Two free interactive opportunities for creatives to learn about the status of their art community and hear what you can do to make it more profitable for yourself.1. FREE- San Diego Artists take this Survey.2. FREE- This Tuesday, August 17th at 5:30 PM (PST) join me, and fine art publishing expert, event creator and champion of the arts, Mark Murphy, as well as sculptor of the fine and popular arts, Alfred Paredes (Alfred is an Artist As Brand graduate) for a conversation on artist empowerment and sustainability. We will talk about what has been learned from the survey and how to live abundantly from your talent. The call is about 45 minutes long. Questions at the end.Call this number: 1 (917) 522-2999Phone participant PIN: 907313#Not FREE, BUT PRICELESS! Turn your talent into gold.Sign up for the San Diego workshop.Peace and ProsperityGreg

Greg Spalenka

In this high tech world it can be easy to forget the importance of human connection. An infant and mother understand this crucial bonding, and as we grow this personal connection to touch and intimacy never really leaves us. In life our relationship to others reflects how successful we are at communicating our passions, desires, ideas. Union is key.

In business and commerce this facet of interconnectivity is called networking. In art networking we endear ourselves to our peers, fans and patrons to help build our art empires. Our supporters become the mortar between the bricks. I am always on the lookout for alignments, new connections and venues where I can meet extraordinary individuals. I contacted Peter Clothier whom I learned about through his lecture at LCAD. Though we initially met online which culminated in an interview of him for my Blog we also recently had a lovely lunch together. It is truly wonderful to meet like minded souls in person! We realized our viewpoints were deeper than expected and are now talking about collaborating on some workshops.

Mark Murphy whom I just interviewed is another alignment with who I am collaborating with. Roxana my wife and I are part of his Survey Select exhibition opening this Thursday, and I am presenting an Artist As Brand workshop in San Diego in conjunction with the show.

Two fantastic networking opportunities are coming to California. The  Illustration Conference is this week in Los Angeles!  Artists are coming from all over the US to this event. I will be there networking and meeting awesome new people. Who else is going?

How about the largest event for popular art culture in America?! The San Diego Comic Con is held next week July 21-25. I will be there at my booth 5553 and moderating an Artist As Brand panel discussion Friday 23, 6:00-7:00 RM 8, with Arnie Fenner, Mark Murphy, Ciruelo, Tara McPherson, Donato. My new  Flowers of Fortune limited edition art card set and scratch off game premiers at Comic Con too, (and at FlowerFortune.com on July 21) where you can win one of my giclee prints, other printed items, and up to $1000.00.

Events like Comic Con increase your fans and patrons. 125,000 people move through the doors of this convention in five days. Imagine if only one in every one thousand people stopped by your booth. Being a part of this event for over 20 years has taught me the value of  growing your support group in venues like this.

Some people will argue that it costs too much to be a part of these gatherings. All promotion has a price. This is an investment in yourself.

Events like these are important to the artist for exposure, new ideas, inspiration, sales, support, and new connections. Like the mother and her new baby, union and bonding with your peers and your buyers will bring you closer together. Technology has it's place, but remember the importance of face to face.

To artist empowerment,

Greg

Brendan Monroe (detail)

I have known Mark now for many years, watching him rise as a graphic designer, publisher of fine art books, event designer, artist, and now film maker. The one thing that has always stood out for me about Mark is his commitment to championing the artist. He is always ready to raise that flag and wave it for someone he believes has a uniqueperception.Mark is putting together a huge exhibition called Survey Select (Private opening July 15) with 55 artists from around the world. It's really more of a multi-media event as the show is only one part of the festivities. I am presenting anArtist As Brand Workshop at the gallery space/museum in San Diego, with Mark, Roxana, and other possible guests. It will be awesome!Mark took a moment during count down to the opening of Survey Select to answer some questions about his inspiration and what he loves!GS : Tell me why you love what you do.Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio puts you in the state of mind to get things done. Grey weather for most of the year encouraged me to discover space that allowed creative freedom. My life long mission has been to collaborate with creative minded clients, archive living artists and create inspired exhibitions for the public. Oh yeah, I love to design for clients, book publishing and film industries.

