Advice for networking for introverts in the Art world

[Raj Singh Tattal]

Hi,

Firstly want to say this is my first post, so hopefully this topic has not been done to death. As the title says, I have been trying to break into the artworld for the last few years. Naively i thought I could just produce the work and thats it . But i have come to learn the hard way that networking is just as important.

I am now 47 and live in London. After not drawing for 12 years and doing the 9-5 grind i decided to become a full time artist after I left my last job 11 years ago. I currently make a bare minimum living doing commision portraits and pets art for clients.

But my main passion is my Artwork, which you can see on my website here https://www.rajsinghtattal.com/

So i would appreciate any advice, as although I can be an extrovert at times, I am mainly an introvert. And the scariest thing for me is socialising especially small talk, which i used to ease by drinking alcohol. But i stopped drinking 10 years ago and do not plan on starting again.

I should point out that my issues with socialising might be down to having 'Aspergers Syndrome' a form of autism. Which i was diagnosed very late in life at 37 10 years ago. And although I can be confident when talking about subjects that interest me like politics, world events etc i always seem to put my foot in my mouth when it comes to small talk.

I am planning on going to exhibition openings soon. But I have almost zero contacts in the artworld and not many friends (which i prefer) so will have to go alone. I am not scared of many things and I have been told I can be quite a formidable person but the thought of this is terrifying and is already causing me stress.

Any advice would be great, and below are a few my artworks which are in Graphite and Charcoal at A0, but i have also started colour to recently on a smaller A2 size.

Thanks Raj

 

[GrantCee]

Welcome!

I don't have much to say on the topic, as I too suffer from a bit of introversion and also have trouble talking to strangers about my art (or anything else!) Looking forward to what some others may have to say on the topic.

In the meantime, I like your work. I looked around the work on your site as well; very evocative and quite well done. Even though you say color is new to you, I really like how you handle it. Hoping to see more of your work!

 

[Artyczar]

Hi Raj,

Welcome to the forums. Your work is absolutely fantastic! I'd love to give you a lot of advice about this subject. I have a lot to share as a matter of fact, but today I have to work as I'm on a deadline and am way behind. I will try to tend to the forum as much as I can in the coming days. I'm wanting to take a bit of a break from it for now, which has been difficult. The timing is bad.

But I want you to know that your work deserves to be seen and I think you can definitely break into the art scene with it. I'm near Los Angeles, not the UK, but I can still give some basic advice for you. I too am an introvert, and I was able to do it somehow, and if I can do it, anyone can. My work isn't nearly as sophisticated as yours, so I know you can do it!

I'll try to come back tomorrow, or in the next couple days and write something better.

But welcome again!

 

[Terri]

Welcome, Raj! Your work is extremely well done, as well as provocative - people will definitely want to talk about it with you, which does leave you in an uncomfortable position. You seem like an artist who would greatly benefit from having professional representation, where people could direct their questions and leave you more or less out of it.

Arty will very likely have good advice for you! I'm impressed with your work and perseverance. Hang in there while you figure things out. I hope you post more here!

 

[OliveOyl]

Hi Raj,

I just woke up and spent time - first thing! - looking through your website. Every piece is exquisite. I’m also impressed by the skillful attention to detail, your story, and especially, your willingness to tackle difficult social and political subjects. That’s not easy. I have to assume your work will find it’s proper audience someday but unfortunately, all I can offer is my dumb opinion. I have no helpful advice on how to promote yourself because I hardly bother.

But I also agree that Arty IS probably the best person around here to offer you the kind of advice you seek.

So hang on…hang around, and welcome.

 

[Raj Singh Tattal]

Hi Raj,

Welcome to the forums. Your work is absolutely fantastic! I'd love to give you a lot of advice about this subject. I have a lot to share as a matter of fact, but today I have to work as I'm on a deadline and am way behind. I will try to tend to the forum as much as I can in the coming days. I'm wanting to take a bit of a break from it for now, which has been difficult. The timing is bad.

