Primary Colors
Words by Jessi Devenyns Photos by Eric Morales
An Array of Mediums and Varied Perspectives are what the world appreciates in Art. But what does it really mean to support local artists?
It cannot be labeled or put in a box. However, it can be purchased, it can be adored, it can hold memories, and can become an heirloom. It can also be one’s rise of expression, a display of skillset, and be used to describe one’s place in this world.
Austin artists share their perspective on art culture and offer their insights of the evolving art scene in East Austin.
Kevin Muñoz
Painter + Graphic Designer // 10 Years
Q: How are you able to successfully pursue a career as an artist?
A: Outside of being an independent artist, I have a day job as a graphic designer at Alamo Drafthouse. I like my job; if I didn’t like what I was doing, I’d be miserable.
Q: How does an artist successfully market themselves?
A: Basically for this market, I’m just kind of doing my thing and putting my work out there. To be honest, the way I share my work is Instagram. I think most artists nowadays are sharing on there. If Instagram wasn’t around, I wouldn’t be out there as much getting views, or people wouldn’t know about my work… I don’t go to coffee shops and try to hang my work. That’s just not my style. It’s not that I’m above it or anything, it’s just not my thing.
Ryan Runcie
Painter + Muralist // 7 years
Q: Where does a young artist look for mentorship?
A: Seek mentorship from their sketchbooks first and foremost. Making art is the best teacher there is. Studying art in school and going to local art galleries, non-profit spaces, and workshops are great exposure to professional artists in lieu of having a dedicated mentor. Personally, the growth I wanted to achieve in my skill as an artist came from a constant, focused, and intentional practice much like you would expect from an aspiring gymnast. Practice makes progress.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given as an artist?
A: The best advice I have for those pursuing art as a career is to treat the practice and execution of your art as a profession. Work at your art business 40 hours a week and understand the monetary value of your art inventory. If you want this to be your full-time job, at a minimum, work at it full time. For either the professional or moonlighting artist, always strive to make yourself proud.
Moya McIntyre
Founder of Dimension Gallery + Painter // 10 Years
Q: What is the artist community like today? How has that changed from what it was like in the past?
A: There was this big influx of artists moving to the Eastside in the early 2000s through the 2010s. I don’t follow real estate demographics, but from what I understand, there are a lot of people moving out now. It doesn’t seem that East Austin is a place that’s conducive to the artist lifestyle anymore. Many artists are moving to small towns like Lockhart and Smithville, or farther out of the city center.
Q: What is the potential for financial success for artists in Austin?
A: Unfortunately, very few artists in Austin are able to make a living from their art. While there are many artists producing art in Austin, there has historically been a narrow population of buyers and collectors. Most artists in Austin have some other source of income that allows them to focus on their art. Of course, there are some artists who are able to make a significant income from their art, but if I had to estimate the percentage of thriving visual artists in Austin, it’s probably about 5%. At the end of the day, visual art is not something you study in business school or pursue for great financial gain. Artists are compelled to practice their art with or without a stream of income from it. For most artists, art is a calling.
Debbie Kizer
Painter + Founder of Imagine Art // 23 Years
Q: What is the artist community like today? How has that changed from what it was like in the past?
A: In 2006, it didn’t seem like there were a lot of formation in the arts or that people were collaborating or promoting or raising up artists in East Austin. I think the East Austin Studio Tour has made a giant effort to bring attention to artists in East Austin in particular. As a result, the artists have stood up and been more recognized and focused on their own formation. And in the last five years, the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division has done a ton of work in East Austin like mapping cultural assets in the area. It helps people identify with cultural districting and cultural activity and the economic impact of all that.
Q: What is needed for stabilization and longevity within the arts community?
A: Space, affordable space, it’s pretty giant. And with the space affordability issue being citywide, it’s an issue for art organizations and independent artists. Obviously their income has to be significantly higher in order for them to maintain and sustain their operations, whether it be their personal studio or a facility like Imagine Art. I personally think waiving tax payments for art organizations is an option. Other options might be available to either do tax waivers where privately owned businesses or owners of a property could apply for waivers if nonprofit arts were leasing their space.
Miriam Conner
Curator + Community Organizer // 9 Years
Q: How has demand for art changed as the city has grown?
A: Rather than creating outside of the box, the Austin art consumer, corporate and independent, has pigeon-holed artists into creating “common art,” making the creative artist under-funded and under-
appreciated.
Q: What advice would you give to art supporters?
A: We all must support all the arts and artists in order to keep Austin, Austin. Artists and art supporters need to value the work, time, and creative expression.
El Federico
Muralist + Graphic Designer // 15 Years
Q: What is the artist community like today? How has that changed from what it was like in the past?
A: One thing that has changed a lot, and can’t be denied, is the rising rents. It’s turning a lot of people out. It’s just a matter of affordability. The work is there, but the affordability is not.
Q: How do you as an artist develop your career in an ever-changing city dynamic and remain successful?
A: I’m personally finding out that I must maintain one foot in the mural work and the other foot in doing stuff that maintains a healthy presence in the shops, stores, and online as well. That means mugs and tee shirts, buttons, magnets, and merchandise sales.
David Santos
Sculptor + Chicano Artist // 50 Years
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given as an artist?
A: “Never do the same thing twice.” That advice was told by Vollard to Picasso, then by Picasso to Vlady who told me that in Mexico City in the ‘70s. Only paint flowers if that is your passion but never the same flower twice.
Q: What is the artist community like today? How has that changed from what it was like in the past?
A: Old Eastside Barrio Artists are not included in the new art community, for lack of lived-experience. The original Eastside Barrio Artist community is almost extinct: not much left to connect to anymore. Everything is changing… Maybe a new Eastside consciousness will rescue vanishing heritage and soul. There are a lot of wonderful new folks. Welcome, and help us pull Abuleita out from under the bus.
