutting down wood to planks and decided to learn this as her final process. She emphasizes that you do not know what you have until you open up a tree to see what’s inside. These days, her process includes harvesting the trees she uses for each piece. To learn more, listen to the complete interview.

Hilary Irons chatted with us about her show, A Place of Greater Safety, which ran until November 9 at Morgan Lehman Gallery. The title of the show is from the title of a 1992 novel that seemingly channels the experiences of some of the primary actors in the French Revolution. The idea that there is a place of safety, protection and an untouchable core of silence in the midst of chaos resonated strongly with Irons. To learn more about the exhibition and other aspects of Irons’ career, listen to the complete interview.

 

A few words to keep in your pocket

Breathe.

Outings

Join me for a walk on 8th Street for coffee, books and sightseeing

Interviews are available on iTunes as podcasts, and for Android, please click here. All weekly essay pieces are here in a shareable format. The full archive of interviews is here.

More books to read

Ours is a community of readers. Tell us what books you’re reading now by adding your titles to our reading list here. A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel served as inspiration for the title of Hilary Irons’ show, which we heard about earlier in this newsletter.

Opportunities

Apply now for the 2025 NEW WORK: Los Angeles program! Visual artists in LA County (5+ years residency) can win $1,000, exhibit at Winslow Garage, and feature in ONE WORK. For more information, visit the website. Deadline is December 31.

 

Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis Center for Aesthetics and is currently faculty at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. He has written seven books for artists, including Making it in the Art World. His seventh book, The Problems in the Art World: An Artist’s A-Z Action Guide, is available now. 

Here in the Northeast U.S., the first blanket of snow arrived for many this week. A sign that it is time for the world to quiet until spring. We humans, too, often feel the pull to slow down in the winter months, to retreat to warm spaces and bask in soft light. This kind of restorative self-care can be extremely beneficial, helping us recharge for the next phase of work. And while we rest and retreat, we can continue exploring what opportunities might be waiting for us out there. Here are a few to get you started.

The NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowship offers $8,000 grants to New York State artists in 15 disciplines, supporting their creative. For more information, visit the website. Deadline is December 17.

Apply now for the 2025 NEW WORK: Los Angeles program! Visual artists in LA County (5+ years residency) can win $1,000, exhibit at Winslow Garage, and feature in ONE WORK. For more information, visit the website. Deadline is December 31.

McColl Center’s Artist-in-Residence program supports emerging and mid-career artists with housing, studios, stipends, labs, and community engagement, fostering creative growth and bold exploration in Charlotte. Visit the website for more information. Submission deadline is January 3.

Praxis Center believes that a balanced life leads to a balanced career. The art world can be tough, and self-care is essential. But we also know that it is wholly possible to build the career you’ve always dreamed of and we are here to help. Give Praxis a try today and see how far it can take you.

 

Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis Center for Aesthetics and is currently faculty at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. He has written seven books for artists, including Making it in the Art World. His seventh book, The Problems in the Art World: An Artist’s A-Z Action Guide, is available now. 

Photo credit: Prospect Art

“Perhaps one did not want to be loved so much as to be understood.”

-George Orwell, 1984

What does it mean to be truly understood? Is it something you experience in your life? For most humans, the connection we find between each other is part of what sustains us, and the ability to see and be seen helps us through many of life’s trials. It is equally important to be seen and understood for who you really are, not for being someone you think others will approve of.

Robert Szot joined us to talk about his recent show at Anita Rogers Gallery, The Picturesque Survival Of Other Days. The title speaks to the last few years of Szot’s life, during which he lost his father to COVID shortly after having moved to L.A. from NYC after living on the East Coast for a few decades. To learn more about how this show is tied to Szot’s own life, listen to the complete interview.

Alyina Zaidi chatted with us about her recent show, Lost in the Belly of a Whale, which ran until November 20 at Alexander Berggruen Gallery. The title of the show touches on the long-held fascination people have about whales, creatures that are so large Zaidi can imagine entire societies existing in their bellies without them even noticing. To learn more, listen to the complete interview.

A few words to keep in your pocket

Are you seen?

Outings

Join me at Conwell Coffee Hall

Interviews are available on iTunes as podcasts, and for Android, please click here. All weekly essay pieces are here in a shareable format. The full archive of interviews is here.

More books to read

Ours is a community of readers. Tell us what books you’re reading now by adding your titles to our reading list here. Praxis user Laurie Marshall is reading Hospicing Modernity: Facing Humanity’s Wrongs and the Implications for Social Activism.

Opportunities

The University of Michigan invites artists to apply for the 2025–2026 Roman Witt Residency, focusing on U.S. Semiquincentennial themes of identity, memory, and national history through performance or social practice. To learn more and apply, visit the website. Deadline for applications is December 15.

 

Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis Center for Aesthetics and is currently faculty at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. He has written seven books for artists, including Making it in the Art World. His seventh book, The Problems in the Art World: An Artist’s A-Z Action Guide, is available now. 

With the season of gratitude and reflection upon us, now is a great time to take stock of everything you’ve built and consider where to go from here. Nurturing an art career is not easy, but it is certainly possible if you know where to look for resources. As the year begins to wind down and we all look back on our accomplishments – or even on those things that may not have panned out but have lessons to teach us all the same – what might you do differently? What might you do the same, for that matter? As you begin to plan the coming months and next year, here are a few opportunities to motivate your continued journey.

Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grants provide $500–$3,000 to U.S.-based visual and performing artists for urgent, project-based funding, supporting exhibitions, performances, or unanticipated expenses. To learn more and apply, visit the website. Applications are rolling.

The University of Michigan invites artists to apply for the 2025–2026 Roman Witt Residency, focusing on U.S. Semiquincentennial themes of identity, memory, and national history through performance or social practice. To learn more and apply, visit the website. Deadline for applications is December 15.

The Newberry Collection in Chicago offers multiple opportunities for artist residencies. With deadlines coming up, now is the perfect time to see whether one of these residencies could be right for you. Visit the website for more information.

Praxis Center exists to nurture artists. We know it isn’t easy to build a presence in the art world, but we’re here to help. We gather experts from every corner to keep you informed and up to speed on best practices to make sure you are putting your absolute best foot forward. Give Praxis a try today and see how far it can take you.

 

Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis Center for Aesthetics and is currently faculty at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. He has written seven books for artists, including Making it in the Art World. His seventh book, The Problems in the Art World: An Artist’s A-Z Action Guide, is available now. 

 

Image credit: University of Michigan