But I want you to know that your work deserves to be seen and I think you can definitely break into the art scene with it. I'm near Los Angeles, not the UK, but I can still give some basic advice for you. I too am an introvert, and I was able to do it somehow, and if I can do it, anyone can. My work isn't nearly as sophisticated as yours, so I know you can do it!

I'll try to come back tomorrow, or in the next couple days and write something better.

But welcome again!

Hi,

Firstly thanks for the reply and kind comments about my artwork. As i have not exhibited due to coronavirus for 2 plus years I am not sure how my artwork will be recieves by fellow artists. I get complimented by non artists , but they seem to be impressed by anything

I have been los angeles twice once in 2016 and the other in 2017. I was flown out for free by an organisation called 'SIKH LENS' as they liked my artwork as i also do allot of 'SIKH RELIGOUS'. And i will most likely go back as i have a close relationship with them.

As they also made a film of my journey with students from Chapman university in 2017 here

This was actually where i got the idea for the GUN drawing. As i am from the UK, so seeing guns was a bit of a shock. Especially when i went to the WALMART and they had bullets being sold next to the kids aisle pic attached). It shocked me how guns and bullets were being sold like any other product there.

Any advice would be great as i have got myself into a bit of a mess. Spending years drawing (only 20% is on my website) and not making any contacts in the artworld has left me isolated.

Raj

 

[Raj Singh Tattal]

Welcome!

I don't have much to say on the topic, as I too suffer from a bit of introversion and also have trouble talking to strangers about my art (or anything else!) Looking forward to what some others may have to say on the topic.

In the meantime, I like your work. I looked around the work on your site as well; very evocative and quite well done. Even though you say color is new to you, I really like how you handle it. Hoping to see more of your work!

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, i really appeciate it. Any advice is welcome and your feedback on my artwork is also great to. Spending 2 years drawing without exhibiting due to coronavirus has left me doubting myself.

I did 3 smaller pieces of FANART , to practice in colour but that piece was the first larger Piece tackiling a issue i wanted to highlight.

Raj

 

[Raj Singh Tattal]

Hi Raj,

I just woke up and spent time - first thing! - looking through your website. Every piece is exquisite. I’m also impressed by the skillful attention to detail, your story, and especially, your willingness to tackle difficult social and political subjects. That’s not easy. I have to assume your work will find it’s proper audience someday but unfortunately, all I can offer is my dumb opinion. I have no helpful advice on how to promote yourself because I hardly bother.

But I also agree that Arty IS probably the best person around here to offer you the kind of advice you seek.

So hang on…hang around, and welcome.

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, i really appeciate it, any feedback or advice is welcome. The website is new as my old website was cluttered and had lots of FANART and celebrity portraits etc which i did to practice.

I agree, my artwork recent artworks will probably raise questions. And that will put me in the position i do not want to be in 'talking'. But I can be quite talkative but about he artwork so that won't be an issue. Its the small talk and building personal connections thats the problem.

I have been told i can be rude, as i do not ask 'how people are' or will say something inappropriate. I have lost count of the times friends and family have said 'why did you say that your so rude'

i have been advised to tell people i am on the autiistic spectrum as that might be why i am the way i am. But i do not want to as i do not want to be seen as that 'autistic artist' and treated with kid gloves.

Which is what i have experienced in the past which annoys me. As i am pretty tough mentally , i have a degree, i worked a 'normal job' and been told i am quite scary when people disrespect me

Raj

 

[Raj Singh Tattal]

Hi Raj,

I just woke up and spent time - first thing! - looking through your website. Every piece is exquisite. I’m also impressed by the skillful attention to detail, your story, and especially, your willingness to tackle difficult social and political subjects. That’s not easy. I have to assume your work will find it’s proper audience someday but unfortunately, all I can offer is my dumb opinion. I have no helpful advice on how to promote yourself because I hardly bother.

But I also agree that Arty IS probably the best person around here to offer you the kind of advice you seek.

So hang on…hang around, and welcome.

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, i really appeciate it, any feedback or advice is welcome. And i see 'Arty' is the person with the knowledge to give some good advice.

The artwork on my website is only about 20% of what i have drawn. Unfortunately most of the other stuff is not really that good.

Raj

 

[16ga]

I can't really give you much advice and am more looking forward to seeing what arty has to say.

