How to Get Your Art Noticed

I’m a fashion photographer. This is my art. Copyright 2013 Bryanne Elaine Mitchell

Don’t get me wrong–I don’t mean to down-play your talent, but at RFLX 5280, we believe that everyone’s an artist.  Every single person on this Earth has the God-given gift of creativity.  Some people are visionary painters, some people have  a knack for sculpture, and some people are collage artists.  The difference between each of us is the level of commitment we dedicate to that gift of creativity.

So, you’ve decided to commit yourself to your creativity.  You make art whenever you have the chance and you think you’ve really “got the goods”.  You have something to say.  Your art is important to you and, besides your family and friends, you want the world to see it.  Where do you even start???

How do you get your art noticed?

1. Introduce Yourself

Fortunately, the art world is small here in Denver, as compared to the more famous art districts of New York and California, so breaking-in is a lot easier than you might think. The best way to introduce your art to the community is to dive right in!  Attend as many art events as your wallet can handle and talk to other attendees.  You’ll meet other Denver artists, collectors, dealers, bloggers, and gallery owners who are just as interested in discovering new artists as you are interested in showing your work!

2. Immerse yourself

Once you’ve established a few relationships in your art network, get involved! Volunteer to work at local art events. RiNo Artists and the Santa Fe art district are great resources. Comment on local art blogs–or start one yourself!  By lending yourself to the community, you’re establishing your presence and reputation.  Always remember that you’re one small part of the “big picture”.  Your hard work and reputation will be the foundation for a greater opportunity.  Don’t mess it up for yourself by getting all “divalicious” about your talent.  If you’re working as a greeter for another local artist’s exhibition, that’s not really the appropriate time to badger your favorite Denver art gallery owner about sponsoring your latest installation.

3. Have patience

Of course, when it is appropriate (like the day after you’ve exchanged business cards with a local collector– you don’t want to beat your vision into their head),  give key players a link to your website, briefly (emphasis on briefly) describe your technique and themes, make sure they know how to contact you, and then be patient.  It might take a little bit of restraint to avoid giving them your entire art philosophy but your patience will read as respect for the other person’s time and consideration.  Let them decide if they understand or like your work for themselves before you press them any further.

4. Work Well With Others

This doesn’t mean that you should just pass out a stack of super-sweet business cards and wait by the phone.  If your goal is to get your work seen at a Denver art show, you’ve gotta take some sort of action.  Do some research and find out how to enter local group shows.  Group shows are great platforms for exposure because they help you get your name recognized.  On the flipped side, it’s a lot more difficult to promote your personal ideas within the confines of a group theme (I said more difficult–not impossible), but it’s a great stepping stone toward getting your first solo exhibition.

5. Use Your Imagination

What’s even more awesome about breaking into the local arts scene is the fact that you don’t have to solely rely on traditional gallery establishments to get your art seen.  When you’ve stabilized a decent reputation, organize your own show at an unexpected spot! You never know…if you’re able to get the community’s key players to attend, this could very well be your big break!

If you’re interested in showing your art with RFLX 5280, join our network! We’re dedicated to promoting young Denver artists  in order to bring the city forward as the fashion & arts capitol of the Midwest!

Related Links:

Artist Profile: Jeremy Pape aka Konsequence, 25 – Denver

Denver Street Art #2

Passionate About Creating

Drawing Dreamland

The Coolest Cat

Skin Therapy Fashion Showcase 22 March 2013, 8:00pm

[Click on the flyer to go to the Facebook event page!]

As much as I love mainstream fashion and apparel, I get even more excited about the pool of local independent designers we have here in the Mile High.  These designers are true artists.  They don’t have the weight of a 100 year old label’s reputation screwing up influencing their creative decisions.  These designers have free reign to show us what inspires them.

Denver has a genius pool of artistic designers, btw, two of which will be showcasing their custom creations at Unit E, a creative space and art collective, on March 22nd.  Bex Zilla Design and Phaulty Phantasmagoria are custom apparel labels based in the Denver area. Support your local designers at the Skin Therapy Show.

Hair and Make Up by Three Little Birds Salon and MUA Karly Porter
Music by Skyrider and Architect
$5 Cover

1201 Santa Fe Drive, Unit E, Denver, Colorado 80204

Life & Art: Jeremy Pape aka Konsequence, 25 – Denver

Armed with only a camera and a laptop, Jeremy Pape of Welcome to the D.O.P.E. Game is ready to take the music video world by force. The Canada native levels with RFLX 5280 to talk about his art, his style, and D.O.P.E.’s next move.  By Bryanne Mitchell

It’s a chilly morning in the Mile High and I walk into Illegal Grounds Coffeehouse all too ready to warm my hands with a freshly brewed soy hazelnut latte. I say hello to the smiling barista who’s busy wiping milk froth from the counters  and inhale the friendly atmosphere. The air’s deliciously thick with the scent of spicy chai and earthy coffee grounds. I can’t help but order a large and foamy cup before introducing myself to the gentleman in plaid, who’s planted on a big, comfy sofa in the seating area of this quaint little café, intently working on his laptop. There’s no doubt; Jeremy Pape, aka Konsequence, is a tireless virtuoso.
 He works days and nights with the motley crew that embodies, “Welcome to the D.O.P.E. Game”, a creative assemblage he founded alongside Turner Jackson, the late Marcus “Arilius” Hayes, and DJ Dozen. Their philosophy is simple–“Don’t Oppress Positive Energy.”–and there’s definitely a wave of cool, creative energy radiating from the burgeoning collective of positive thinkers.

