Elisa Pritzker World Famous Women Artist.

Elisa Pritzker is an international artist, art curator and consultant. Elisa is also creating excellent contemporary art that quickly finds its way into private and public collections throughout the world. Elisa is one of the best prepared artists that I know and I hope this interview will help other artists benefit from her knowledge. To learn more about Elisa Pritzker please visit her website at www.PritzkerStudio.com

Elisa please tell us about yourself and your art? I was born to be an artist. My art and myself are kind of a one thing. I don't separate them as two entities so they co-exist since my early age in life

How do you feel being a Hispanic artist has helped your career? I feel honored to be called a Hispanic artist even when my last name is not. I was born in Argentina, a country with a long history of cultural development in all of the areas of the arts. At the same time, I value to be called just an "Artist", since the power of creating is universal and belongs to all humanity.

Do you feel that there are more opportunities for women artists today then in the past? Definitely yes. All the women movements have helped tremendously to make our place in society easier and we still have to keep working for it.

How would you describe your art? My art tells things that I can't tell with words. They come from my soul. It expresses different moments of my life and society so whatever is going on in the world and mine, could be a source of inspiration. I usually create series about a particular theme. Through the years, I've worked on different topics that have talked to me, for instance about the Mayas, human and urban matters, money, spirituality, environmental issues. My latest artworks are part of the "Lonely Hearts Club Series".This series expresses my reaction about some effects that the web-social media communication creates to our human society.

When did you begin creating artwork? As I recalled, all my life. At 8 years old and for several years, I attended art courses for children at a local University where I was collaterally exposed to the art created by the grown-ups. This was a big influence that crystallized my interest and passion. At 15 years old, I began my formal art education.

What do you enjoy most about being an artist? Everything. The happiness, excitement, tension, mystery and all the array of sentiments that are involved in the creative process.

Which artists do you admire? From traditional to contemporary, new and old times there are "many" artist that I admire..it's a long list!!! but the artists that I know that never gave up are the ones that genuinely inspire me, like Frida Kahlo, Francisco de Goya, Louise Bourgeois and Vincent Van Gogh.

Do you feel it is better to represent yourself or have a gallery represent you? I think both ways are good and welcomed. It's a learning process what it really means to be in charge of representing yourself or to let other person be in charge. In the two situations, it's good to feel comfortable of any decisions taken.

Why do you create art? I don't have any other choice than create art. It's the way that I live my life so far.

What are your future plans? I always have many plans going on. My next important exhibit is a solo exhibition at the Franklin 54 Gallery in Chelsea, NYC. I'll exhibit "Lonely Hearts Club Series" opening this fall season of the gallery in September.

BLOCH--Peter, 86, died July 31, 2008 in New York City. Beloved friend, noted journalist and historian and fluent in four languages. Born in Frankfort, Germany he left in 1939 as a teenager and joined the underground in Belgium. He later was interned in Switzerland. He came to the U.S. in 1949 and became a citizen in 1955. He was the founder and President of the Association of Puerto Rican-Hispanic Culture. He was the U.S. Representative of the French Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was appointed a Knight of the Order of Isabella Catolica in 1969 by the Head of the Spanish State. Published in the New York Times on 8/3/2008

It was a great Honor to have met such a great man in the Arts. I knew him long before we met through his book Painting and Sculpture of the Puerto Ricans (1978). He was a wonderful and uplifting soul whom one always felt at ease with. I would like to thank Peter Bloch for his dedication to the Societe Academique Fondee En 1915 Paris France Arts-Sciences-Lettres. I thank God for allowing me to have met him if only for too brief a time. I know he had expressed high hopes for me in the Arts and I will continue to work hard to achieve those goals. Peter Bloch inspired me to look for greatness within myself and to more fully appreciate the arts. He will live on in my art and in my heart.

It has been over a year since Peter Bloch passed away and still his presence is as close as ever. He helped so many people in the arts that his legend will live on forever. His friend Arturo Alvarez continues the legacy by helping artists, poets and writers through Poesia Magazine whom Peter Bloch was Cultural Consultant of for many years. Whenever I get together with our friends Peter is always fondly remembered and very much missed. This year I was voted in to a three year term as board member of the Dutchess Arts Council and I hope to be able to give back to the arts as my friend Peter Bloch did. When we are blessed with good fortune we have a responsibility to share and help others succeed as well. Peter Bloch your legend will live on in all the people that you helped.

