What is an artist?

How pompous to tell you what an artist is. I can provide my opinion, i.e., why I am an artist. Creativity is the essence of art, and I believe the reason it draws some of us is because we resonate with a universe that is constantly creating something new. Every real artist I know will speak reverently about “being in the flow” where time vanishes. Yesterday, I began a painting at 1PM and the next thing I knew it was 5PM. The flow is timeless. The universe is timeless. It has no clock. It just IS and we are an integral part of the universe–which continually and constantly creatively develops, connects, and balances itself.

I feel I fit in my skin when I am in alignment with that process. My avenues are contantly problem-solving via the medium of painting, writing, and playing with light.

I have been creating visual art since 1961. But, I wrote, directed and starred in both the 7th and 8th grade class plays. I also admit that I was the only one that kissed the leading lady on stage, and was the last one to dramatically die in mid-stage. 7th was a Western. 8th was a science fiction. It was basically the same script. It was ceramics that grabbed me in college. I was hooked. I convinced the art instructor to parse the two 3 credit ceramics courses in six 1-credits so I could be in the studio constantly legitimately. But I also admit I would hide in the supply closet until security locked the building at 6PM so I could continue to work into the morning hours.

I began painting late. I sold my first painting in 2007, and was named Wisconsin Artist of the Year in 2012. I had a knack. I started and managed two art co-ops…then went big-time with a gallery on State Street in Madison, Wisconsin. Right. Then I went big-time almost into bankruptcy. I knew NOTHING about the art business. I know a lot more today, but frankly prefer doing the art…what artist doesn’t?

Reality strikes, however, and to sell art is the only alternative to stacking dozens of canvases to rot in your basement and garage. So, here we are, opening another gallery – Shore Road Gallery – in beautiful Northport, in beautiful Maine. We have spent a great deal of time and money to convert a 3-car garage into a state of the art gallery. It will open in late Spring of 2026. Until then, enjoy the gallery online, please.

Questions? Anthony@ShoreRoadGallery.com