But your artwork is great and I'm sure people would want to buy/display it.

 

[Bongo]

 

[Artyczar]

Hi again Raj,

I had a little time to look over your website a bit and your art is just absolutely stunning. I'd like to ask you about your goals and experience. Do you want to exhibit in galleries in the contemporary scene? Have you ever had any showings yet? What background do you have in your studies, etc. We can PM together if you'd like if you'd like to go into that further if you need any advice in how to gear your site to appeal to galleries and that kind of thing. They like to see certain things like where you are from/background and some of your experience, even if you have very little--that is not a determent these days.

Anyway, regarding being shy. I am very shy in person. I'm known to have to take anti-anxiety medication in order to get through my receptions and openings just to talk to people. It's really not easy for me. I'm probably somewhere on the spectrum myself, but I don't have a specific diagnosis in that specific regard (I have plenty of other mental illness). But I can't handle crowds or loud rooms. It's difficult for my nervous system. I've had to buckle down and deal with a lot to get what I've needed. Grin and bear it.

I'm sure you probably know that you must do the research first. Don't waste your time going to gallery openings to places that wouldn't be the right fit for your work. I know it's difficult to go out to openings, but you need not talk about your own work when you do this actually. You only need to do very little at the actual openings. The gallery directors and salespeople are not interested in talking to new artists at that time at all. Meeting other artists should be your goal, and you only need to connect to one or two who might go around to other galleries with you.

Talking about the art you are looking at on the walls in the moment can be a way to spark a conversation with someone else who is just standing there--someone who also appears to be solo. You can ask them if they know the artist. What do they make of the piece they are looking at? Wait for them to respond with an answer, and hopefully, a question for you. Then you can introduce yourself. Ask if they are an artist, or a patron, etc.

In this artworld/business, you are required to be brave. You are already brave as an artist; it is plain to see. If it wasn't scary, it wouldn't be considered bravery, would it?

If you come across as an oddball, do not worry about it. You're an artist and we can get away with that kind of shit. Sometimes, it's preferred if you're a little odd! Don't apologize for having Asperger's, or having any kind of mental illness, anxiety, or being on the spectrum. Be who you are because there's nothing you can do about that anyway.

Now, going back to the gallery on a quiet day during the show, after you've gone to the opening, might be a good way to speak to the gallery staff. But this is still thin ice to navigate. There's a way to finesse this. You can't really go in there and start soliciting yourself cold. You can talk about the show, talk about their other artists, ask a few questions that would interest them more than yourself, and go to a few more of their openings to show that you are interested in their program. It's a kind of courtship at first before you can ask them how you might be able to submit to them, or even ask if you can. Many galleries won't even take unsolicited submissions. You want to get them to ask you. So, it's a bit tricky. It's a stupid game.

Did you get to any galleries in LA when you came to do the Chapman documentary? Any places you liked? Did the staff at the college have any advice for you? Did you make a connection(s) at Chapman at all? Someone you can keep in email touch with? Do you think they would exhibit your work there? Did you inquire about that?

 

[Raj Singh Tattal]

I can't really give you much advice and am more looking forward to seeing what arty has to say.

But your artwork is great and I'm sure people would want to buy/display it.

Hi again Raj,

I had a little time to look over your website a bit and your art is just absolutely stunning. I'd like to ask you about your goals and experience. Do you want to exhibit in galleries in the contemporary scene? Have you ever had any showings yet? What background do you have in your studies, etc. We can PM together if you'd like if you'd like to go into that further if you need any advice in how to gear your site to appeal to galleries and that kind of thing. They like to see certain things like where you are from/background and some of your experience, even if you have very little--that is not a determent these days.

Anyway, regarding being shy. I am very shy in person. I'm known to have to take anti-anxiety medication in order to get through my receptions and openings just to talk to people. It's really not easy for me. I'm probably somewhere on the spectrum myself, but I don't have a specific diagnosis in that specific regard (I have plenty of other mental illness). But I can't handle crowds or loud rooms. It's difficult for my nervous system. I've had to buckle down and deal with a lot to get what I've needed. Grin and bear it.

