MEET KEN ELLIOTT
Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ken Elliott. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Ken, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
As a landscape artist, I’m aware of the hundreds of years of very good artists that came before me. There is also the realization that there is nothing new under the sun. That may or may not be absolutely true, but it is extremely difficult to invent the artistic equivalent of a new fork or spoon.
After the periods of learning to draw, handling paint and making a picture, I’ve come to the conclusion that I am conscious picture making, and now I’m trying to thrill myself. Finished paintings to be more than just good enough or they don’t leave the studio. The bar is always going up, and I am self-critical, but optimistic. The more paintings. I do as an aware artist, the better I get. Those improvements are typically small, but they steadily accumulate so that artworks improve year after year.
That gives me the incentive to create more paintings, along with the motivation to pay the bills. I remember a businessman, telling me, “If you do something really well, making money is a side effect.” I am happily in that place, striving to create good works of art without the commercial distractions.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I grew up in the art business, first working in frame shops then in galleries, and finally I took the leap and decided to become an artist. This is been going on for about 50 years now and I thoroughly enjoy being in the room where art is appreciated by collectors, dealers and the creators.
As it pertains to history, art is something that lasts and the story of humanity is tied to it. Working alone in the studio, you sometimes feel that in the air and inspires me to do my very best at all times.
There are hundreds of thousands of artists currently working with more or graduating every semester. It’s difficult to be seen so a good portion of my time is spent photographing, writing about and promoting my works on my own and in coordination with my galleries. Fortunately, I enjoy doing it, and I am technically capable of doing it with ease.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
To your question, of the three items you listed, by far the most important to me was to have been mentored and taught by the best artists in my field, Wolf Kahn and Forrest Moses. Without their critical and strategic painting information as well as their experience navigating the business of art, I wouldn’t have the advanced tools to attempt the idea of making fine art or the confidence to manage the commercial aspects comfortably.
I’m constantly looking at very good works by other artists. I have a very big library of art books and a digital file of over 2,000 really good works of art that I use almost weekly for inspiration. I am also an art collector, a bug I got during my gallery days. From those acquired works I get a sense of history and my continuous immersion with those thousands of images keeps me in a constant state of improvement.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
My goal is to constantly improve and I do a number of different things to that end:
l learned how to strategically critique my own work.
Have other artists that I compare notes with.
Painting every day and on the days that I can’t I am usually doing art photo and promotional tasks on the computer.
Constantly look at good works by other artists.
Am aware of how I’m managing my time and keeping my art career a priority.
Put out a blog weekly and a newsletter monthly and making sure my website is always up-to-date.
Teach and mentor other artists. It not only improves their skills, but also mine by finding solutions to other painters problems.
Make time for nothing… Just to think about art or anything. To relax and enjoy good friends.
Contact Info:
Website: https://www.kenelliott.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kencelliott
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenelliott/
Twitter: @KenElliottArt
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@elliottkce
Image Credits
Photo of me at desk w/ red painting on wall at right and juggling a painting by Paul Miller photography, Denver.
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