Struggling in New York as an Artist
08/02/2008 12:18 PM Filed in: Personal
I should`nt have post this but is not just a personal thing anymore.
I filled up this Questionnaire almost a year ago for a documentary and it didn`t get trough so today I realized that these answers are not describing just me, my dreams my goals and directions but also the questionnaire will tell you to what the Rossi Projects LLC will do in the next years what I have done in the past and who is the troubled soul behind that wont give up.
1. What’s the biggest setback you’ve had in your budding career as an artist?
At the same time by my business was falling into bankruptcy, my father was diagnosed with cancer.
2. What dreams do you have? What obstacles do you foresee? How will you handle them?
Ultimate Dreams: To live to see my artwork sold at Christies. To live as an Artist. To build my own “brand” recognized all over the world; to be the mind behind the brand. For example, Ferrari for high speed luxury cars, Picasso’s name was his brand, Armani for fashion.
Obstacles: To live as a poor, pure artist and not throw away my soul or my time. Keeping my motivation going to pursue my dreams.
I’ll handle these obstacles by trying to put myself into creative opportunities where I can make money while applying my skills, and hunting for opportunities that can allow me to move in many creative directions.
3. Complete this statement: Some people criticize me for . . . ? How do you respond?
People criticize me for working in too many directions
I respond with, I don’t want to be remembered for just one thing and any one direction.
My lifetime will be dedicated to evolving and taking on many things. This is part of my life and my creative process.
4. What keeps you going? What makes it all worthwhile?
To know that my goals are attainable and the prospect of success.
5. What special memories do you have as a child artist? Were you different from your siblings or classmates?
My most special memory was from middle school. With the help of my father, I made a huge cardboard castle with working lights all around and walls made of stucco. The memory of us working together and collaborating is very vivid.
6. When did you realize you wanted to be an artist?
In 1977, when for the first time I saw on Charles Shultz draw Charlie Brown on TV. I was 5 years old and it was like a lesson for me on how to learn to draw. It opened up a new world for me and it became my destiny, my fantasy.
7. Are you the only creative artist in your family? If no, who else in your family is creative and what do they do?
My brother, 5 years older then me, is a pianist and composer. My mother sews and use to make costume clothes for stage productions. My father was a carpenter and mason. His specialized in building custom brick ovens and fireplaces. My grandfather, on my mother’s side, was a wood carpenter and my uncle is a sculptor and wood carpenter.
8. What kinds of struggles did you face as an emerging artist? What kinds of struggles do you face on a regular basis?
Living as a creative artist, turning my skills into money and making enough revenue to keeping it all going. Other struggles include being an unspoiled artist and handling success along the way.
9. What are your hobbies?
Photography, Fishing, Cooking, Following latest technology
10. If you couldn’t be a creative artist, what would you be?
A singer
11. Who are your role models? Why?
Leonardo Da Vinci - A Renaissance man, genius and brilliant mind. After 400 years his theories and writings are still being studied and the source of his knowledge is unknown. I admire his universal knowledge and creativity as a scientist, painter, sculptor, musician, comedian, architect, and scenographer.
12. If you could have dinner with five people, living or dead, who would they be? Why?
Leonardo Da Vinci, Jesus Christ, Sharon Stone, God and the Devil
I’d bring God and the Devil together to try to make them sign an agreement over dinner that would allow both to work their differences out and help human beings live in balance with themselves, with each other and with the planet earth.
I’d ask Jesus Christ how he did it. Why, after 2000 years, his biography is still a best seller?
I’d invite Leonardo da Vinci so that I may shake his hand.
I would cook for Sharon Stone so I could tell my friends that I had a dinner with Sharon Stone.
13. Did you attend public or private school? Is one better than the other in terms of nurturing creative artists?
I attended public school in Italy.
14. Were you popular as a child? Did you have imaginary friends?
Yes, I was popular and I still have imaginary friends.
15. What’s more important to you, trust or loyalty? Why?
Trust. First of all trust. If we don`t trust each other as human beings, how can we build and handle relations long enough to discover who deserves loyalty?
16. What other forms of artistic expression do you have?
Cooking, Singing and Playing acoustic guitar.
17. What do you foresee as your contribution as a creative artist?
To bring my personal point of view and explore new expressive languages that might inspire someone else to come out with new ideas.
18. What do you foresee as your contribution to the world?
Be an inspiration for other people and hopefully better lives in some way, because I believe that one person can change many people’s lives.
19. If you could perform, paint, or create your art for three people, who would they be? Why?
Bono, Steve Jobs, Matt Groening
Bono from U2- I grew up with him and his music. He is one of very few artists that I’ve followed since I was young. His songs have formed part of the soundtrack of my life.
Matt Groening, creator of the Simpsons- He created one of the funniest cartoon characters in history, The Simpsons, and he’s given the art world a new point of view on how to story tell.
Steve Jobs, founder of Apple- For the technology that has allowed me to express, manage and develop my creativity in a professional way.
20. If you could travel to the past or future as your artist self, which would you choose? Why? Would things be the same or different as an artist?
I would travel to the past, specifically the renaissance, to learn the secret behind making a masterpiece of art. As an artist things would be the same.
21. Are there days/nights when you’ve felt like you’ve wanted to give up? If yes, what do you say or do that makes you continue?
Yes, sometimes I do have doubt on whether what I’m doing is worth it, but I do believe in faith and in luck and to Thomas Jefferson, “I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it,” which to me means that I `m on my way and now more than ever. I`m here in the USA which means it is time to work harder to pursue the American Dream for me, for my wife, my family and everyone that through time has been supporting me.
I`m a fool, a dreamer sometimes, but I’ve landed in the right place to pursue my dreams. I don`t need to pinch myself anymore. Once in awhile however when I begin loosing myself, getting too emotional, all I need to do to is get up and watch my wife smiling at me and all of it goes away. Now more then ever I wont give up.
22. Do your family, significant other, and friends support you as an artist? Do they understand your desire to be successful?
Yes they do. My wife, my parents and my friends always supported me and kept me always motivated.
23. Who has been your most troubling or difficult critic? What did you do to overcome that obstacle?
No one person, but collectively people have said that I jump around too much with my creativity. In some way they’re right, which means I should focus my energy in one direction. Maybe one day I will, but I right now I do what I do which means I`m on my way.
Daniel Rossi