As Director of Photography for major projects like Turner Jackson and Sid Madrid’s video for “Malt Liquor” (which was filmed in Denver) and Gucci Mane’s video for “North Pole”, Konsequence already has his foot in the door of opportunity.

[Watch both videos at the bottom of this post!]

In January, he also colluded with Ink Monstr to produce his first art show, appropriately named, “The Brown Bag Art Show”, which showcased his photographic talents to an Invite-Only crowd of enthusiasts.

In the words of the great Doc Brown (yes, that was a Back To The Future reference), “If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.”  Although Doc may be a  fictional character, Konsequence shows us that his words are pure truth.  The power of the mind is a positive energy that gives us the ability to conquer all.  Put your mind to something and welcome yourself to the D.O.P.E. game.

****

 

How did you come up with the name “Konsequence”?

Jeremy Pape: I used to do really shitty graffiti in Colorado Springs when I was younger [and that was my alias]. I was born in Toronto, Ontario and lived there until the end of middle school. I went to high school in Colorado Springs, then moved to L.A., and went to school there for a little bit but — same story as everybody else — you run out of money and come back home to try to figure some shit out.

How would you describe your work?

JP: I’m unique. It’s pretty much just telling stories and evoking emotion. Those are two things that I like to do. So I guess [my work is] whatever that is, whether it be with photos, videos, or design. It’s definitely not nearly as polished as other people’s work. Visually, I’ve always liked a little grunge. I love it. I’m not even sure if it’s relevant anymore, but other people seem to like it, too.  I just picked up a camera maybe a year and some change ago, so my style is always evolving, but I know that it’ll always be honest and documentary.  I’m not the kind of guy that shoots studio settings  and cars draped with girls. That’s not me at all.

How did you get started?

JP: Akomplice clothing company is, like, my favorite clothing company ever. They really made me want to design, but I sucked at it. I’m, like, the worst artist. I’m terrible at drawing, but I graduated from UCD with a degree in Fine Arts for digital design. I just picked up directing videos when I met my friend, Turner Jackson. I did a few of his album covers and one day he said, “I’m sure we could learn how to make a music video,”  and, well, we did!

How do you find inspiration?

JP: Just living my life. It’s weird as shit. Haha!

What influences your work?

JP: I am obsessed with Hype Williams–he’s mega dope–and there’s a lot of directors in Atlanta that I really appreciate, like Motion Family and Decatur Dan. I look to them for all the cool new shit.  I also really love European graffiti artists and that Basquiat-esque European swag.  They’re street artists but their work is still classy.

What’s the connection between your work and your life?

JP: They’re one and the same, really.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

JP: My mom told me to never give up.

What’s next for Welcome to the D.O.P.E. game?

JP: We’re going to be putting together a few shows in the next year. I really want to focus on pushing the art community of Denver.  Our last art show was really successful so we want to hold another one at the Jet Hotel on March 29th. I want to feature some of my favorite Denver artists.  [The theme is going to be “40 oz.” Each artist will be presenting an interpretation of 40 oz. of malt liquor.] I also hope to push some sort of cool monthly art scene that’s NOT like First Friday.  First Friday is cool, but it’s already established and  the scene really isn’t ‘me’.  I think we could get really progressive and do some cool stuff.

What is one thing you wish you’d done when you first started out?

JP: I wish I would have believed that my career was going to be successful.  That would have informed a lot of my decisions better.

What are you reading right now?

JP: Just Do Something [ by Kevin DeYoung]. I’m not a thinker, I’m a doer.  I like to meditate while I’m in action, so I probably don’t need to be reading this book; it’s only fueling the fire. But it’s cool because it’s shown me how to be confident in the decisions I’m making and how not to worry about fortune cookie quotes and other bullshit.  I really only read self-help books.

What can’t you start a day without?

JP: Coffee and weed.

What do you wish you could spend more time on?

JP: Selfishly and honestly, I wish I could just spend more time on myself. I’m actually going to South America in May because I really need that right now.

Must have accessory?

JP: This wooden rosary. I have to have this, always.  The first video I ever did outside of Colorado was Gucci Mane’s “North Pole” video. We shot it in the trap and that’s also where I stayed.  I had to sleep with my laptop in my arms and my camera as a pillow because I didn’t know if it was gonna get jacked! I got this rosary right before I stayed there and nothing bad happened. I know He was holding me down.

