One of my all time favorite contemporary artists Takashi Murakami had an opening for his latest body of work on Saturday, May 3rd at Blum and Poe. I got some great advice from a new friend. Thanks Freddi!!!The advice was to stick out and make yourself be seen, to take bigger risks, and get to know other fine artists that you admire. So I gave Murakami one of my favorite vinyl art works. I gave him “Plastic Bloom”. I know that its possble that nothing will form from this right away, but who knows, he just might remember me. I think it was good for me to give something away that I loved. And to gift it to someone who has influenced my career early on. He has been and continues to be an inspiration to me. I think the fact that he saw my art up close and personal is worth more than what I could have ever possibly sold the art piece for.

Most people ask how I was able to grab his attention during the opening. The fact is that the show sold out all his pieces during the opening and he was extremely busy privately negotiating in various rooms. I saw him shaking a lot of hands and going into a lot of rooms. So I thought to myself…he is only human. He’ll have to pee at some point tonight…especially since I saw him drinking Coronas. And sure enough he went in to use the bathroom. After coming out, without hesitation I told him I wanted to give him a painting of mine because I thought he should have it. He was a bit surprised and caught off guard. I told him he was one of my art heroes and that his work had a tremendous impact on my career. And that this piece I was giving him was a piece that signified a change in my life…how I was taking more risks with my work. He almost didn’t want it because I let him know how much that piece meant to me. But I knew that in Japan it was super rude NOT to accept a gift. He did take it. I think he was stoked to have it. I hope to one day meet him again…I hope one day he comes to my opening and gifts me with something of his.

Photos were graciously taken by Amy Tierney.