Brainard Carey

“Be of good cheer. Do not think of today’s failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.” -Helen Keller

Begin again. Stand up, brush off and move forward. Even when you feel you can’t, know somewhere deep inside that you absolutely can. You will. Today perhaps you fell short of the goals you set out for yourself. Begin again tomorrow. And tomorrow. Again. The end does not come until it comes, until then, you have new opportunities around every turn. There is new light after every dark night.

Jimmy Raskin recently closed a show at Miguel Abreu Gallery titled STATIONS OF THE LAST ECCENTRIC. Although this was not necessarily the original title, through discussions with Miguel Abreu, coupled with the fact that Raskin dubbed each work The Chosen One, the concept of stations of the cross began to surface, which led to a nod to the divine in the title. Each work features a repeating image of a cone, which Raskin says speaks to metacognition, consciousness and, unlike the progression of the stations of the cross, each is already in a resolved state. To hear more about this exhibition, which ran from December 4 through February 5, listen to the complete interview.

Esther Kläs spoke to us about her work in the context of a recent exhibition, which ran from January 29 to March 12 at Peter Blum. In the beginning of her preparation for this show, titled Come Again, she contemplated scale – body sizes, the space they occupy – and considered what might happen if she changed the scale of things. In order to engage with the work, viewers must shift their perspectives, whether this means viewing from above or squatting down, and other ways of non-conventional approach. Primarily a sculptor, Kläs also created works on paper for Come Again. To hear more about this exhibition, listen to the complete interview.

A Few Words to Keep in your Pocket:

You can.

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

Books to Read

What are you reading? Add your titles to our reading list here. Praxis user Nancy Doniger recently read All That She Carried: The Journey of Ashley’s Sack, a Black Family Keepsake by Tiya Miles. Praxis editor Julia Tolstrup recommends When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chödrön for anyone who could use some words of support just now.

Deadlines:

Artists are invited to apply for residency with the Institute for Art in Public Space Styria. The theme of this open call is OPEN FIELDS – Art and Agriculture for which selected artists will stay with a farmer for a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of four, creating work based on their experiences. For full details and to apply, visit the website. Application deadline is April 1.

Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis for Aesthetics. He has written six books for artists; Making it in the Art World, New Markets for Artists, The Art World Demystified, Fund Your Dreams Like a Creative Genius, Sell Online Like a Creative Genius, and Succeed with Social Media Like a Creative Genius. His book, Making it in the Art World, is available now with bonus content here.

Productivity is the name of the game for artists. Whether that means studio time, promoting one’s art on various social channels or with gallerists or finding opportunities to enrich practice and skills, as an independent entrepreneur – yes you are an entrepreneur – it is up to you to promote your talent and your work. This, of course, can feel like a daunting prospect. It is genuinely intimidating to approach the art world if you’re not well-versed just yet (yet), but it is also difficult for most people to promote themselves. You are not alone if you think this might be the most difficult part of your career. Here are a few opportunities to set you on the right path.

CRP Journal invites photographers and artists to submit work that touches on the Mining Basin of the Nord-Pas de Calais. This is intended to reflect the tenth anniversary of its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. For more information and to submit your work, visit the website. Deadline for submissions is April 1.

Artists are invited to apply for residency with the Institute for Art in Public Space Styria. The theme of this open call is OPEN FIELDS – Art and Agriculture for which selected artists will stay with a farmer for a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of four, creating work based on their experiences. For full details and to apply, visit the website. Application deadline is April 1.

Super Toon Festival seeks comics and animated films completed after January 1, 2020 for inclusion in its upcoming event. Visit the website for more information. Deadline for submissions is April 1.

Praxis Center is committed to nurturing artistic careers. We understand the complexities – and the fear – that come along with choosing to turn your passion into your life’s work. That’s why we offer a comprehensive program designed to help you launch a successful venture in the art world. You may be an independent artist, but you are certainly not alone. Give Praxis a try today and see how far we can take you.

Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis for Aesthetics. He has written six books for artists; Making it in the Art World, New Markets for Artists, The Art World Demystified, Fund Your Dreams Like a Creative Genius, Sell Online Like a Creative Genius, and Succeed with Social Media Like a Creative.

Photo credit: Museum Joanneum