I'm sure you probably know that you must do the research first. Don't waste your time going to gallery openings to places that wouldn't be the right fit for your work. I know it's difficult to go out to openings, but you need not talk about your own work when you do this actually. You only need to do very little at the actual openings. The gallery directors and salespeople are not interested in talking to new artists at that time at all. Meeting other artists should be your goal, and you only need to connect to one or two who might go around to other galleries with you.

Talking about the art you are looking at on the walls in the moment can be a way to spark a conversation with someone else who is just standing there--someone who also appears to be solo. You can ask them if they know the artist. What do they make of the piece they are looking at? Wait for them to respond with an answer, and hopefully, a question for you. Then you can introduce yourself. Ask if they are an artist, or a patron, etc.

In this artworld/business, you are required to be brave. You are already brave as an artist; it is plain to see. If it wasn't scary, it wouldn't be considered bravery, would it?

If you come across as an oddball, do not worry about it. You're an artist and we can get away with that kind of shit. Sometimes, it's preferred if you're a little odd! Don't apologize for having Asperger's, or having any kind of mental illness, anxiety, or being on the spectrum. Be who you are because there's nothing you can do about that anyway.

Now, going back to the gallery on a quiet day during the show, after you've gone to the opening, might be a good way to speak to the gallery staff. But this is still thin ice to navigate. There's a way to finesse this. You can't really go in there and start soliciting yourself cold. You can talk about the show, talk about their other artists, ask a few questions that would interest them more than yourself, and go to a few more of their openings to show that you are interested in their program. It's a kind of courtship at first before you can ask them how you might be able to submit to them, or even ask if you can. Many galleries won't even take unsolicited submissions. You want to get them to ask you. So, it's a bit tricky. It's a stupid game.

Did you get to any galleries in LA when you came to do the Chapman documentary? Any places you liked? Did the staff at the college have any advice for you? Did you make a connection(s) at Chapman at all? Someone you can keep in email touch with? Do you think they would exhibit your work there? Did you inquire about that?

Hi,

Thanks i really appreciate your advice and the time you have taken to respond. Would be great to see your artwork and website, so feel free to email me at pentacularartist@yahoo.co.uk.

I am in this mess due to myself not being Business orientated. I am not very materialistic, and as i do not have a wife, kids, mortgage etc i am free to draw as much as i want. But i have not been smart, as i have got myself in debt, buying the top end art equipment, but not bringing enough money in.

And after coronavirus , things have slowed down in commisions, and i need to srart selling my artworks. Seriously my website only has about 20%, i have loads of unsold art just sitting here doing nothing.

I have not contacted any gallery, neither by email or in person. Even though i live in London a short way from central london where there are hundreds of galleries.

As the one thing i saw on youtube was not to pester galleries especially if your artwok is not up to standard. So i waited and for the last 3-4 years started tackiling social issues artwork and building my portfolio. As my old artwork work as just boring copies of photos, and others can do that a million times better than me. But i have a good imagination, so decided to use it to create complex, unique artwork and then onto larger A0 pieces.

I am aware artists can be weird lol. But my issue is that i can be sociable, quite friendly and talkative when i am comfortable. But the opposite when i feel out of place. And i did 2 group shows one in 2015 and one in 2016, and i did not like it.

And i then never did them again, which i now know to be very stupid on my part. As i could of started getting connections during that time which would of grown. But i disliked the group exhibitions so much . that i 'cut of my nose to spite my face'

I think like most artitsts i do not feel good enough and compare myself to others. But i have now got to the point its 'make or break' and i have to push myself out of my comfort zone.

I did make connections at chapman, but like an idiot i did not keep them. I am very self destructive like that, as i hate having to do the small talk to create relationships.

The friends i have, know not to phone me for no reason. They may only chat to me once or twice a year, and do not take it personal if i call them because i need a dvice or help. But most people do not tolerate that and i have been told i am very self absorbed and selfish.

Which to be honest is true, but i am working on it. I have even been practising small talk, like, how was your day' id you go holiday etc for when i go exhibitions. But i don't really care so hopefully i can fake it

Thanks again, i really appreciate this as i am truly in a diificult situation, where i may need to start the 9-5 grind of work again. This to me would be like living in hell and would be soul crushing as drawing helps me mentally as well.

