I've come to realize that that old saying "It's not always
what you know, but who you know," is spot on. Even at American Artist magazine. Luckily, "we"
know a lot of people, and as a result we have remarkable access to some of the
greatest artists and works of art out there. And that's not even counting the
dozens of emails I receive each day inviting me to openings at galleries and
museums throughout the country.
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Studio Incamminati's program, Face to Face, brings children with craniofacial conditions and artists together for portrait painting sessions with the goal of inspiring the kids to love themselves just as they are.
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Really, as an art lover, there's not much to
complain about. I have a fairly unique opportunity to interact with some of the
most important art-makers working today. Considering that, it may be surprising
to learn that the opportunity to see some of the most impactful artwork I've
ever encountered has come, not through my connections at
American Artist magazine
, but through my connections at home.
My wife works in the healthcare industry, and several times
over the past few years, she's brought to my attention a disease foundation or
support group using artwork or teaching art techniques to help bring awareness to their cause; help fund raise; or help patients deal with their often debilitating illnesses.
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| This acrylic painting--titled Smile--was created by Riley Ellenberger, a 10-year old suffering from Tuberous Sclerosis Complex, a genetic disorder that causes non-cancerous tumors to form in vital organs throughout the body. He created this painting for the "Art for a Cure" exhibition put together by the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance. He called his painting Smile, because, as he says, "No matter what comes my way, I smile." |
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Art
shows and auctions are the most common examples, and in many of the cases, the
artists are children. As part of their treatment or recovery, they create art to help
express how their illness makes them feel, or show that they have hope that
they will get better. I'm sure no one would claim that they possessed
master-level
oil painting techniques or know
how to draw with professional skill, but you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone claiming their
artwork was any less of a masterpiece.
It's stuff like this that keeps me passionate about art,
even after working at the magazine for nearly a decade. It's, maybe, the best example
of the impact art can have on someone's life. If a 10-year old dealing with something like
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex can't inspire you by painting a smile, because that's how
he's decided to face his illness, then I don't know what would.
--Brian
Brian Riley
Managing Editor, American Artist magazine