Living the Artist's Life (Paperback)

~ Paul Dorrell (Author), Greg Michalson (Editor) "I am a gallery owner and art consultant, as I have been since 1991..." (more)
Key Phrases: potential collectors, art consultant, New York, Kansas City, Jim Brothers (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An important resource for artists, and others, who believe in the value of their vision." -- Steve Whitten, Director, Career Services, Rhode Island School of Design

"Paul Dorrell's entertaining, insightful book helps emerging artists every step of the way." -- Edie Pistolesi, Ph.D., Professor of Art, California State University, Northridge

"This book is a ‘must read’ for striving artists, collectors, and gallery personnel." -- Ralph White, Painter, Professor Emeritus, University of Texas at Austin

"An important resource for artists, and others, who believe in the value of their vision." -- Steve Whitten, Director, Career Services, Rhode Island School of Design<br /><br />"Paul Dorrell's entertaining, insightful book helps emerging artists every step of the way." -- Edie Pistolesi, Ph.D., Professor of Art, California State University, Northridge<br /><br />"This book is a ‘must read’ for striving artists, collectors, and gallery personnel." -- Ralph White, Painter, Professor Emeritus, University of Texas at Austin<br /><br />A frank and honest book about what it's like to make (and not make) it in the art world -- The Artist's Magazine<br /><br />A fun and engaging read, Living the Artist's Life includes plenty of anecdotes from Dorrell's life that entertain. -- Gambit Weekly -- New Orleans<br /><br />Anyone embarking on the mysterious and typically unguided journey of being an artist will find a compassionate guide in Dorrell -- Fiber Arts Magazine<br /><br />Living the Artist's Life, chronicles Dorrell's own struggles to get published and to make a living as an art dealer -- Associated Press<br /><br />Offers a frank and inspiring look at all aspects of the artist's life, from the creative and emotional challenges... --Literary Critics

A frank and honest book about what it's like to make (and not make) it in the art world -- The Artist's Magazine

A fun and engaging read, Living the Artist's Life includes plenty of anecdotes from Dorrell's life that entertain. -- Gambit Weekly -- New Orleans

Anyone embarking on the mysterious and typically unguided journey of being an artist will find a compassionate guide in Dorrell -- Fiber Arts Magazine

Living the Artist's Life, chronicles Dorrell's own struggles to get published and to make a living as an art dealer -- Associated Press

Offers a frank and inspiring look at all aspects of the artist's life, from the creative and emotional challenges... -- Hartford Courant

Paul Dorrell knows firsthand that the artist's life is not an easy one. Dorrell, who lives in Kansas City, Mo., is the founder of Leopold Gallery there. During his career, he spent time in the Hartford area, working as an assistant to the director of the Hill-Stead Museum and for the Hepburn family. He helped arrange the acquisition of a statue of Mark Twain for the Hartford Public Library in 1995. He's also a writer and will make several presentations in the area this week to promote his 2004 book, "Living the Artist's Life: A Guide to Growing, Persevering and Succeeding in the Art World" (Hillstead Publishing, $23.95). The book, part memoir and part guidebook, offers a frank and inspiring look at all aspects of the artist's life, from the creative and emotional challenges to the nuts-and-bolts of the arts business, including marketing and dealing with galleries and designers. --Hartford Courant

Paul's book is a heartfelt, experienced walk through the art world from the point of view of a living, breathing, passionate human being who happens to be a writer and an art dealer. The book is "this-took-guts honest" and will, I believe, bring healing to many artists who make wary (or worse) assumptions about "all art dealers." --Art Calendar Magazine

Product Description

Written in a conversational tone that resonates with energy and wisdom, Living The Artist’s Life is a unique work. Drawing on a lifetime of experience, Paul Dorrell touches on virtually every aspect of what it is like to be an artist—which is to embark on a journey without maps. He has made that journey, and has drawn many maps.

Relying on passion, sage advice, and a host of enlightening anecdotes, Dorrell keeps you engaged through each chapter. Whether instructing on how to photograph your work and get it into a gallery; or whether discussing subjects such as inspiration and self-doubt, Dorrell knows his ground. He also relates the rigors of his own galleryÂ’s shaky start, his failures, his successes, and his dealings with New York agents and publishers, Dorrell being a novelist as well as an art dealer. Regardless of your discipline, you will benefit from the real-life guidance of this work.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 174 pages
• Publisher: Hillstead Publishing; 2nd (2005) edition (April 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0974955205
• ISBN-13: 978-0974955209
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #408,554 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Tool for Fine Artists, January 11, 2005

By	Philip Koch "Professor of Fine Art, Maryland ... (Baltimore, MD) - See all my reviews

Paul Dorrell has written a remarkable book aimed at artists. He has empathy for the artist as he himself is a writer who knows full well the emotional toll of working for years unknown and in isolation. And he is open about the struggles he endured in starting an art gallery and keeping its doors open. Artists, who face a pack of their own challenges, need to become aware of the hurdles facing art dealers.

The book contains useful, practical advice for the visual artist, but its greatest value is in how it humanizes the image of the art dealer. For so many younger artists the art dealer seems often an impossibly mysterious and difficult figure. Dorrell's book brings the artist reader a far more understandable picture. He writes a lively and insightful, often painfully funny tale.And he shares both the pleasures and the pain and vulnerability of those of living in the art world. I think any artist who reads the book will have a much easier time relating to the dealer as whole person. And as a partner in the delicate business of helping people become collectors of the arist's work. This is no small thing! An important book, and a fun read.

Philip Koch
Professor of Fine Art
Maryland Institute College of Art

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Accurate Insight Into the Mind of an Artist, September 7, 2005

By	Karen Mangold (Bandera, TX USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When I picked this book out at the bookstore, I could tell it would be a practical, valuable tool for marketing my artwork. However, I had no idea that the author so thoroughly understood what goes on in the life/mind of an artist. I literally could not put it down until I had read it all. Every artist should include this book in their library.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wise and Impassioned, August 1, 2005

By	JGB (Petaluma, CA) - See all my reviews

Just finished reading "Living the Artist's Life," enjoying every page. Dorrell's inspirations and spirituality, the way he covers the challenges of both the aesthetic and business journey that artists must travel, while still trying to maintain balance as we love those who have chosen to travel with us. For some people this is a superhuman task, especially as we try to succeed in such a difficult field. But Dorrell's experiences, and the resulting guidance he dispenses, makes it all seem possible. Well done!