Hopefully me being at this low point will finally push me to confront my fears as i do not have a choice.

 

[Raj Singh Tattal]

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Thanks, i really need to do these kind of pics and put them on my website as it brings the artwork to life. Thanks allot.

 

[Artyczar]

No problem Raj. You can see my website at esart.com. All my work is on my site in different bodies/series. It's put together that way so that everything is not all displayed too overwhelmingly, yet it's everything. It still may be overwhelming, but I'm told a lot of people have fun exploring it anyway.

I know what you mean about being self-absorbed and selfish. Maybe artists of all types can be this way. It's not that uncommon. I hate the phone too and it drives my friends crazy, but older friends are used to it. I don't usually call them, not even for advice, in fact it's the other way around. Most friends hit me up only when they want something. But it's fine because they know I don't really want to meet for coffee.

I also don't have a mortage or much of an overhead, but I also have no debt. I do that on purpose because I chose to live full time as an artist. It's important not to have kids or be in debt, for me. It's so I can sustain this life.

Keeping some kind of connection to the important people, at least through email or newsletters is pretty key. You can always reintroduce yourself through email to the ones from your past. They will remember you because of your art.

I'm sorry you hated the group shows. I really hate them too. I don't do group shows anymore, only solo ones, but I've worked my way up and out of most group shows now. If a museum group show was on the horizon, of course I'd do that, but gallery shows are solo ones.

Your portraits are not boring and should stay on your site as an archive or under a portrait section so you can still generate that type of income (if you desire). They are stellar.

Feel free to contact me privately.

 

[Raj Singh Tattal]

I can see why you are succesfull, really love your style as its so unique. And although it looks colourful but have a dark undertone to them , i really love the 'hostile Family portraits', theres something about those paintings that i connect to. I really love artwork that has a drak undertone my favourite artist is 'H i geiger' who done thealien design.

Its great to see that your artwork has been recognised and you have been successful, as you can show artists like me that it is possible. I wil contact you privately as i do not want to disclose certain things on a forum. But i think having this thread not only helps me but will help others in the future to.

We seem to be more similar than i thought, maybe you are on the autistic spectrum I am hoping when i go to exhibitions i like the artwork as that will make it easier. I find it hard to lie if i do not like stuff, but if i do I can be pretty talkative. Like with your art, if i met you at an exhibition i know i could connect as the artwork is unique and not something i have seen.

Although i stopped group exhibitions, i did still exhibit before lockdown, Including in the UK parliement. Unfortunately tthis artwork was very specific about 'SIKH history and religion'. Being from a Sikh background i have done 30 plus artworks some are on my old website here https://pentacularartist.wixsite.com/pentacularartist/sikh-artwork

And because it is religous, i feel uncomfortable making money from it. So do not plan to sell them, and i have let people use them without charging them. I know that sounds crazy as they have been put in books, in videos, been sold as prints and even on clothing in the by others etc. But i am just happy there being seen and i a way to give back to the Sikh community in my own way.

The portaits were a good way to practise and to do commisions. But i do not want to be an artist that just copies a picture, but like yourself i have an imagination and want to be known for that. As although i love Hyperealistic artwork, it gets boring after a bit and i want to be challenged mentally by the artwork.

To be honest the group shows were not that bad, it was me i was still trying to find my style and lacked confidence. So any little negative thing i blew out of proprtion. If i kept doing them i would not be in this mess, but it is what it is. I cannot change the past but learn from the past.

I have to say this painting really connect to me. I have been planning on do a piece where i am standing in the middle of a crowd with everyone looking at me. As i always felt like the 'Alien' in the room, wherevere i went even with my family and sikh people. So i was going to draw myself as an alien. This painting reminds me of that , i am the one on the right with big eyes and being stared at lol, great artwork will go through it properly later

 

[Artyczar]

Thank you for your nice comments about my work. It feels great to hear it.

