Customer Reviews

Living the Artist's Life

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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

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.

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!

I'm an established artist in NM. After reading this book, I was amazed at the simple, step by step instructions on "how to become a professional painter" available in one quick read. Paul Dorrell removes so many fears, by giving you a procedure to follow. If only,I had read this years ago! Not only does he explain the need for resumes, portfolios, bios, etc....but he gives examples of each.
I believe it should be required reading in Art School.

Maybe some will be turned off by his personal story, but I found it made him more credible.

Since reading this book, I've reccomened it to all my artist friends..
Penny Dillon

I surprised myself by readng Dorrell's book in almost one sitting. It was compelling largely due to the fact that he shared details of his own life which makes him seem approachable and the information he shares more accessible. Books of this nature can be ponderous but his is not. I not only learned tons but feel I have spent a day with a friend who dares to be real. I am a developing artist and now feel it is at least possible to find some level of success from reading this book. Also, his thoughts on the sometimes snobby ways of those involved in "art" were refreshing. He seems one cool dude and this was one cool read.

Early in October of this year - 2005 - I signed up for an evening workshop "Living the Artist's Life" run by Paul Dorrell. Sounded interesting, it did, though I hadn't heard of either Dorrell, or his book, before. The workshop was cancelled at the last minute - defeated by LA traffic, I suspect. Feeling I had missed out on something valuable, on a whim I ordered "Living the Artist's Life" from Amazon.

Wow! Gosh darn! Woolly sheep! One of them, right-information-at-the-right-time synchro-niceties!

Instead of the usual headspace-based, academicesque discussion of a mythical/historical/hysterical, arty-typical "artist"; the book is "simply" a candid, passionate, beautifully written, internal/external, no punches pulled, emotional, stone-cold sober, sunny winter's day clear, recounting of his own continuing/evolving journey as a writer/novelist, artist's rep, husband, father, and gallery owner.

Lots of signposts along his path were/are direct messages, possibilities, and "next steps" for me.

So, my companions on this path, during the next "weak moment" - you know the ones I mean - fill some of the empty space with this recommended/necessary/welcome read. The artist's life isn't an easy one, and Dorrell won't suggest otherwise, but he will show you its not impossible.

I've read through "Living the Artist's Life" three times within the past three weeks and I still keep the book within easy reach.

Stan Friedman, fine art photographer

Paul's book is written with style and humor. This career we've chosen is not an easy one, and this book gives practical advice and "insider information" about how to deal with critics, rejection and snobbery. He doesn't dwell on the negative, but gives inspiration and great advice on how to be succesful as an artist.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. After reading many different marketing books in the past years, this one has a human aspect to it that others do not. It is an enjoyable read, with novel aspects. It gives insight into the author's personal story and a window into the gallery owner's issues. There is great advice and samples of the "how to's" of marketing an art career. It provides good ideas and examples for working a career that has no real rules to "making it". It acknowledges hard work and perseverence as a necessity to being "successful".

I have read this book twice and now use it as a research and reference guide. As an artist 'living the artist's life' this book has been a gold mine of information, dos and don'ts, and general reference for any artist out there trying to make a living from his/her craft. Paul Dorrell is a writer and gallery owner and his life's experiences and struggles are meshed into the life's of many artists.

This book deserves the attention of all artists: writers, painters, performers who are all out there trying to make it. It was comforting on one hand to know there are many like myself taking the same directions, and yet a little scary to know others have gone the same paths as I have.

Any artist full of doubts, depressions, rejections, and wondering where they go from here; read this book and use it as your daily bible. This is the greatist book I could ever read as an artist and an individual trying to succeed in the oh so diificult world of art.

Good book - at its best where he narrates his own personal travails as a gallery owner, promoter of artists' work, and an aspiring writer - held my interest even though my own bent is more directed to the field of creative writing (though for myself I work - happily - in the world of financial services on Wall Street: got tired of the geography of my existence being defined by the distance from my hand to my mouth) and I would certainly recommend it to the attention of any one working in or attempting to break into the world of the visual arts. There are some very instructive chapters providing practical advice and encouragement on how to best to represent oneself in this world and words of advice on what to do/ what not to do. It took a couple of chapters for me to warm up to it but his narrative flows fairly smoothly thereafter and, as mentioned, engaged me most with his personal narrative. Strong recommendation to anybody interested in the visual arts, aspiring to work in that world or, for that matter, those already engaged in efforts to promote themselves and their work.