The St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The following article appeared in The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
October 17, 2004

Living the Artist's Life

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, by Chuck Groth
10/17/2004

Anyone who has ever sat through a semester of Art History 101 has heard this story: Vincent van Gogh, one of the most influential artists of the 19th century, sold only one painting in his lifetime. The painting went to his landlord, to settle a little issue of rent. It didn't matter how innovative or talented he was - van Gogh was a failure at the business of art. Of course, the sad irony is that after his death, others much more savvy about the business made fortunes buying and selling van Gogh's work.

To artists studying and working today, the van Gogh example is like a smoke detector going off in their ears. First stunned, then disoriented, the first impulse is to stop, drop and roll toward the cool, clean air of a safer career. But seldom is the getaway that easy. Artists find themselves (often against their better judgments) driven into, rather than away from, the danger of creative expression. Those artists turn their backs to the escape route - they are looking for a guide through the flames.

Paul Dorrell is a writer and a gallery owner in Kansas City. Both career choices have led him down difficult roads, but in "Living the Artist's Life: A Guide to Growing, Persevering and Succeeding in the Art World," he tries to merge his diverse experiences into a single, focused effort: to provide a guidebook for those entering the art field, with advice on producing, marketing and selling their art.

Dorrell founded Leopold Gallery in Kansas City in 1991, in the historic district near the old Savoy Grill. That he was able - despite mounting debts and misfortunes (art sales are difficult, and the uninsured gallery was badly damaged by a fire just a couple of years after opening) - to make good at the venture is testament to his instinct, perseverance and business sense. "Living the Artist's Life" is his attempt to inform and encourage those looking to making a life and career as a professional artist.

Most artists are receptive to guidance from someone with a better understanding of the business world. Dorrell tackles topics such as "Why on Earth Did You Choose This Profession," "How Will You Know When You're Ready to Show Publicly," "Getting into Galleries" and "Getting Paid," and he does it in a conversational, easygoing tone. Inspiration, execution, marketing and selling, dealing with successes and failures - numerous aspects of the professional fine-art world are addressed.

The times are frequent, however, that his writer's voice overtakes his artist mentor's voice, leaving the impression that Dorrell is quite enamored with his own sagacity. Somehow, every topic works its way around to a first-person tale ending with an 'I-persevered-and-triumphed-so-you-can-too' closing. But the wisdom IS often hard-won. One section starts off with, "Dope - If you haven't quit this crap already, I advise that you do. It doesn't matter if it's weed, hash, coke, ecstasy or whatever, you'll never get fully in touch with your artistic power as long as you indulge," but then follows with several tales of his own drinking.

That may be Dorrell's strength in this book. We understand that the advice is coming from a real person, warts and all, who may have shortcomings of his own but truly wants the best for readers who have chosen the "artist's life."

Dorrell writes as if he ostensibly set out to create an artists' guide when what he really wanted to write were his memoirs. "Living the Artist's Life" differs from other how-to-survive-as-an-artist books precisely because it is such a personal account; there is a lot of useful information, but it comes embedded in peripheral platitudes - perfect for those who prefer their advice coming from a well-meaning, talkative uncle rather than a reference book.

Paul Dorrell
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21
Where: Borders Books and Music, 1519 South Brentwood Boulevard
How much: Free
More info: 314-918-8189
Dorrell will also appear at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 at Barnes & Noble, 8871 Ladue Road, 314-862-6280.

"Living the Artist's Life"
By Paul Dorrell
Published by Hillstead Publishing, 173 pages, $23.95

Chuck Groth is an assistant professor of art at St. Louis Community College at Meramec.

A Guide to Growing, Persevering, and Succeeding in the Art World