Living in the eternal present

Do you think Albert Einstein unintentionally warned us about how much quarantine sucks, even though he was talking about living in the moment? “Life is a preparation for the future, and the best preparation for the future is to live as if there were none.”

It sure feels like we’re living in a Never-ending Now. I go to the studio, but it’s all I can do to complete just one task. It wasn’t until this morning that I remembered something due to happen in the future: I’m expecting a new collector to send me the final installment payment for the “Blue-Rare” collage.

I sent the first invoice at the end of December 2019, and I’m immensely grateful for the payments. But right now something else is more important to me: this collage ties me to a past, present and future. Time is moving forward. Glacially, but still moving. So maybe there will be a day when the COVID-19 quarantine ends… maybe?

How to survive the current plague

Bravo to those who braved coronavirus exposure to attend the opening of “20/20 Vision” art exhibit! I was surprised (and relieved) to see collectors and artists crowding into the gallery for First Thursday.

But I’m also a little concerned about the people I didn’t see at the art walk. So here are my totally unscientific, Top Two Tips for surviving the current plague, whether you’re making or appreciating the art.

First: Artists can’t live in ghost towns.

Artist Susan Derrick gets a better look at “They Don’t Really Feel Pain” by Lisa Myers Bulmash

As you see above, art galleries are still open, and so are many artist studios. They rely on foot traffic, to some degree. If you’re still feeling pretty healthy (no flu-like symptoms, not coughing or sneezing into your elbow), go out. Go to the next art walk or performance, whether you’re in a spending mood or just showing up to support a friend.

Second: Fill your cart from home.

Maggie Jiang’s paintings at Koplin del Rio Gallery, Pioneer Square

The lovely thing about collecting art online is that there’s no risk of COVID-19 infection. It’s just you and the germs you’re already carrying. (Psst: wash your hands, kids.) Try browsing your favorite gallery or artist website and see if there’s an artwork you just can’t live without. Email/ direct message/ text the artist or gallery and arrange to pick up the work when you’re feeling better.

And in case I forgot to say it earlier: WASH YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER. The longer you stay healthy, the more art events you can attend.

Inside a private art studio visit

When was the last meeting you had that made you this happy?

An art collector savoring his new purchase after a studio visit

When you visit an artist’s studio, you get to see whichever artworks you like, not just the one or two I’ve submitted to an art exhibit. It took a year to arrange this private meeting: not because it’s a complicated process, but because we all have lives outside of receptions and art fairs. (I know — art world blasphemy.)

Seattle Art Fair 2019

Luckily, we ran into each other again at this year’s Seattle Art Fair. That gave us a chance to coordinate our calendars. I’m not able to do open studio hours, so I emailed him three openings in my schedule.

This collector didn’t ask to see a specific artwork, or go down a studio visit checklist. What he asked about were the backstories: he got to know each piece. So the visit was more about recognizing the pieces he loved.

In-situ photo of “Safe/ Not Safe (Semiahmoo).” Photo credit: Diane Venti.

And that’s the thing: this art is going to become part of your life. So I get that it may take more than one visit for someone to find the piece that’s going to move in with you, so to speak. You can get my undivided attention via text or email. And then it’s a date… well, not a date date, but an appointment with your artwork destiny.