Matt Furie featured in the next Scribble Film

GS : Tell me a little about your "Scribble" documentary.Scribble.08 was filmed in 2003 capturing the heart and soul of the Southern California art movement. It was more than a film, it was a historic moment that needed to be captured on film, as the Clayton Brothers were inspiring a new generation of artists that included Jeff Soto, Martha Rich and Camille Rose Garcia. Scribble.08 was filmed with DV cams with friends piled into a Jeep fighting through 8 hours of highway traffic over the course of 2 weeks. TenStories backed me with editing support and MANUOK scored a great soundtrack. The public response has been great and the film has been featured at the Kent Film Festival in CT, DocuWest in CO and New Film Director’s in NY. Volume two is in production featuring Souther Salazar, Mark Todd, Esther Pearl Watson, Matt Furie, Shawn Barber, Kelsey Brookes and many others.

GS : You have an awesome art exhibition, "Survey Select" opening July 15th in San Diego with artists from around the planet. What was the inspiration for this show and what makes it different from your other venues?“Survey Select” is an exhibition that celebrates Narrative Art and 55 fine artists from around the world. The exhibition is a modern day salon that introduces the public to visual storytelling, critical writing, live performance, films and a workshops held in the space over 8 weeks from July 15-Sept 5. “Survey Select” looks to inspire new thinking in the world of contemporary art by establishing a select grouping of talented artists free of intellectual labeling.

Beautiful Loosers, Scribble.08 and 7 films featured during double feature film nights

What makes “Survey Select” is uniquely different from past exhibitions, “Heaven and Hell,” “Dialogue,” “SuperHero” and Miami Art Basel exhibitions, because it is a museum installation that features a conceptual space that houses art, educational materials, films and supporting artists who specialize in fragrance, interior, creative writing and musical design. Eight weeks provides everyone the opportunity to travel to San Diego and participate in the exhibition.

Traveling artists featured at workshops and Survey Select receptions

GS : You will be on my panel with Arnie Fenner, Ciruelo, Tara McPherson, Donatoduring this coming Comic Con (Friday, 23, 6:00-7:00PM. Room 8 ) for a discussion about artist empowerment and sustainability. How do you define artistic empowerment?Artistic empowerment starts with invitation and continues with purposeful exchange. For me, sustainability comes from public and private support. The art world is riddled with folks who look to make investment or turn on an investment, and for me it is more about soulful exchange. The honorable exchange is to archive living artists in books, films, exhibitions and critical essays. You never know what you are onto, and history beyond my years will be the final judge. (You can see more in my personal manifesto).

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Scott Daniel Ellison : Shawn Barber : Mark Todd

GS : I am presenting an Artist As Brand workshop at your gallery in August in alignment with your exhibition. How would you define a brand? Do you consider yourself a brand?

Brand is a notion for the complete package that starts at the core of who you are. If it is applied to a product, it is the essence of a product, and if it is a person, it is about where you come from and what you are about. Brand is really a corporate word for “soul.” Yes, I am a lifestyle kind of an artist. It is all encompassing, all moments of each day, the opportunity to exercise the left and the right side of my brain. I think I am much better at the creative side.

Tasha Kusama : Miss Van

GS : What do you feel artists will gain by taking this course?The course will help me take a moment to reflect on the process and progress of my career and offer a concentrated moment to enhance and focus. I look forward to the opportunity to take a moment for myself, which typically, almost never happens. For artists, I believe that the course will help redirect focus and assist in the narrative of their personal pursuits. Very important facts when it comes to explaining what it is that you do to others, especially museums, collectors and galleries.

Mark Todd featured in the next Scribble Documentary

GS : Any last pearls of wisdom?

Pursue your inner creative at all times. Take a moment to enjoy.

Thanks Mark! I will see you soon at your opening ofSurvey Select, at Comic Con and for my Artist As Brand workshop!

To empowerment and prosperity,

Greg