We were lucky to catch up with Caron Greenblatt recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Caron , thanks for joining us today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?
During my third year of University, an arts agency visited and bought some paintings. I only knew after it happened that they’d bought a painting of mine. It was exciting to have been chosen. I was proud to show my parents my first cheque, and so prove to them that paintings can be bought. I used that money for my first plane ticket overseas. I went to London.
The second time I was excited to have sold a painting was when I went out Landscape painting in my neighborhood. I was completely ensconced in the process and did not realize someone was standing behind me watching as I painted. When I finally turned around and noticed the viewer, he offered me 200 dollars in cash for the finished work. I was in shock as I certainly was not expecting that.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
As a child I was involved in the performing arts, acting, singing and dancing and thought I would develop those skills later in life. In school I also took art classes, but never thought anything of them, except that I really enjoyed them. When it came time for University, instead of going to drama school, I thought I’d check out the Fine Arts program instead. As soon as I stepped into the Fine Arts building, I was hooked. Perhaps it was the smell, the creative mess.. I’m not sure, but I gave in to my gut feeling and spent the next four years of study over there. The program covered, drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, print making – each of these disciplines filled me with an endless curiosity and desire to want to delve even deeper. It was painting which caught me in the end. The immediacy of putting paint on the canvas, and the intimate dialog it created between image and painter was enticing. Painting offered me endless possibilities of exploration and it remains exciting for me to this day.
The simplest, most direct act of putting color on canvas connects me to something deep within, as well as to a tradition of painting, and to a specific way of interpreting the world. My paintings derive from my personal experiences, and my attempt to understand my emotional responses to things. At the moment, I am responding to Motherhood. I am a mother to 3 children, two sons and a daughter. My two sons are currently serving as soldiers, and my daughter is soon to be conscripted. This terrifying experience, seemingly contradictory to that of the Mother as protector is the point at which painting meets me. Painting revealed this subject matter to me by not allowing me to lie. It revealed that I am afraid, frustrated, angry and filled with longing. These are the feelings which find their place within the context of the painting dialog.
I hope my images can be a catalyst to spark something personal within the viewer that can then lead to a deeper connection.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I am an artist, and a Mother and I work as an art therapist. I came to art therapy later in life. For many years I had worked odd jobs so that I could continue painting. But neither the odd jobs nor the painting were enough to make ends meet. So I decided to choose a profession that had meaning to me and within which I could work on a part time basis, allowing me time to concentrate on painting. I never related to painting as a means to a financial end, rather I saw it as a conduit into my private world, and a means to communicate with others. I believe in creating a personal and comfortable space which allows me the freedom to create what I want. Through constantly showing up at the studio and making a steady and consistent effort, images that are authentic and honest do arrive. They do so slowly, but they do arrive. When that happens, I feel a great sense of accomplishment.
I share my work through various exhibitions and invitations to my studio, and I get very excited when a friend, collector, or art lover happens upon my work and chooses to purchase a piece they love.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
Just as scientists need labs for research, so do artists require studio space Just as lawyers need offices to work and meet clients, so do artists require studio space
Just as actors and musicians require the stage and an audience, so do artists require exhibition space and viewers.
Just as computer programmers need equipment so do artists require paints and canvas.
Just as children express themselves freely through imagery, whilst their parents look on in pride, so to do artists require the support of their community
Art is not created in a bubble, but as part of a community. Artists by definition look upon society, study it and express it in their work and then reflect back upon the viewer the meanings and consequences of their actions.
Art is an essential and necessary part of any healthy society.
Art making should be supported at every stage, from kindergarten onwards with excellent art programming at schools, and universities, subsidized studio space, and art materials, as well as exhibition space.
Artists should be compensated for taking part in exhibitions on a percentage basis.
The setting up of more Cooperative art galleries should be encouraged, as they concentrate on developing a broader and deeper discussion about art making and allow for experimentation and innovation.
Contact Info: