I was not born an Art Star.
Not that there is anything wrong with that – it just isn’t my life.
Jeff Koons
2. Confidence
3) Daring
Myth #1 You need to be “qualified.”
Debunk#1 You need to have relationships
Myth #2 : You should set “realistic” goals.
4. The Internet
5. Maximize Strengths first, then worry about weaknesses.
6. Ignorance is Bliss
7. Persistence
8. Tell a good story.
Activity #3
9. Successful People do what unsuccessful people don't.
10. Kickstarter
Art Star has been interviewing several artists leading up to the grand opening of the Green Bandana Project Friday July 30th at the Arts Apartments in Dallas' newly renovated arts district. Consider it an update to our Clicking Around With Music series
Art Star sits down with photographer Jen Shu and talks about making it as an artist, the Dallas art scene, Lady Gaga, sticky notes and more.
Art Star: What motivates you to be an artist?
Jen Shu: The world, the people, and the creation around me...it is like a sensory overload that I try to capture in one photo or project.
Art Star: Can you tell us a little bit about your creative process?
Jen Shu: My process usually starts internally with an idea or a spark of an image in my mind, and from there I'll either write it down or immediately start thinking of how to create it. For example, on a family photo shoot, sometimes I'll get an idea in my mind, and immediately begin to make it happen. Other times, with more complex projects - I stew for hours on one thing and watch it unfold.
AS: How do you think your art has evolved over the past year?
JS: I think I've begun to really create with more of a purpose in mind....to really bring to life the ideas & creativity that is within. AND I feel that I'm starting to narrow down what I'm really good at. I'm also continuing to make sure that my CLIENTS voices & visions are heard before my own. I've really been taking the time to listen and create more and more.
AS: What's your favorite camera to use?
JS: I have recently begun using the 5D....and LOVE IT. It gives me a creative range that I've not had before...and I've only had it a month! The images are so different than all my other cameras combined!
AS: So pink is sorta your signature color, how did that come about?
JS: It was funny! When the singer Pink first came out, I dug her look, but it was not time for me to "go there". My inspiration came from a friend of a friend who had her hair a gorgeous magenta. I had felt like I wanted to go with that color for a while, and after asking her how she did it? I jumped out and did it. It has become my "normal" color ever since. I did a lot of research on the color before doing it! :) 
AS: Who do you think is (are) revolutionizing art?
JS: My FIRST inspiration was and always will be Blue Man Group. Their simplistic view on sensory overload led me to this path where my creativity began to flow. It reminds me to approach art with a child-like manner...and not take it too serious.
My 2nd and more current inspiration has been Lady Gaga. She is sensory overload on STEROIDS. She is a living, walking & breathing art piece to me. I have never been so opened to watching someone live their dream and make things happen on a regular basis, regardless if anyone understands it, SHE as an artist making it happen. (In so many ways!)
AS: I love Lady Gaga. What are your thoughts on the Dallas art scene?
JS: I think the Dallas art scene is something I am only just now exploring and getting to know. I know that from what I've seen so far, I would like to see MORE of what Dallas has to offer.
AS: Where do you stand with art as a career? Full time? Part time with a random side job? How have you been able to make it over the years? Advice for the starving artist?
JS: I was laid off from my full-time job in 2008 to become a photographer full-time. I am mostly able to do what I do with the support of my husband. To do what we do, you HAVE to be motivated, dedicated and willing to learn things you wouldn't normally learn! If you are a single (unmarried) artist - I say, if this is your calling - make it happen! Your lifestyle doesn't have to be extravagant to live your dream. If you are married or have a partner to fund you? All the better! I just encourage EVERYONE to follow their dream and do whatever it takes! It is the most fulfilling thing you will do here on earth. :)
AS: If you were a sticky note what would you be stuck to and what would it say?
JS: Ok if I were a sticky note....I would be stuck to God...and it would say..."gotcha". :)
AS:Is there anything else that you would like to tell our readers about your art or about you personally?
JS: My vision and my mission...is to inspire you, encourage you and help you to aspire to be all you can be. I attempt to express this in all the art forms that I flow in...and when I work with people. I truly am there to help you! When my budding art pieces come out in this next year, I actually hope to inspire even more than before so that what is in my heart WILL translate effectively to the eyes seeing them. You won't wanna miss it. :)
You can check out more of Jen Shu’s work here. And meet her in room 6050 at Green Bandana Project.
As a film buff and de facto cuter half of the Art Star film boys, I spend far too little time looking at music videos. With respect to Katelin's essay on Lady Gaga, I stopped paying attention somewhere between illicit nights watching BET Uncut and a confusing first impression of Tokio Hotel, which is a damn shame because some great things have been happening.
As her stagename suggests, everyone from the music, fashion, and tabloid industries are GaGa for…well, GaGa. In the recent videos for Lady GaGa’s “Telephone” and Beyonce Knowles’ “Video Phone,” the starlets of the music world have combined forces, forming two of the most trendsetting music videos today. Paying homage to Quentin Tarantino’s iconic films Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill, GaGa and Knowles epitomize Tarantino sexuality as characterized by their well-dressed, over-sexed and badass edge—lest we forget the giant yellow “Pussy Wagon.”
See that girl? That's Ke$ha. Maybe you've heard her single:
This is a new weekly column where WHayes and your commander-in-chief smartblackboy go back and forth over the sweet meats of life.
SmartBlackBoy: I can't get Lady Gaga's Paparazzi song and performance out of my head. There is a moment where she is heartbreakingly vulnerable and vacant all at the same time that makes me want to cream my pants. Seriously has there been a better mainstream pop star divette who is so alluring weird?
SBB: Fuck that. Go call your leading behavioral psychologist, take a snap shot of Lady Gaga's face right after she is done playing the piano, and right before the fake blood comes out - and ask them what emotion is on her face. Face sequencing is 98% accurate and my favorite PhD candidate said the emotion was vulnerability.
I hate how our modern world cowers behind the veil of "ambiguous subjectivity". Sure not everything is "black"and "white" but not everything is subjective either. There are rules, mores, decorum, and manners. The guy interrupting the Presidents speech was rude and should apologize for being rude. Hell Kanye West was rude and DID apologize for being rude. If a negro wants to prance around and wear white lace panties on his face - that is post-modern. Black men are allowed to be more than brute swinging dicks. They can be queer dancing dicks as well.
SBB: I think you just need to get in touch with your inner dancing queen. But if you want to talk black victimization - is Obama a victim? Is the image of Kanye West grabbing the mic from Taylor Swift the reason they hate us so much. Is the fear of being outed as a hermaphrodite the reason why Lady Gaga wore a red thong and lace onesie to the Marc Jacobs after party. (And P.S. her playing poker face was awesome....I'm youtubing it for this article). Oh and just for fun what happened to Joe Biden and Michelle Obama?
SBB: I have it on good authority that WHayes regularly entertains the idea of xxxxxxxxx. And that is the real sweet meat.
