Omnia Caelum Studios started in Miami, Florida, June of 2003. That year I exhibited professionally for the first time in a gallery in Istanbul, Turkey. I did not think my paintings would go too far and I knew nothing about Turkey or about their culture. Much less did I know about their likes and dislikes when it came to choosing or collecting paintings. All I knew was that I would be a foreign artist, a European artist coming from the United States who painted bright, colourful scenes of jazz, dancers, movement and bodies, many bodies… But the show went very, very good for me. I sold three paintings out of the five I exhibited and it helped me to establish my presence overseas.
I came back to Miami (my home base at the time) and I started working on a new project. I chose Manhattan. Of course, New York, exhibiting in the Big Apple is obviously the dream of many artists and I was a dreamer. So I headed off north on the Interstate 95 in my Jeep Cherokee with ten paintings, the largest ones I had painted at the time. I had negotiated a contract with a gallery in Brooklyn which was also owned by a Turk, and I had been given a one moth show. The show went well but I did not sell…
So I stayed in New York. I moved my show to SoHo to a gallery called Amsterdam-Whitney and I exhibited there for 15 days. The vernissage was an authentic blast. One of the artists, it was a mixed show, was the wife of actor Christopher Walken and he was at the opening. One of the other guests was the «Prince of Darkness» a rather intriguing character who dressed like an English Lord but with a kilt. I kept looking at him wondering if it was true, that he really was a vampire. I sold one large and very expensive painting during that show, but it helped me establish my presence and I met many people.
I had a third New York exhibition in that year at the New World Gallery, also in SoHo. I only exhibited four large paintings but I did sell one of them…
In any event my experiences abroad gave me many ideas and when I returned to Miami I set my eyes on the developing local scene. This landed me a spot at the coveted «Cultural Fridays» events sponsored by the city of Miami. I presented my work and was selected artist of the month (October) in 2005. That year I searched and found new ways to express my painting and digital work…
Little by little, at times and with giant steps other times, the perfect combination of fast and slow, I started to develop my talent, (through hard work) and my abilities to create. I started to make something of my university education. I recall one of my professors who said that now that we were graduating we should forget all the academic learning and just go out there and create. I took that to heart…
I have to say that life as a working artist for me has been (and certainly still is) a rewarding endeavour and a lot of fun. And one of the best perks is travelling and sailing…
CHEERS
JaZzArt en València 
You’re a fortunate man to have the lifestyle you have Francesc. I won’t say lucky because you’ve made your own luck by earning it.
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Thank you Malc. Yes, I did pay my dues back in the late 90’s and early 2000’s as an emerging artist, and lone wolf, (because my fine arts degree came from the Theatre Department at uni, not FIne Arts). I carried my paintings in the back of my Cherokee SUV to art fairs around Florida (while still working in the police department). I travelled wherever I had to to exhibit, I exhibited in restaurants and bars, and worked continually. One of the galleries that represented me took my work to Art Basel Miami Beach and things began to explote and my art and art business grew. Now things are much easier. I do not exhibit in any of those events or places any more. I have, thankfully, many collectors throughout Europe and I sell online. Once a year I exhibit in one of the museums of my city, and perhaps a few other shows if I am invited. It has been a long road, but a fun one. All the best to you my friend.
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Thanks for the extra info my friend.
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You’re welcome Malc. Have a great Friday evening!
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Have a great weekend
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Thanks Malc, you too.
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All this talk of «overnight success»? In truth lots of hard work. A labor of love, but work none the less.
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Absolutely. In those days I would pack up my Cherokee Jeep and travel to all the art fairs in Florida, I would exhibit anywhere and everywhere they would let me, and at the same time I was working the afternoon shift in the police and doing three days of High School teaching advanced Italian. It took a lot of effort and work and I painted every day, sometimes working on two paintings at the same time, looing for collectors, enticing galleries, and learning Art History as well as keeping up by reading 5 newspapers every morning. If you do not work hard and learn hard, you will not get anywhere. Now things are much easier the die was cast and life now. Thank you Espie and all the best.
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And well-earned continued success to you!
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Thank you my friend, and all the best to you!
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SPLENDENTE GIORNATA
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Ma certo Giovanni, una splendente giornata anche a te. Saluti
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😉
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So beautiful and colourful 🙂 xx
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Thank you so much Aiva!
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