Journalists and Cuban-American Artist Jose Acosta

Hugo Sandoval Exhibition at the Union City Art Gallery at City Hall

Yesterday February 18, 2010 I attended the exhibition of paintings by my friend Hugo Sandoval at the Union City Art Gallery at City Hall. Hugo Sandoval is an excellent artist who creates colorful paintings that are exciting and fun to look at. Hugo was born in Barranquilla Colombia and graduated from the Center for the Media Arts in NY in 1985. He has been creating, exhibiting and selling his works ever since. I had the honor of exhibiting with Hugo Sandoval last year at the Queens Museum of Art and I find his work beautiful and stimulating to the mind and soul. The Exhibition also had musical performance by Graciela Barreto the Union City Poet Laureate who sang some beautiful songs and recited poetry as well. The food at the event was also fantastic and everyone was able to have a taste of excellent Hispanic treats. The Board of Commissioners Lucio Fernandez, Tilo E. Rivas and Maryury A. Martinetti were in attendance and presented to Hugo Sandoval and Graciela Barreto a citation certificate signed by Mayor Brian P. Stack and the Board of Commissioners. The Exhibition will be up for 3 more weeks. The Union City Art Gallery at City Hall is located at 3715 Palisade Avenue in Union City New Jersey. I would like to give a special thanks to Union City Mayor Brian P. Stack and its Board of Commissioners for their support of the Arts and Artists by creating these wonderful performance and exhibitions for the whole community to enjoy. I would also like to give a special thanks to Union City Art Curator Amado Mora for all his work and dedication in helping create these great events for all to enjoy.

For more info or to see paintings by Hugo Sandoval visit

http://artid.com/members/hugasso

Journalist & Cuban American Artist Jose Acosta

When will our Museums learn to give back to the surrounding communities?

Museums look for support from the communities that surround them but often give little back to the area artists and arts organizations that support them. I do not know if this is typical in all areas of the country or just the few Museums that are close to where I live in New York? Still I do not feel that Museums in general do enough to help enrich the lives of the artists and arts organizations around them. For one example I would take the DIA Museum in Beacon, New York the DIA has a wonderful building with a beautiful art collection in an area of New York that has a flourishing arts community and lots of artists.Still the DIA Museum does nothing to create shows for area artists or other area arts organizations. I feel if they did sponsor and create local art events it would be beneficial to them and to local residents who would visit the Museum to see their friends and neighbors art works displayed or other arts performace. The DIA is not alone in this attitude as you find it in other Museums such as the Museo de Bario, MOMA etc. I would love to hear back from any and all Museum staff if they feel these comments are not fair? Hopefully I am missed informed and can be enlightened by your comments? I think Museums do need to work with the communities so that more people would feel comfortable in visiting these institutions and supporting them through memberships and other donations. I am a member of all of the Museums listed above and I do feel it is important for artists and arts organizations to support Museums and other cultural institutions in the area that they live in, but it would be nice to see the Museums support the community, artists, and arts organizations back as well. I look forward to a future where I will be able to visit these Museums and not only see the best art from around the world, but also see the newest and best art works being created by local artists as well.

Cuban American Artist Jose Acosta

On January 7, 2010 I had the great privilege of attending the opening of the Latino Artists at the University of Connecticut exhibition. I was fortunate to be asked to participate in this exhibition and I am so glad I accepted. The opening party was fantastic with over 200 people attending. The 8 artists that were exhibiting were also in attendance and I am glad I got to talk to them and also take pictures with them. Some are very established in the art world while others are the rising stars of today. Everyone enjoyed the beautiful exhibition and the great foods supplied by our sponsor restaurants DeMaya, Tacos Guadalajara and Quechua Restaurant.

The event also had great Music by Manos del Candombe and a beautiful color catalog with images of all the art and artists in the event. Participating artists were Jose Acosta, Claudio N. Altesor, Ed Bianchi, Rosa E. Col_n, Duvian Montoya, Hern_n Restrepo, Arnaldo Ugarte and Inés Villanueva.

