How I learned to stop worrying and love the paint.

I had started painting around this time two years ago.  I did it because it got dark really early, and I was going bored out of my mind.  I had picked up sewing couple weeks prior but after 2 misshapen pillows, I withdrew my plans of being the next Betsy Ross.  

I've been a video artist since 2005.  I say 2005 because that's when I had my first show.  It was in a gallery in Helsinki called 00130gallery, a group show with many other artists and a show I couldn't attend because of the distance; but regardless my first show and the start of my video art career.  

I had never painted before other than my freshman year at Pratt.  I vaguely remember telling one of my professors that I didn't need to paint or draw because I was a filmmaker, and in filmmaking, we use cameras. 

I painted and painted and soon I had about 10 paintings that I was somewhat satisfied with.  My friend owned a coffee shop so I asked him if I can have a show and with 50 dollars or so, printed a poster and made some DIY pamphlets.  I invited some people from the neighborhood and some friends and we had ourselves an opening.

I knew I wasn't an established painter and I knew the quality of my work wasn't the best so I had priced each work relatively affordably.  The total of 10 paintings would equal $1000 and by the end of the night, the show had sold out.  

I had become a proud artist with a sold out show.  Knowing that it was mostly people that I knew who bought my work because it was cheap, I didn't take my painting career too seriously, but maybe that was the point.  Maybe because I didn't take it seriously, I was able to show it without feeling shy or worried that someone would criticize too badly.  

Maybe that was the issue with my career as a video artist, because I had cared for it too much, and walled myself from criticism and comment; I didn't fully put myself out there.  

After ten years, I had finally learned how to approach my video work.  Its just ironic that it was because I started painting.  

 photos from ilovevideo.tumblr.com

Goldmine Studios and the start of something new

We've all started blogs before and I am no exception.  I've started and closed many blogs; topics ranging from cinema to things that make me angry but this time I tell myself it will be different.  I've changed my habits over the years and learned how to focus.  Studied the masters before me and have considered not even starting a new blog.  But....  I have thought long and hard and have decided to start a new blog and link it to our site for a new gallery space we have opened up.  

Background information:

I am Bo Lee.  I am a video artist.  I went to Pratt Institute.  For the past five years, I have been in South Korea and recently opened up a gallery space, calling it Goldmine Studios.  (www.goldmine-studios.com)  The mission of this gallery space is to support emerging and new artists and promote creative growth locally.  

Reason for this blog:

I know there are plenty of blogs on art criticism.  I know there are plenty of blogs with artist's thoughts on a particular show or exhibition.  I'm not going to say this blog will be any different, but what I can say is that I hope the readers will come along with me on this ride.  I've started something new and I'm going to continue down this path for the forceable future.  There will be obstacles and many ups and downs but in the end, all I want is to learn, grow and hopefully record the information I collect.