Sharing My Love For Writing About Art and Artists

My love for writing about art and artists began as soon as I discovered the magic of words. I was four years old when I created my first six-page book with construction paper, crayons and a stapler with the help of my mother as we sat on the olive green living room carpet.

Passion for Reading
Writing grew from an early obsession for reading — especially about people, their lives, and their emotions. At the age of eight on Saturday mornings I was permitted to walk a few blocks away into town to the public library. I would sit for hours on the floor in a special corner where the psychology book section was located. I discovered Freud’s fascinating book The Interpretation of Dreams. Too young to understand everything in it I devoured it. Later I would continue my interest in psychology which has helped my career as a career coach, mentor and writer. Intuition plays an important role in connecting to the artist’s essence and intentions.

Exploring Biographies
My genuine interest in reading and writing blossomed in the 4th grade. My teacher encouraged me to explore biographies and write book reports. Albert Schweitzer, Helen Keller, and Mother Teresa topped the list of favorites. Later, Emerson, Thoreau, Dickinson, Frost, and Poe whet my appetite. With diligence and practice I became a good writer and was promoted to a special Honors English class. When my first article was published in the local newspaper at age 15 I was over the moon. In High School one of my poems appeared in a book.

First Writing Job
Fast forward, as an art student in NYC I launched an arts organization “Artopia”, organized exhibitions, and wrote the catalogues. My writing attracted the attention of the owner of a leading art publication. Bruno took me under his wing and became my mentor. He sent me out to several galleries around the city in an afternoon and I would return to write up the articles. I didn’t need to take notes due to having a kind of photographic memory. I simply sat down, recalled the images I had seen, and most importantly how the art made me feel. I considered what the artist may be trying to express.

Helping Artists
He paid me only $20 in total for several articles. It didn’t matter though because I was finally a professional writer! The thought that I was helping emerging artists get exposure was intoxicating!  Major gallery owners also liked my writing and asked me to write the introductions to their art exhibition catalogues. Those relationships gave me opportunities to introduce emerging artists to these galleries.

Launching the Manhattan Arts Publication

Later I met Harry, the Editor-in-Chief of a leading daily newspaper. We became quick friends. He was world traveled, spoke 5 languages fluently, and was an art and history aficionado. I told him about my idea to launch an art publication named Manhattan Arts International. With his help it quickly became a major voice for the arts.

Attending press galas with famous artists, art dealers, art collectors, celebrities, government officials, actors, and musicians was all part of the amenities that came with being a magazine publisher/writer.

I had the honor of interviewing such art luminaries as Andy Warhol, Judy Pfaff, Miriam Shapiro, Joan Mitchell, and dealers Leo Castelli, Holly Solomon, and Ivan Karp, to name a few. It was an exhilarating time.

Learning and Growing
Manhattan Arts International grew into a major four-color art magazine with a 50,000 circulation throughout the city, distributed in galleries, museums, newsstands, museum shops and distributed in the lobbies of upscale residential buildings. We also attracted major writers who shared our love for the arts. The magazine was published from 1983-2000. I had the distinction of being one of only two women magazine owners at the time in Manhattan.

Continuing to Promote Artists as a Curator and Author
The magazine was also a powerful platform from which I began curating art exhibitions throughout NYC including the first all women art exhibition. I was invited to give speeches in major cities in the U.S. During that time I also wrote a few books that sold through Barnes & Noble, Amazon and major museums.

In 2000 I decided to join the internet with ManhattanArts.com. Writing about art and artists there and also The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS website give me the opportunity to promote artists and help them receive global recognition beyond the printed page. It’s wonderful that I can reach thousands of people in lightening speed.

The Rewards of Sharing
A friend of mine who detests writing asked me why I love it. I think it’s more about wanting to articulate feelings I have for art and artists.  It is a powerful way to share facts, resources, knowledge and wisdom. And, every day many artists thank me for helping them. We are all part of an ever-growing family.

My Passion Continues
Since I wrote my first book at age four I have never lost my passion for reading, writing and viewing art. Those days sitting on the library floor in my special “Psychology” corner taught me a lot about “reading” people. Many artists tell me when I write about their art I am able to capture their exact intentions and the purpose behind my work and express things about them they are not able to articulate.

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