by Bob Freyer
It’s been a while since I’ve sat down and written an Artist Block. I haven’t had much to say and I’ve been spending more time with my kids. With the start of the new year, it got me thinking about my interactions with the people who collect and buy my art. I have a wide variety of people who buy my art. Most of the time I get messages about one of my paintings and it kicks off a conversation.
These conversations lead to questions about my art, about the piece they’re inquiring about. Then, it gets into questions about me. Answering just about every question has led to someone buy the piece and getting more, either in prints or original art. I have found that letting someone know where I’m coming from, or what led me to paint what I painted. Giving little insights to my process and why something was painted has in a way put a little understanding to my art. In no way am I claiming or implying I’m some deep and great artist. In fact it’s the opposite. I paint like a child, and I still laugh when someone farts. I’m far from great and even further away from being deep.
What I think works, and what could be useful to other artists, is to think about how I answer the questions and give backstories and meanings to paintings. This seems to resonate with people. My work is based on my childhood, my life as a dad, dealing with depression, and staying connected with the child in me.
I have been able to keep the same type of imagination that I had as a kid. Keeping it fun and not taking myself too seriously is key. I’ve had many people tell me “that looks like a kid did it” all the time. My response is always, then go and do it.
I genuinely mean that too. For one, I personally don’t care about if someone doesn’t like my art, and second, I mean it. Go and draw and paint like you used when you were a kid. It unlocks something in you, and it’s pretty amazing. When people say this to me, I don’t think they understand that I’m painting in my style. I’m intentionally doing painting like a child, and reliving a time from my childhood. Painting like this is very therapeutic for me too. Like just about every other person I have my own issues and battles I’m fighting, and this my defense against them. I’m not nearly with my kids as much as I used to be, and it’s own weird way I makes me feel like I’m with them. My kids and I always paint and draw together. We have fun, and this is a coping mechanism in a way. I’m also doing something I love and having fun doing it.
So, when I’m told “a child could paint that” I laugh, cause they’re not wrong, and in a way they’re wrong. If they don’t have the imagination, or the thought of going back to when they were a kid, they couldn’t do it. For years I was trying to paint more realistic art, portraits, and such, but that wasn’t me. Even as a kid I wanted to draw things how I saw them and they never came out exact.
I’m doing that now, and it’s fun. I feel I’m pretty humble when it comes to art. I’ll say this, and I apologize if it comes across as arrogant and conceded. I have collectors that have money and I get requests for specific pieces in my style. They ask for their idea to be painted how I do it. But it’s not only the wealthy collectors that ask for this, it’s the people that are like me too. So, if people are actively asking for this style and paying for it, why would i change my style and who I am? Negative opinions will never sway me to change.
Saying all of this is explaining the type of artist that I am, and in a way who I am. This has driven more people to me that actually enjoy my art. I prefer to use my imagination to escape the issues of reality, and somewhere new with every painting.
I keep it simple and paint about what I know. That’s about my life and it includes memories that can be relatable to others. My advice, and take it if you want, is to communicate with those that reach out about your art. Stick to who you are as an artist, and be you. People are more likely to respond to authenticity and honesty. Those who think alike tend to be supportive to other like minded people.
— B
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.
@bobfreyer
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