"Bubele, you are not making bombs here-it is just art"

16 x 16 encaustic Lpressman

Still on the subject of influences, I was thinking about artists that I know or have known personally who have the ability to help my work grow and change. One teacher comes to mind quite often and I repeat his advice to my students every time I teach and occasionally to myself when I am fussing around on my work.
Jake Grossberg, sculptor, was trying to show me something with Plaster of Paris and I was very hesitant and timid. He looked at me and in his Jewish grandfather way said

"Bubele, you are not making bombs here-it is just art"

Later after I had graduated he was encouraging me to go around NY with my work and I told him I wasn't ready.

His words were "Do you think you will ever think you are ready? He suggested that I think of promoting my work like I was selling salami's. Some people like salami, some don't."

He taught me to separate my work from myself and get into a different mind set when promoting......invaluable advice. Thanks, Jake