Francis Ford Coppola, The Simple Dollar, and Mr. Brainwash

Francis Ford Coppola on lots of stuff, including Artists and Livings.
The Simple Dollar on Artists and Livings

I follow this personal finance blog called The Simple Dollar. It is good for some solid, "just did it and it worked for me" kind of financial advice among other tidbits.  However I was pretty surprised to read the post that is the 2nd link above. I suppose I shouldn't have been, because Trent, who writes The Simple Dollar, is always pretty honest about his situation, and how being a full time writer is his dream fulfilled.

Anywhoo, I read Trent's post, and then followed up by reading the original interview with Francis Ford Coppola, (first link), and it all made really good sense.  For most of modern history, being a maker of things has been much more akin to being a carpenter than being Damien Hirst. (That is a theory/statement/world view to which I fully subscribe and aspire to). Yadda, Yadda, Yadda, internet the great equalizer, content is now free, the age of artists making money from their art is coming to an end. etc. etc.

HOWEVER!, In light of having watched the debacle that is the plot twist (won't ruin it for those of you who haven't seen it, go watch it and come back to these last few sentences) at the end of the documentary Exit Through the Giftshop, I can't say that I agree.  Maybe for those artists whose output is in less tangible form i.e. musicians, novelists, etc., but for artist that actually make Things, the kind of things that sell at openings and Sotheby's Auction House, it seems that the game is still afoot.

Unfortunately? Maybe, Maybe not.

Exit Through the Gift Shop.

Wow. That is about the only clear thought in my head after watching Exit Through the Gift Shop.  If you haven't seen it, and you are at least a little bit interested in the contemporary art world, then you should see it.  I don't really know how to feel about it. It seems as though Thierry Guetta has broken the rules in a world that has no rules, and all of the people on the other side of his rule breaking who themselves have been screaming for years about breaking all of the rules don't quite know how to react.

Watch it on Hulu here.

Kent the Art Model

Kent and his clay doppelganger

Clay Kent at 3 times life size

Kent is an art model that we frequently work with.  He is one of the most interesting people to sculpt, and is one of the most professional art models in Kansas City.  If he looks familiar to you, it is probably because of the article and photo (in his birthday suit) that just ran in the Kansas City Star on Monday the 24th of January.  Read it here. (especially if you are thinking of being an art model! He has tips that will make it easier on everyone.)Publish Post