Memorable and regrettable splurge?

JP: I don’t really splurge on anything except plane tickets. You should always treat yourself to travel. If you don’t buy clothes, buy plane tickets.

How would you describe your style?

JP: Dirty. I try to be tasteful. My only thing is, no holes in the jeans… my mom would never like that.

What clothing trend do you really hate?

JP: I just can’t get behind the men’s dress thing.  But at the same time, my dad can’t get behind the saggy skinny jeans thing, so I’m sure when I’m 40 and I have 17 year olds wearing dresses, I’ll just be like “I don’t get it,” no matter how much they explain to me why it’s cool to them.

“If you looked in my closet right now, you’d mostly find…”

JP: Flannel and Vans. I probably have 20-25 pairs of Vans shoes.

Favorite song of the moment?

JP: Oh. My. Gosh. Right now my favorite song is “Work’ by Young Scooter and Gucci Mane.

Guilty pleasure?

JP: Everyone knows that I love drugs and alcohol, so probably that, but if you ask the girls, they’ll say the girls.

Hidden talent?

JP: My brothers and I are actually really good at synchronized swimming. Ha! We had a lot of time together while we were growing up.

Favorite TV show?

JP: I don’t really watch TV but I watched Sons of Anarchy on Netflix and went through all of it ridiculously fast.

Favorite Movie?

JP: In the Land of Women, starring Adrien Brody. My ex stole it, but I love that movie.

Favorite Meal?

JP: Breakfast Burritos, hands down. I used to run a breakfast burrito blog where I would review the joints that I liked. Illegal Pete’s floats my boat right now.

Bronco Gang?

JP: I’m from Canada so we don’t really get into football, but, of course, I’ll cheer for the home team.

What to Wear…

By Bryanne Mitchell

RFLX Reads: The Casual Vacany by J.K. Rowling

 

Pagford is a small, ordinary English town, with ordinary people, who do ordinary things, in ordinary time.  That’s what it seems, at least.  When town council member, Barry Fairbrother dies unexpectedly , the true nature of this sleepy little town is revealed. Wars of passion, greed, and defiance rage between these seemingly ordinary people and the town council seat, left empty by Mr. Fairbrother, soon becomes the fixation for the towns seemingly ordinary conquerors. Lies, secrets, and revelations color J.K. Rowling’s first adult novel with dark comedy and all the drama she so famously coined in her Harry Potter series.  Her fans will not be disappointed. (Look out for the BBC television adaptation in 2014!)

 

Denver Street Art #2

RFLX Reads: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

It’s 1991 and Charlie’s not the most popular kid in school, but he’s not at the bottom of the high school food chain, either. In his first novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower,  Stephen Chbosky intimately peers into the mind and heart of 15-year-old Charlie as he braves the dark turmoil of adolescence, in spite of his persisting depression and possibly as the result of an even darker secret, with the help of two older friends, Samantha and Patrick. Written in a series of witty, sensitive letters to an unidentified recipient, this novel is the voice of every generation. It’s relatable as it is humorous and, in turn, gives its readers a chance to burden a fictional character with their own troubles.  The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a modern classic. Remember: You are infinite.

Life & Art: Denver Street Art #1 (Downtown)

RFLX Reads: The Life of Pi by Yann Martel

16-year-old Piscine Molitor Patel (Pi, for short) and his family run a zoo in Pondicherry, India.  When political revolution tears their country apart, the family leaves Pondicherry in hopes to establish a new zoo and build a new life in Canada.  Disaster strikes and Pi finds himself stranded on a life boat in the Pacific Ocean with the only other shipwreck survivors: a zebra with a broken leg, an orangutan, a hyena– and a Bengal Tiger.

Pi discovers the power in his will and the strength in his wit in this gripping tale about survival, faith, and human nature.

Yann Martel’s The Life of Pi is a magical and moving story first published in 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. The feature-length film adaptation opens in theaters November 21st.

RFLX Reads: The Reader

In Bernhard Schlink‘s national bestseller, The Reader, Michael Berg, a 15-year-old German boy plagued by Hepatitis, meets Hanna Schmitz, a beautiful and mysterious woman in her thirties.  They forge an unlikely friendship which quickly evolves into a passionate affair, being careful to keep their anomalous relationship hidden from the world.  In spite of the passion and growing affections between the lovers, one day, Hanna unexpectedly disappears, leaving Michael with only the wistful memory of their months together.

Years later, as a law student, Michael sees Hanna as she is put on trial for unspeakable crimes.  Emotions rise as Michael is forced to confront his broken heart and the complex truth about Hanna’s shocking secrets.

The Reader, a New York Times notable book and now a major motion picture from the Weinstein Company, is a required read in many German high schools as it marvelously examines morally complex philosophies through a steamy and elegant novel.  From the first sentence to the last page, you won’t want to put this one down.