We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cleo Manuel Krueger a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Cleo Manuel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with 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?
For years I earned a nice salary as a Medical Artist and art department manager, illustrating medical publications. My medical art had to be an accurate description of anatomy and surgical technique. Although my career paid the bills, but it was soul-sapping because it limited my creativity.
So I consider my first dollar earned as a “real” artist was selling a pastel painting of the Tuscan countryside at a fundraiser. The amount I earned was peanuts, but the exhilaration I experienced was unmatched. It validated my decision to create fine art whenever I had free time.
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.
My professional career began as a highly-trained Medical Artist (Cornell BA ,Art/ Biology & Medical College of Georgia MS ,Medical Illustration). I produced illustrations of surgery and anatomy for the medical community and pharmaceutical companies.
After focusing on raising my 4 children, I returned to work as a Special Education Teacher Assistant. As an artist, I was able to guide students to draw and sculpt that celebrated their unique way of thinking. Their art was magical, unrestrained by typical art norms. Their works were as good-or better- than Picasso’s! It was a very gratifying period in my life.
My fine art paintings stand apart for their unexpected color, composition and subject (hello parking lots and imaginary landscapes with a hidden eye!)
Being interviewed by “CanvasRebel” is a wonderful coincidence because I possess a ‘rebel’ artist’s brain! Unconsciously, I rebel against strictly copying reference photos. I ignore my preparatory sketches and studies as my paintings eventually morph into something entirely different from their inception..
Because I’m always experimenting, my paintings refuse to adhere to a persistent style or color palette. Nonetheless, they are still recognizable as my characteristic work.
Named after both of my Greek grandmothers, I sign my paintings “Cleo”, a simple (and hopefully memorable) mononym signature.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
There are two cultural norms that non-creatives struggle to understand.
The first is that creating art is effortless, like finger-painting in kindergarten.
In fact, creating art is hard work. It requires problem solving and intense concentration. Each painter grapples with the conundrum of infinite possibilities. In which direction does the artist choose to interpret her/his vision?. Unlike mathematics and physics, there is is no single correct solution.
I typically paint eight hours a day. At the end of the day, I am so mentally exhausted that I feel like I’ve run a marathon without the benefit of making me more physically fit!
The second misunderstanding is that art has no utility other than temporary decor and should be priced accordingly, like carpeting by the yard at Home Depot.
The reality is art can elevate and expand our perception of the world.. It can make our imperfect world seem more perfect and beautiful. Or conversely, make us aware of the world’s ugly truths.
I hope you buy original art that speaks to you in some way. Not solely because it matches your sofa or complies with the latest decor trend. I hope you buy art because you love it. Because art to us artists, is as essential as water (and a decent wage) is to Life.
Look closely at a painting and you will notice the artist’s fingerprints, smudges, and layers of paint the represent bold experiments and frustrating mistakes.
A work of original art contains the soul and DNA of the artist.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I wish our society offered universal basic income and healthcare for artists (and everyone else for that matter!)
The genius British fashion designer Alexander McQueen said his most productive period was when he received unemployment pay. It freed his time to him to unleash his creativity!
Contact Info:
- Website: CleoManuelKrueger.com
- Instagram: @cleokrueger
- Facebook: CleoManuelKrueger.com
- Other: SaatchiArt.com/cleokrueger
Image Credits
Copyright; Roger Krueger