This weekend I spent a lot of time at an artist's studio organizing drawers and folders and closets full of his work. Many of you know that along with my own films and photography, I also sell art for two different artists. I've known these artists since I was a child and they have often stepped into a father figure role for me. I felt the urge to pay them back for this by helping them with their digital footprints. Both of them being older, neither one felt confident with the Internet and still struggle to do things like text.🤷🏽 Growing up, I heard stories about the art industry, with their managers taking ridiculous percentages, taking art that they would never see again or get paid for, hundreds of prints being made and sold without their knowledge. I told them they could make their own websites and take control of their own sales. So, I helped them make websites. For a while I helped them with things like Facebook and Instagram. I make a reasonable percentage from whatever they sell, and they control everything how they want, including numbers and what's available to show and not.

I've mentioned that I work with them before, but I haven't gone into much detail about them or their work. Rudy Cole is a Panamanian artist with diabetes who does 3D paper collages as well as photorealistic charcoal drawings. I will make a separate post for him another day.

Today let's talk about Adrian Wong Shue. Adrian is a world-renowned artist, painter, and sculptor who has been working since the '70s, developing different styles in medium and subject matter through the decades but landing squarely in a style uniquely his own. Many of his figurative works and Greek mythology pieces became wildly popular in the 80s and 90s. In November 2022, Adrian had an emergency health crisis. He underwent surgery, has been in and out of ICU, and is now undergoing physical and occupational therapy on his way to recovery. It has been an exhaustive experience, and he still has a long road to recovery.

This weekend I went over to his studio in an attempt to organize what he had as well as find some pieces that have soid and get them ready to be shipped off. I was amazed by the sheer amount of stuff he has. Every wall covered, every drawer full, pieces that even I haven't seen, just sitting there waiting for their "forever homes." The question is, though, if I haven't seen them before -- and they've never been shown in public -- how does that artwork sell?! I aim to go back and photograph everything, measure and detail, with the goal of documenting and selling these on his website! Quite the task in front of me with hundreds, if not thousands, of pieces ready to be seen by the world!

I make this note with a couple purposes in mind.

1. To raise an a awareness about a wonderful artist who has had it rough the last couple years.

2. To get you to look at his website, browse, share, and maybe find something you or a friend or loved one might like. Today I sold a beautiful gouache from 2006 to a gentleman in Illinois who purchased it as a gift for his wife's birthday.

3. If this story touched you and you feel like reaching out to help, please feel free to take a look at both his website and his GoFundMe. I know Adrian's spirits are continually boosted by the well wishes of his fans, friends, and family.