The exhibition was a collaborative effort between University of Connecticut and Vida Social Magazine. The curator of this exhibition was Tatiana Mori a fellow Latina and UCONN alumni. Special thanks to Dr. Michael Ego, Professor of Family Studies at UCONN and Tamara Guevara, Chief Editor of Vida Social magazine. I would also like to thank all guests who attended and showed their support for the arts.

This was the 1st Latino Artists Exhibition that I have participated in this year 2010 and I know that there will be many more to come throughout the year in all parts of the world. So if you are a Latino Artists please find and participate in as many Latino exhibitions as you can. They are an excellent way to network and meet other Latino Artists and the exposure will help you obtain information and future exhibition opportunities.

I think 2010 will be a fantastic year for all Latino artists that are prepared and willing to find creative ways to exhibit and show their art to the public. For Latino Artists I see a lot of future collaborations and fantastic exhibition opportunities as Galleries, Museums and Institutions see how successful Latino Artists Exhibitions are. Best of Luck to all my fellow Latino Artists our future looks bright and colorful.

Cuban American Artist Jose Acosta

Hispanic Art Market will be Hot in 2010

I feel that in 2010 the Hispanic art market will take off. Why do I feel that way? Because all the talk and action taking place right now suggest that to me. In Miami more galleries are representing Hispanic artists. In Union City, New Jersey the Hispanic art events are growing in numbers as well as the galleries that represent Hispanic artists. Most of the Hispanic art events I participated in this past year were very successful for me as well as for other Hispanic artists that participated (Lets not forget the galleries and institutions that were very happy as they made from 30-50% Commission). Museums & Universities are also adding more Hispanic art to their collections. Corporations are buying and displaying Hispanic art as they seek a bigger share of the Hispanic market for their product. Hispanic art fairs and exhibitions are growing in numbers across the United States. Quality art works by Hispanic artists are continuing to sell right through this economic down turn.

But the biggest indicator to me that things are going to change for the better is the cooperation I see between all Hispanic artists from many different countries (This was not always the case in the past). We as Hispanic artists have learned to unite and work together to reach our common goals. We also have learned to respect and appreciate the diversity and opportunities that working with each other brings to us. I have worked on exhibitions this year with artists from Cuba, Columbia, Puerto Rico, Peru, Uruguay, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Brazil, Spain, etc. I enjoyed working with these individuals and I do feel we share a bond in our common Spanish language and values. The Hispanic artists I know value their freedom to create what they wish and express themselves the way they want. Most of the art being created today by Hispanic artists is powerful, strong, vibrant and colorful. The energy and strength that most people see in our work comes from the values that we Hispanic artists hold so dear, like family and friends, entertainment and music, literature and poetry. I am also seeing a lot more Hispanics purchasing art to the point that they are no longer just consumers but can now be called art collectors. In the next few years you will see more retrospectives in Museums for Hispanic artists. Also most art galleries will add Hispanic artists work to their inventory because it makes business sense. The market for Hispanic art will continue to grow and be appreciated more and more every year. To the Hispanic artists my advice is to work hard, create quality work, also network and marketing will be very important. Dream Big and set your goals high, your determination will allow you to reach your goals. To collectors I would say to visit gallery events and art exhibitions so that you can get to know the artists whose work you admire, buy what you love and you will have a lifetime of enjoyment from the art that you collect and some may also find lifelong friendships with the artists that they befriend.

Cuban American Artist - Jose Acosta

Hispanic Art Market

On November 16, 2009 I attended the International Contemporary Latin American Art Forum at the Instituto Cervantes in NYC. The organizer of this event was Javier Iturralde de Bracamonte he seemed very knowledgeable in the area of Contemporary Latin American Art. The facilitator of this event was Christian Viveros-Fauné a New York based writer and curator. Christian also seemed very knowledgeable and asked the right follow up questions of the panelists. The panelists were Frederico Seve the Director of Latincollector New York, Holly Block the Director of the Bronx Museum of Art, and an executive from GlobalHue who had all the numbers and statistics about the Hispanic market & purchasing power. All presentations were very interesting and enlightening. I learned a bit more about the importance that some commercial galleries put on the escalation factors of their artists. I also learned a bit more about some of the Cuban Artists who live and create on my Island of Cuba.

