The Best of Times , The Worst of Times

 It was the Best of Times and it was the Worst of Times. The phrase from the Dicken's novel still haunts my waking consciousness as the statement rings true to how Life IS. Even as I look back at the 80's , Life and the economy were not rosey for everyone and even though there are some that are nostalgic about Reagan there were many in the chattering class that just hated him. One man's change is another man's torment. Go figure!

 It is with this sentiment in mind that I address today's post in in a half full account. Of course, if you have taken the time to look at the image at the heading to this Blog, you will see a paint brush in a glass half filled. That's about as deep as we go here at " On Being Frank". Life and Art are about Risk at the end of the Day and regret is your enemy .... at least it's my enemy. I can't live a Life of Regret. No can do.

 I took over the Gallery this past week and became sole owner. But first I had to re negotiate the lease. There are basically 2 types of property owners . One who needs the money and the cash flow and the other who is so wealthy that even if the property were vacant it would not matter to them financially. My Landlord is the latter. Inherited Wealth can be the hardest to negotiate with. They don't need you. They are coming from a different perspective that needs to be found out. As I started my negotiations it became clear that there was a silent "Principal". I needed to find out if I could tap what the other party wanted. At the end of the day .... Each party has to access the question.... " What do I want and What is my ceiling of Comfort". The next important question is do I have all the intel ? Have I gathered all the information that will help me in negotiating a good fair deal?

 So I did my homework. I measured the property and assessed that we were paying in excess of a $1 a sq. foot. In this economy, in Auburn where there are empty retail spaces , that is toward the high end. I talked to other retailers and they were generous with the amout of rent they were paying. Since the Gallery is in Downtown with prime business traffic , the Landlord knew that he had a good investment. It was my job to negotiate a price between 75cents to $1 a sq. ft. I also found out that the Landlord had renegotiated a lower price for a Restaurant and that he was leasing another of his properties ,  3500 sq. ft. for 50 cents a sq. ft. .

 When I told him I wanted to come in at $75 cents he went from being cordial to highly agitated. In fact he became downright indignant that he could rent the place for the original price. I stayed calm, even while he stood up to leave, I told him I wanted to be a part of Auburn's community and that Auburn needed a good art gallery. He replied that he could care less about Auburn and my Art Gallery. At this point , I remained calm even though I sensed that the negotiation was in the throws of blowing up and melting down at the same atomic rate. I asked him to reconsider and work with me. I told him I was willing to sign a years lease , which was a big risk on my part.... considering that the economy was so bad. I said... Look around... it's pretty bad out there. So I then held my cards tough... You go think about what I have said and let's talk tomorrow. He said he would talk with his "Principal" and get back with me. That " Principal" I heard liked art even though the negotiator did not. Were they going to risk having an empty space and risk another unknown renter?

 As he left I was sweating. What the hell did I just do? I saw myself being rejected and all the work that I had put into the Gallery go up in smoke.

 As a wise man kinda told me in so many words ... you gotta give respect ( Kiss the Ring ) but don't grovel and be confident and firm ( don't kiss the ass ). At the end, even if they don't agree with you they will respect you.

 He called me a couple days later and agreed to my terms.

 This is a Demo I did for the Placer Arts League. The oldest Art Association in Auburn. I painted for an hour and then took the group of about 20+ to my Gallery down the street.

 Udo, photographed me as I painted from a photo of him . I would have liked to have painted him live.... but since he is a student , I thought it was best he should see me sculpt the head in front of his eyes.

 People ask me, what do you like better.... painting live or painting from a photo. I actually like painting from both. Painting from life gives me a spontaneity that I find hard to duplicate from a photo ... but on the other hand ... I approach painting from the photo as if I was painting from Life. After I take a photo ... I look CAREFULLY where the color is reproduced well as opposed to where the color may be off.

 So here is the wrap. NOW is the time to start a business! Landlords are WILLING to come down in price! But Fear is your greatest enemy. Cast it out of your mind. You must be strong and courageous.

 I can't tell you how many people and contacts I have made being on the street. My guest sign up sheet is several pages deep now. Those are valuable contacts for my mailing list. I ask all Gallery shoppers what they are looking for and what they like. That kind of intel is Gold.

Anyway ... my slouched back is killing me and my next post ... will be about reading people ...... for good pointers start watching the TV drama " Lie to Me". You'll learn alot.

 Of course CHRISTAFARI was awesome at Rock of Ages music festival on Oct 2. This Christian reggae band really does it for me.

 Newsboys were the featured band and they were probably the tightest Christian Pop Rock band that I have heard in a long time. The sound system was phenomenal.

 At the end of the day , I get a nice freebie typeface effect on my studio wall. Its a nice feeling.

 Juan Pena is seen below painting last Sunday at the Placer Farm Tour. I did a painting of him painting. I was in... well ... sorta bad shape that Sunday..... let's just say I enjoyed the Wine and Food a wee bit too much on Saturday. If it was not for the fact that I was advertized as one of the featured artists .... I would have stayed home . A gal said she saw that I was going to be there and that that was one of the reasons why she came. She said she loved my work and asked me why I chose a certain angle on the first of 2 paintings I did that day. I said I liked the light. She said ... I really like your work but I would not buy that! Frankly Lady .... I don't ..... be nice Frank ..... that's all folks.

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