I think your art that addresses your heritage is important and you shouldn't feel bad about making any money on it, as it is part of you and your life. That is what your art is about and what you are about. Why should it be a separate thing? That's just my opinion. I have some art that addresses my Jewish heritage and I sell it. Some of the work has Hebrew in it. I don't have any shame in that. Maybe it appeals to a smaller audience, but I've honestly sold it to many people who are not Jewish or Hebrew-speaking at all. Some of it is semi-religious, or can be seen that way. It's up for interpretation. A lot of my stuff addresses my family and family dysfunction, even child abuse. Maybe some people can't see that in the work, but I'm addressing it, nonetheless. Somehow, I sell it. I don't know how though!

I have shown in synagogues at times, and the money goes to them. It depends on the venue of course. A Hillel at a university, etc., the money is split differently.

But that's how I manage these things. We are all different. And I can see why you want to give back to the community because that is important and part of the culture and the religion, so I totally get that.

I think you are on the right track Raj. Keep going and doing your thing. I think you have already developed a style most definitely. If you really want to break into the gallery scene, you can do it. It's not an easy path and it takes work and putting yourself in uncomfortable situations for sure. You probably just have to make a decision on how badly you want it, weigh the pros and cons about it, and take it one step at a time so it's not as overwhelming.

 

[Raj Singh Tattal]

Yes i want it, I just need to push myself to do the networking and business side now. I have developed my own unique style, which i hope is unique enough. I just have to accept that not everyone will like it and rejection is part of the game and not to take it personally.

And your artwork is great, i don't just say it to be polite as thats not how I am. But your style is unique and so varied, that i have not seen art like it before. and if you read my bio i wrote 'During this time he did not draw for 12 years, and struggled with mental health issues. Always feeling that he was the odd one out and like an ''alien among other people and used Alcohol to help ease his depression and anxiety. thats why that painting in particular struck a cord.

My sikh art, is complicated, as I do not gibe much to my community, so this is one way of doing that. Others like yourself might do other things in your comunity, myself i don't do much. So doing art classes , exhibitions etc for free is my own unique way of giving back.

Not all of my sikh art is not for sale (below top pic), Is two drawings i did of the 'amritsar masscre' in 1917 by the british in india. which i exhibited at UK parliament, which i would sell, As its History not religion. But the other pics are Religous (below pics), so i exhibit them for free and let them be used including on books for free. and i will not sell them, but am willing to donate if a Sikh temple asked.

I went to a Synagouge in Losa angelos in 2017, it was beautiful. The rabbi was a young women which was surprising and it had a piano in the prayer hall. I saw the Torah in person for the first time which was also amazing. Sikhs really admire the jewish people as they like the sikhs have suffered. As sikhs to have been nearly wiped out in india in the 1700's, but managed to survive and are now succesful.

I will message you privately if thats ok, as i saw a drawing of yours 'transmission 2' which also I connected to. Which is the wheelchair painting, which is something that hits home. But i do not want to discuss on a public platform why as its personal.

 

[Artyczar]

My Rabi was also female (in Los Angeles), but I have no Synagogue where I live now in the high desert about two hours east of LA. There are a ton of Christain churches here. Because we can't get into religion on the forum, you should definitely email me privately to discuss any of this any further, but the kind of Judaism I practice, which follows more of the Kabbalah, coincides a little more with Sikhism than standard Judaism, which started around the same time in the 15th century (I believe). Not that I like discussing religion, but that's about as far as I can talk about it here. Religious belief can't be discussed here on the forum, but we welcome the traditions and backgrounds of all people of all kinds. I think it's wonderful that you address these subjects and your heritage in your work. It is part of you as a person.

Thank you so much for your words about Transmission II. I live with disabilities and mental illness and sometimes address these subjects in my work as well. I have been looking to place that painting in a hospital collection (if possible) but haven't been able to find a for it yet. It may be too literal or odd. I have been able to get other pieces into a few other medical facilities--just not that one. I wouldn't mind selling it to the right collector that appreciates it as well. It has a lot of sewn elements in it; as I sometimes stitch thread directly through the canvas with thread into paper collage, then apply oil paint over it. On that particular painting, I drew the wheelchair with a blindfold on as an experiment.

