ARTIST BLOCK 08: THE SHOW IS OVER

by Bob Freyer

As I’m writing this, I am reflecting on conversations that I’ve recently had with a few close friends. Since 2013, I have been going at top speed with producing work, setting up shows, being in group shows, and trying new avenues as an artist. I’ve worked with different companies on beer can designs, I’ve put out numerous skateboards, some books, numerous t-shirts, countless paintings, released prints left and right, and even have my own collectible artist card. With all of that I also curated and ran a small gallery. So, the question I’ve gotten asked is, “Why are you done with showing and solo shows”?

Let’s go back to 2013. I posted a single picture of a a charcoal drawing it did, and followed up with some paintings I did in my spare time. I never thought any of this would have been a possibility. I participated in a few RAW Artist shows. In those shows I sold a majority of the paintings I had on display, but each time the sales were less and less. That was eye opening to someone new in the “art scene.” Following the RAW Artist shows, I gained a big following through the art that I was doing. At that time I was more of a pop art/stencil artist. I still love stencils to this day. The art wasn’t anything too different than many other pop-style artists. I think what separated myself from others was that I was adding gas masks to the iconic pop art figures. Mind you this was back in 2013/2014 when I was doing that. I liked the twist of darkness on childhood favorites. It made it seem more realistic as an adult. 

Along with painting pop art I was very into doing hip-hop portraits. I’ve painted some of my heroes that I grew up listening to and still do to this day, I’ve painted the Beastie Boys, Rakim, Murs, DMC, KRS One, Paradise Gray, Atmosphere, Eyedea, Mr. Dibbs, Sage Francis, just to name a few. I’ve also gotten to meet these hip-hop legends, and they’ve gotten the art that I produced of them. I would say almost each one was grateful and thankful for the art. Whether they liked it or not, they made me seem like they did. After a while I was feeling like all I was doing was making art that people wanted to see, and I wanted to explore my own work and ideas. I had a conversation with one of my good friends who basically challenged me to paint more original work. While he said that he loved my work, he still wanted to see what I could do. Since then I have been creating my own art from my own ideas. I’m not relying on album covers or artist pics to paint now. 

My very first show that was 100% original was back in March 2018. I did a series of oil paintings. These paintings were all teddy bears stitched together. The show was called “Thoughts Of Yesterday.” Where each painting was a reflection of a memory where I had to hold it together. For my first real solo show this was amazing. People came out, asked questions, and purchased paintings. It even led to commissions later too. It’s been a relatively short time since that show, and things are so different. I don’t know the cause of this or the blame of this either. Some could say that COVID had an impact on people going out, I don’t really believe that. Maybe if this was 2022 or 2023 I would agree to a point. 

I like to think I am a very upfront and very honest person. I also don’t think that I am the greatest artist ever either. Hell, most of the time I think I’m a bad artist. I’ve recently been categorizing my art as ugly art or bad art and outsider art. Not that outsider art is bad, but maybe the art I make is–lol. I don’t like to throw around my accolades, but, I do have them. I’m not a big name in any way, but I have put my time in.

This part is all from my point of view, and experiences. Today is a different time though. People aren’t interested in going out to shows as much. From what I have seen since 2022 people aren’t too interested in art shows. Now, that could easily be my art is the issue. I won’t deny that my art is of a different taste. I get that, and accept that, The shows that I’ve had from 2022 each one had fewer and fewer people attend.

I think it’s been a long time coming for me to slow down on showing. The amount of detail and time I put into them some have said it’s a waste of time, and to just put the artwork up and call it a day. That’s not how I do things, I don’t half ass it, and I won’t. Why am I saying all of this? Well, over the last few years it’s been sticking with me. I need to get out and get over it. So, to answer the question on why I’m not going to have solo shows anymore, or until I’m ready and that won’t be for a long long time. I’ve been putting out so much of my bad art, and if Pittsburgh isn’t my demographic for selling art, that’s ok.

I love this city, and I’m looking forward to going to my friends’ shows, and seeing new artists. I don’t care who you are, if you’ve been showing for years you have my respect. I don’t have to like your art, but I will respect the fuck out of your work ethics. Do I feel undervalued? I think we all do. Take out showing in person, and I still have the internet and social media.

Over the last four years, I have sold paintings and prints mainly from Instagram. I hit more people on one post than being in a gallery. I think this is the new way for artists like me. I’m not traditional, I paint what I like and paint for myself. Those who like and appreciate my art have a way of finding me. It’s less time consuming and I don’t have thoughts of “I hope people come to the show.”

Another reason is that I’m losing my studio, I’m moving, and I won’t have the room to paint like I do now. I’m switching to doing more watercolors and focusing more on doing different work and using different mediums. I’m also going to be focusing on different opportunities. 

This is a big change for me as an artist and as a person. Everything I have been used to for the last 13 years is changing. My personal life is changing and I’m not going to get into that, but my artist life is changing. I have to learn to accept this, and understand that everything changes and we have to adapt to it, and work harder for what we want. Having said that, If you’ve been to one of my shows, liked a post, commented on a post, purchased a painting, a print, a shirt or a book, THANK YOU! I appreciate all of that. Please continue to support local artists, believe in them. You never know who the next “one” will be. Please don’t take this as a “why me” writing, I’m only explaining from my point of view. I’m not done with art, I’m just done showing, Remember, I’m a bad artist.

As Basquiat said “I start a picture and I finish it.” Thank you all for all the support. It means so much. Until the next Artist Block.

Bob Freyer is an award-winning artist from Pittsburgh, PA who paints images from an alternate world. Since 2013, Freyer has been showcasing work in Pittsburgh and has participated in numerous shows throughout the U.S.

Looking to ask more questions about how and where we see artwork? This month’s articles are published with support from The Frick Pittsburgh for Kara Walker: Harper’s Pictorial History of the Civil War (Annotated). As Zach Hunley wrote in Petrichor: “When viewing the work of Kara Walker, you are bearing witness to history and time compounded.” Revisit the past and rethink the present now at the Frick Art Museum.