Monday, May 19, 2008

86 Million Reasons A Passion Position Works

Let's not stop there. Let's toss on another 33 million as well. Huh? What is she talking about now? Bacon, Freud and The Fine Art of Dating. And Seth Godin's nifty little graph. Move over Emir of Qatar, the Russians are in town. And my jaw is on the floor. Recession? Niet. Passion? Da.

It's all about passion. See this little graph? I copied it from Seth because I liked that he has transferred a basic concept in art to business. You have to go to your zone. Passionate artists do passionate work. Lucian Freud produces 3, maybe 4 works of art per year, but those paintings will blow your socks off. He's 80 and is still putting it out there. Big time. His buddy Francis Bacon. Dead. But before he ditched this mortal coil, yep, passionate player. Along comes the passion between Roman and Dasha. Bacon and Freud are now the top record breaking artists at auction on the planet because of it. Freud knocked Jeff Koons right off that pedestal because nothing says I love you like 120million dollars of Post War superb contemporary art. Dasha wants to "open a dialogue with the Russians" with her own gallery in Moscow. I am assuming she feels very strongly about this.

Who wins? We all do. The ripple effect of this is globally beneficial. I'm thinking the Emir has a museum to fill. Roman wants Dasha's heart. Auctioners, collectors, and artists are reeling from the robust market here. The buzz is palpable. Just watch the next auctions. The competition's on. And in every studio an artist's heart has just been reassured. Full on passion in the studio. Block out the time. Balance all the demands. Yep it's organizing Monday. You can tell by my admin list in the notebook above. And here's a little task, artist or no.

Where's the point of all passions? Where must time be spent? There's no room for lukewarm, or maybe, or if. Find it. Find what makes you hum when you're at your best. I myself make maps before I set out. Set a compass. But the goal is time in the zone. It's not just about the money. It's about the quest. We're on the hunt, most of us for what makes it all worthwhile. Ask the Emir, Freud, or Roman and Dasha just what is it that they're after... No, ask yourself.

10 comments:

Parisbreakfasts said...

Aieeeee
So many words..
So lefty brained
Auction results you say?
But this is about process I thought..
If you'd seen the MOMA show you'd know Freud produces gazillion of prints, drawings, etchings same thing, Gazillion!
I like the doodles
Now they TELL alot.

Janice C. Cartier said...

I know , I know, words. It's the left brain again taking care of business so the right brain can play. Part of the process my friend. There is a lovely large canvas beckoning for the rest of the afternoon. First dear left brain must be given it's due. It's my Monday analog assistant that helps to set me free.

Anonymous said...

Howdy Jan,

And I promise this will be the last you hear from me today, since I heard you say it was time to take on those earthy hues! I'll even thank you in advance: Thanks much.

Forgive my mundane question on your thought-provoking and heart-racing post, but where did you get those forms you're using to organize? Specifically, the May 2008 in the first photo, and the checklist of the 3rd photo.

I'm having a difficult time getting time getting (and keeping) things in control, and your tools look yummy!

Janice C. Cartier said...

Hi Crystal- There are no mundane or stupid questions.
I made those forms. I am actually somewhat known for my notebooks.. we should talk. The May 2008 is a printout though from ical that I have customized with my "zones" in color. The checklist is from my own system. I am thinking about a Bento Box project of these. What do you think?

Anonymous said...

Jan--two thoughts:

1) Wow, she's a full-brained thinker like me. But farrrr better organized.

2) BENTO! Huzzah! :D

We should talk. Or rather, I'm hoping you'll talk while I listen and nod and scribble. It would be great to hear more about how you're managing a blog and art. I'm drowning up here.

Janice C. Cartier said...

Crystal- Laughing here. A "full-brained thinker"
Yes, but the sides have to duke it out repeatedly, hence the "system".

Ahh. Definitely working on the Bento of this then.

I hear you on the drowning part, or as Sonia says the overwhelm. I have to go paint, but we will talk soon. :)

Anonymous said...

Janice,

Darn. That's some fine cash. The interesting thing is, for that breathtaking price to happen, there were at least two doing the tango only seconds earlier. So more than just one was willing to pay *almost* that much.

Nice post. I'm interested in the ripple effect—Are you seeing it affecting business positively? That would make the silly prices worth it, if it's trickling down.

Happy painting!

Regards,

Kelly

Janice C. Cartier said...

Kelly - It is definitely something I am watching. Auction prices are only one strategic pricing mode so it may not carry directly, however the message it sends on the robustness of the market is huge. These top tier players who want the best pieces are likely to bring the private collections of those works to the marketplace. Especially if say you are Peter Brant and you want to buy that paper mill. That can trickle to all kinds of revenue streams. I hope it trickles to ours. :)
Here's a slightly dated, but valid Yale study figure. For every 1 dollar invested in the arts and arts community, the ROI, is at least 8 dollars. I am sure it has gone up.

Anonymous said...

Janice,

The message it sends about robustness: Exactly. There are conflicts all over the place economically right now. Recession or correction? Great time to hunker down or great time to bargain-hunt while others are worrying? I'd go with the latter, as things stand.

A great time to go against the tide of fear. Even if it is a recession, positive messages from folks with balls is what will turn it around, the same as downer messages get it all started.

Ah, I love a fine statistic, and one that ties in to the arts is even better. That's a good one.

Regards,

Kelly

Janice C. Cartier said...

@ Kelly- Yes. You have to take the long view. Brinksmanship. Don't blink stance.
I'll see if I can find the updates on that figure. This is what I was doing literally the Thursday before Katrina hit. Some exciting and positive this works kind of figures and examples on Cultural Economic Initiatives.