A Panel Discussion moderated by the new Art Academy President — Joe Girandola and AAC student Caroline Bell. This event was transformational to students that are trying to understand what a future of Art looks like. I took it very seriously. Some of the thinking goes that the Art Academy is all about Fine Art; but the educational process is much more about enabling creative intelligence to cope with the rapidly changing world.
Panelist included:
- Damien Hoskins Vice President, Arts Impact at ArtsWave
- Sam McCormick Poet
- David Michael Butler Visual Arts
- Simone Yale Performance Art
- Me: Radha Lakshmi Visual Artist & Ritual Artist
Discussions were limited to an hour and difficult to offer valuable insights in short snippets. But the Art Academy did have us fill out a questionnaire that was the basis of introspection that drove succinctly answers. Here are my Q&As:
Life After Art School questions and Answers
Getting to Know You
Tell us your name, your favorite work of art, and something that makes you laugh?
My name is Radha Lakshmi, Artist Raja Ravi Varma, his painting of Hindu Gods and Goddesses from Kerala, India and my grandchildren.
What led you to the arts? Where have you studied, and what did you study? What are you doing now?
My paternal grandmother was very creative and a fantastic storyteller, and through her, I studied daily ritual art form passed down from mother to daughter for 1000years and called Mandalas or Kolams. After high school, I began studying visual art in the early 1970s at the Government College of Arts, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Within a year, I was married, and my husband then wanted me to discontinue as I was pregnant with our first child. Fast forward, a divorce and another marriage, and we came to the US in 1987 with my two kids from my first marriage.
We moved from Arizona to Cincinnati as my then my ex was hired to teach at UC at the Business School. There I had the opportunity to take many art classes at DAAP. In 1993, Mr. Palaniappan, printmaker and a friend of my mine from India during my undergraduate days, was invited to do his art Residency at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. I was so excited to meet him after so many years being here in Cincinnati. Met Anthony Batchelor, a printmaking professor at the Art Academy, who had invited Palanipan, and at that meeting, I decided to finish my undergraduate degree at the Art Academy. Best two years of my art life at the Academy. I then went on to get an MFA in Printmaking at the University of WI, Madison. Now I have come full Circle.
Right now, I am a Community artist teaching and sharing and sharing my ephemeral art, teaching the community to create Sacred Spaces and Storytelling.
Leaving School
What was the biggest stereotype/misconception you discovered after art school?
Each misconception is different and unique to that artist. In India, my family was unhappy that I wanted to pursue a degree as an artist. Women were homemakers, and men were providers. Art was a hobby. Misconception after school, that it was hard to make money to feed yourself and your family.
What were the first couple of months after graduation like?
Really difficult. I could not find a teaching job at a University.
How did you restructure your daily routines after graduation?
I rented a studio and created art, Contacted galleries, got in touch with the artist community.
How can artists maintain realistic expectations under pressure from family and peers?
It is was very hard. Both my exes did not understand why I wanted to get my degree in art. I did it under colossal pressure and completed my MFA in two years. Realistic expectations is to continue to paint and be part of the Artistic community
How do you handle talking about what you do as an artist to the general population?
Pretty good.I have a story for all of my work. I love the way I have evolved as an artist. I talk to everyone and everyone. I talk too much.
What advice do you have for students thinking about pursuing graduate school?
Do not take student loans. If I had a choice, I would have worked part-time and taken my time to pursue my Graduate degree.
The Artist Entrepreneur
What advice do you have for the artist/entrepreneur?
Work hard, follow your passion, and ask for help.
What are the most important things to consider when you are selling your art?
Storytelling and genuine passion for art.
How are you doing this? Where is the money coming from?
It took a very long time for the money to come in and still taking a long time. But when the money comes in it such a satisfaction to know that the community likes my work.
What financial strategies have you employed to support yourselves?
By Teaching, Artist reaching classrooms through museums, Art residencies and Art Institutions in Cincinnati, Galleries.
How do you get your work out there? How do you get your work shown?
Through websites and Blogs, Social media and galleries
What struggles have you had along the way?
Two Divorces.
“The hustle” of life in the arts is different for everyone, but what has it looked like for You?
It kills the creative spirit. I have learned through my Ephemeral artworks that letting go and less attachment to your artwork is the best way to deal with the hustle of life in the arts.
Can you talk about the challenges of “hustle culture” and how you have navigated them?
After graduation, I sold very few works of art. I had to learn to do other things that were not all about my art. I applied for Artist Residencies. I connected with organizations like Artists Reaching Class Rooms in Cincinnati. After my second divorce, I traveled to Australia and collaborated with Indigenous artists. I taught in India for three years at Srishti School of Art and Design in Bangalore. I started creating meaningful art.
Having a support system in your community and very good friends.
How have you dealt with rejection?
Oh, yes, indeed. It was difficult at first, and then the rejection motivated me to push myself even more. As the saying goes, ‘If one door closes another door opens. I have been very blessed with the synchronicities in my life and paying attention to those magical moments.
Well, buyers do not want to pay you the money you deserve for your art. They want to donate your at for a cause. I go through Galleries who will sell my work for the price I want.
What kept has kept you going in the hard times?
My family and friends
Moving Forward
How do you stay motivated and creative?
Talk to my friends who smoke pot.
Life is a journey. It is about reinventing yourself constantly. I have so many passions to stay motivated. I love taking care of my grandchildren. I love to cook. I love to create art. I love to host parties. I love bringing people into our homes. I am so excited to hear their stories and share my food.
What has exceeded your expectations?
Honestly, it is with my Life Partner, Joel Mellon. He is my motivator and supportive in everything I do.
What are your plans for your future in the arts?
Keep breathing
In your opinion, what are the essential qualities you need to succeed as a career in the Arts?
Will to starve
What has surprised you in your career?
The cost of framing
How do you stay open to new and different opportunities you might not expect?
Go to art openings
We talk a lot about saying yes, but how do you know when to say no?
Wisdom of aging. Time is running out.
In your opinion, what is changing about a career in the arts?
Millennials have ruined all.
Is there anything you wish someone had told you?
Take up engineering.