The marketing power and potential of the Hispanic market was of the most interest to me. One of the statistics was the percentage of Hispanics who own original art works is approximately 5-8% (Very Low) that tells me that this market should have growth in the future as Hispanics are able to more easily afford to buy original art. As an artist my collector base is about 20% Hispanic and the rest General Market (All Nationalities) I do not market to any one segment, as I feel that the art I create has to evoke a feeling in its future owner/collector for it to have value. When I create I never consider to what market or to whom it will appeal. I do know that I have to like it and feel that it is a strong representation of me, before I will put it out on exhibition and/or sale.

The presentation created as much if not more questions than answers and that is how it should be. You see none of us have a crystal ball to look into the future. All any of us in the art world can do is keep our spirits high, stay motivated and wish for a better art market in the future. My personal opinion is that all adjustments in the art market as well as in any market is good if it brings the price levels up or down to where they should properly be. I never understood why certain artists derive so much money and market share from their work. But as my art became more popular and my prices started to reflect that I understood why. The cost of exhibitions increased, as well as my promotional budget. I now had to participate in fairs, and other costly events. Donations to art organizations and other charities also increased, as well as the price and quantity of materials that I needed to purchase. As artists get more famous and their business grows all costs go up just as it would with any other business. People do not realize how much the arts and artists give back in economic stimulation to all communities. So I do congratulate all those Super Stars who have had the nerve, dedication and strength to achieve the high level of respect that their art deserves.

I know that the future will hold great things for all the arts and artists that are dedicated and motivated to succeed. I wish all artists much success and hope they continue to enjoy all the fruits of their labor now and in the future.

Cuban American Artist, Jose Acosta

Interview of the world famous artist Antonio Perez Melero.

Born in Spain, Perez Melero began his career in Venezuela where he lived from the late 1950's until the early 1980's when he moved to New York. Maintaining workshops in Caracas and New York, he is an artist who exhibits his work internationally and is in public collections which include the Spanish Museum of Contemporary Art, CANTV, Fundarte, The American Institute of Architects, Intel Corporation, the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC. For more information and to see the wonderful works of Antonio Perez Melero please visit www.perezmelero.com

How long have you been creating art?

As long as I can remember. Since my childhood I have been drawing and making things. Growing up in post-civil war Spain, my early life was difficult. My father was not at home as he was a prisoner of the Franco regime. Toys were not an option. I made my own toys using pieces of wood from the furniture shop next to my house, as well as clay from the dugouts where people took refuge during air raids. With those kinds of materials, I built all sorts of things, and they were my toys.

When I started going to school, my drawings were appreciated by my teachers and I won a few awards. This encouraged me more and more to spend my free time drawing and building.

What advice would you give artists that want to have a career in art?

Have dedication and more dedication, and pray for good luck.

What do you enjoy most about being an artist?

First, just doing my work makes me feel great. It makes me even happier, when I see people enjoying it. When I see them get emotional in response to my art, I feel I have really achieved something.

Why do you create art?

Creating art was, for me, a way of play. I just did it and still do it, not thinking why. After so many years and with so many obstacles, is when the 'why' question deserved to be addressed. I love it; I love it more when other people enjoy it; when my loved ones are happy looking at it. As a child, every time I drew or built anything my mother would proudly show to it to the neighbors. I think that this early admiration gave me strength to keep creating over and over.

Where do you get your inspiration from?
That is a difficult question to answer. Some seed or seeds were put in my brain and ideas keep popping out at a nonstop rate. I wonder sometimes if it has been a gift or a punishment, but it is not my fault. I have to be honest though, I thank whoever put those seeds in me and I hope that those ideas keep coming forever and ever.

Life keeps changing. Ideas flow through us. In many ways, our duty is to give form and produce the innovations that our brain gets from whatever source it comes. This is something positive for the world.

What projects are you working on now?

There are many projects that I have started. Some have been realized while others are only in sketches, models or just in my brain waiting to come out and be built as final projects.

One project I currently have on hand is a walk-through American flag which is a monumental-scale public work I've proposed. I hope to secure funding for this so people can enjoy it.

Other series of my work are being further developed. The Geometric series which is the foundation of my artwork, the Folding Paper (papyrus-flex), American Flags, the Homage to the Impressionists series and more...