In the summer of 2015 I asked a pool-hall in my neighborhood if I could put up some of my trippy billiard related paintings on a few of their walls. They had no problem with it and I did the standard routine of hanging them with a little business card connected to it.
Not to sound too much like a Debbie Downer but as usual, absolutely nothing came of it. I wasn't too miffed. I'm used to it as an artist who's put himself out there numerous times with minimal results. That's ok, it's part of the game. The only defeat is to give up and feel defeated. Don't do that, or it's game over.
These were the two pieces hanging in the billiard hall
The paintings were in there for about a year
One day I got a call from the pool-hall. I was hoping it was for a sale or an inquiry but I knew the truth would be bleaker. My gut was right. They needed me to come take them down and pick them up. It didn't bother me long. That's just how it goes.
That was a Friday afternoon. The following Monday, while walking to the subway on my way to work I passed the pool-hall. I noticed a bunch of film crew trucks around. There was filming taking place inside. It made me realize that was the reason they needed the paintings removed. They couldn't have random art work in the background of their TV show.
I felt better about that.
...what happened after that made me feel amazing.
A random email arrived from a stranger into my gmail inbox. He was inquiring about my paintings from the pool hall. I thought the timing was strange. He went on to say that his son was a dj and together they had been searching for some time to find artwork that was related to rollercoasters.
Having been duped on Craigslist in the past, i had my suspicions. After a few back and forth emails we agreed to meet at a nearby coffee shop where he could explain the idea and background story more clearly.
We had a solid 45 minute conversation and I was commissioned immediately to do the album cover art for his son's upcoming album. Half the money was paid upfront.
Whats more, he told me that he had seen the work before it was taken down and that he is "working" on the show that is being filmed in the pool-hall. Inded he was just being modest about it. He was the director. I couldn't believe it.
What a tumultuous week indeed. A real rollercoaster ride of emotion :)
Here is the commissioned piece.
It was a wild time and a crazy coincidence that this occurred as it did, especially because painting rollercoasters was a new found painting passion for me. I was incorporating it into many ideas and future ideas as well.
My main takeaway from this experience and advice I would give to other aspiring artists out there who are feeling dejected about not getting to where they want to be is......stay optimistic, stay creative, and don't let any negativity drag you down because it will. Positivity is a tool. Maintain yours and keep it sharp and ready. Good things will come.
Below are some of the other examples of recent pieces I've done that including some form of abstract rollercoaster'ism.
Hope you enjoy :)