Robert Hollingsworth

Last Thursday Robert Hollingsworth came to visit our class. His feedback was, in my opinion, the most positive and realistic advice I've heard from any of the visitors so far.

His talk seemed to be the most personal yet applicable discussion of working with galleries that we've heard so far. He reassured us about the galleries intentions in their relationships with the artists they represent. His talk mostly focused on his reactions and feelings towards the artists who he interacted with and then putting those situations into terms of business sensibility.

His talk seemed very realistic while remaining very positive and encouraging towards everyone.

His feedback seemed right on. Everything he mentioned was to the point and well thought out.

Interview Tad Lauritzen-Wright

1 How did he start working with David Lusk
When he moved to memphis he talked to a couple of gallery owners and sent out portfolios. David Lusk showed interest and seemed to be a good dealer.

2 What are important things to look for in an art dealer?
A good art dealer: has a reach beyond the city they are in, has a fairly small number of artists, is interested in promoting the career of artists they represent

3 Has he had any issues with changing work and galleries?
He says that it really hasnt ever had any issues with that. He said it can be stressful, but the work has always gone over well.

4 How does he feel about making political works?
He has no problem with political artwork but doesnt make much of it himself. He has done some as requested by others though.

5 How does he feel about media boundaries?
he feels that everything should be wide open with no limits on the artist's ability to create.

6 His biggest advice on finding a gallery
Find a gallery which actively promotes their artists.

gallery covar leetterrings

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Trey Abraham and I am a printmaker, painter, and mixed media artist currently living in Memphis, TN. I am sending you the enclosed statement and work because I feel my work would fit in well along with the other artists represented by your gallery.

I am currently a 2012 candidate for a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the Memphis College of Art. My work has been put in the permanent collection of the SGCI and University of Florida Libraries.

My work focuses on identity politics especially the construction of identity. I am currently exploring this topic through the use of the figure mixed with textural grid based layered abstractions. The figures are often depicted in the process of preparing to go out in public

Please let me know if you would like any additional information or would like to see my work in person. Feel free to keep my resume for future reference.

Thank you for your consideration,

Trey Abraham

MFA cova lettar

To Whom It May Concern:

I am applying to the Master of Fine Arts program in Painting at the Tyler School of Art at Temple University because I feel that my work will be forced to improve drastically due to the quality of the student work and my competitive nature.

The school’s location places it comfortably close to New York and Washington D.C. On top of that, it places me very near the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s amazing collection.  The school’s fantastic facilities also would give me a great opportunity to continue to branch out into other media.

Cover letter for JOB-ISHNESS

Dear Mr. Lusk,

My name is Trey Abraham and I am interested in submitting the following resume for the art handler/preparator position for which Dwayne Butcher encouraged me to apply.

As a graduating senior from Memphis College of Art, I have had various experiences including producing my own prints, but in hanging and matting prints for exhibitions.

As I am completing my B.F.A. this May, I am looking for a career that will keep me in a community concerned with contemporary art. I would be very excited at the prospect of being able to work with the David Lusk Gallery. I have included my resume for your consideration. Please feel free to contact me at (my phone number here) with any questions. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Trey Abraham

Don Estes Show Review

On Friday, I went to Don Estes' show at the David Lusk Gallery. I had really enjoyed his work when the class did a studio visit with him. The work at the show was, as I had expected, the rest of the series of paintings we had seen during the visit.

There were two or three larger scale works, three or four medium works and about eight smaller works. The smaller works and the larger works seemed stronger than the medium sized works. It seemed like they were done more out of a need for something medium sized than anything else. That said, they were great paintings, just not as effective as the others.

The  paintings have a great mix of texture ranging from raw unprimed canvas and washes to heavily impastoed oil paint. The paintings seemed to have more textural elements added to it.
The paintings use elements of landscape and map based imagery to create abstractions

Interview

I have been trying to interview Lester Merriweather. I feel like his Q&A in class was one of the most personal talks. I was less than sure about how I felt about him after his visit. This is exactly why I want to ask him some more things. I have gotten a hold of him and he wants to meet in person rather than correspond through electronic means. Since we haven't been able to meet yet, I haven't been able to ask him anything.

I plan on asking him about:

• How art historical trends have played into the creation of his work
• what historical context he wishes to place his work into
• what obstacles has he run into in his pursuit of a career in the art world
• his figurative work often strips the skin away from figures. Is this about identity politics?
• Does he try to make political statements in his artwork?
• How do you feel about the balance of concept and aesthetic in your art
• Who has been the biggest influence on your studio practice