You can email me privately through my website page here: https://esart.com/contact/ I'm afraid if I literally type out my email address, I may get more spam, as robots crawl the web for typed-out email addresses. If you'd like I can send you an email first and then you will automatically have mine to reply to, or you can just private message me through the forum by starting a "conversation" with me, as these are private. Just let me know how you'd like to proceed.

I am glad that you no longer use alcohol as a way to cope with anxiety and depression, as that will make you more depressed in the long run. I did that in my youth, along with other dangerous drugs, and it didn't work for very long. Now I take prescription medication for bipolar disorder and other mental illness, as well as Lupus and a neurological syndrome that's very similar to multiple sclerosis, so I'm managed by a lot of pills. Before I started taking any Western medicine at all, I was in a wheelchair for a couple of years, on and off during various bouts/attacks of physical illness. I was once a professional musician (a drummer), and this disability took me out of the profession due to it affecting my legs, spine, eyesight, and more. That is what made me focus on my art full-time around 1998.

It was even harder to go out to galleries and into the artworld during that time, and then people didn't even know I was the same person out of the wheelchair once I started getting managed on the medication and got to walking again with the cane. I really noticed how people tended to define people in wheelchairs as "different"--sometimes not even as people. It was a strange experience.

Anyway, this is getting way too long of a post, so I will stop here.

 

[Raj Singh Tattal]

My Rabi was also female (in Los Angeles), but I have no Synagogue where I live now in the high desert about two hours east of LA. There are a ton of Christain churches here. Because we can't get into religion on the forum, you should definitely email me privately to discuss any of this any further, but the kind of Judaism I practice, which follows more of the Kabbalah, coincides a little more with Sikhism than standard Judaism, which started around the same time in the 15th century (I believe). Not that I like discussing religion, but that's about as far as I can talk about it here. Religious belief can't be discussed here on the forum, but we welcome the traditions and backgrounds of all people of all kinds. I think it's wonderful that you address these subjects and your heritage in your work. It is part of you as a person.

Thank you so much for your words about Transmission II. I live with disabilities and mental illness and sometimes address these subjects in my work as well. I have been looking to place that painting in a hospital collection (if possible) but haven't been able to find a for it yet. It may be too literal or odd. I have been able to get other pieces into a few other medical facilities--just not that one. I wouldn't mind selling it to the right collector that appreciates it as well. It has a lot of sewn elements in it; as I sometimes stitch thread directly through the canvas with thread into paper collage, then apply oil paint over it. On that particular painting, I drew the wheelchair with a blindfold on as an experiment.

You can email me privately through my website page here: https://esart.com/contact/ I'm afraid if I literally type out my email address, I may get more spam, as robots crawl the web for typed-out email addresses. If you'd like I can send you an email first and then you will automatically have mine to reply to, or you can just private message me through the forum by starting a "conversation" with me, as these are private. Just let me know how you'd like to proceed.

I am glad that you no longer use alcohol as a way to cope with anxiety and depression, as that will make you more depressed in the long run. I did that in my youth, along with other dangerous drugs, and it didn't work for very long. Now I take prescription medication for bipolar disorder and other mental illness, as well as Lupus and a neurological syndrome that's very similar to multiple sclerosis, so I'm managed by a lot of pills. Before I started taking any Western medicine at all, I was in a wheelchair for a couple of years, on and off during various bouts/attacks of physical illness. I was once a professional musician (a drummer), and this disability took me out of the profession due to it affecting my legs, spine, eyesight, and more. That is what made me focus on my art full-time around 1998.

It was even harder to go out to galleries and into the artworld during that time, and then people didn't even know I was the same person out of the wheelchair once I started getting managed on the medication and got to walking again with the cane. I really noticed how people tended to define people in wheelchairs as "different"--sometimes not even as people. It was a strange experience.

Anyway, this is getting way too long of a post, so I will stop here.

It might be the same rabi lol. She was very young and trendy, i was shocked when she said she was the rabi. I have sent you an email as i did not want to discuss certain things here.

I agree religio and politics should be left out this forum. But Artwork sometimes crosses over into it so it might come up.