Gregg, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Since art is so unique and personal I’d have to say it’s about journey and the experiences along the way. The chiseling of life, formed my panache to let go, take the challenge and create art from within. When I engaged and committed myself to painting I received this incredible stream of positive energy flow.
It was a new sensation and, in a way, and I only came to know my deepest truth once I trusted and created art. It was almost as if I was reborn into the world. I connected to a frequency and it was so confirming. I couldn’t explain it but it was the surest thing in my life. The craziest part was that I couldn’t explain what it was and I knew it was right.
Here is some of the history that leads up to my journey at this current point. Growing up, my family and I lived on 5 Continents and in as my family was in the hotel business and we lived in large, international hotels. I was exposed to all types of design and architecture from all over the world. Once I was 18 I had received a massive infusion of culture, people and experience. I always felt my creative innovation bubbling inside me.
There was an inner voice always confirming that something greater within was arriving one day and my passion within kept confirming it to me. I was always thinking about creative ways to apply my thing to sales and business but my heart was never really 100% sold. One day corporate America become an unacceptable theory to apply to my life.
My sister Fleur who is an inspiration and artist had been visiting from Australia and we painted together.
Next thing you know, two close friends said, ” cool art, why don’t you become an artist “? So, I painted 10 paintings in 10 days as a test and now I’ve painted over 3500 paintings (1500 little gold leaf trees).
When people visit my Studio, some want to sit and write music, some have to leave with the intensity of the creative environment and some stare and stare. I am humbly grateful and love painting with anyone who comes by. It’s a gift to share my creative adventures with others.
The most common things I hear is, and Ii only say this because I humble and gratefully hear it often.
1. I’ve never seen anything like this.
2. You did all this?
3. How did you do it?
It kind of tells me I’m doing something right. I say this humbly as I really try to innovate abstract art. I am a self-taught artist and many say I go against the grain of art rules. I never knew there were any ha. All I know is I trust in my inner soul and it takes over. I close my eyes and universe guides me. I start with a canvas or a glass pane and without a plan ~ “Believe ~ Let go and Create “, is the quote that guides me when I let the passion vacuum takeover.
I hope you enjoy my grateful and humble, creative experience. I believe deeply, that everyone holds a masterpiece of creativity within their soul that is waiting to be explored and discovered.
It’s a deeper side of myself and us. I hope you enjoy my creative adventure and journey. Mostly, I hope to meet you and hear about your artistic experience or what you think of my art. Good or bad haha. Teachable is a great word that keeps the journey fresh as I venture out into new artistic adventures.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
To myself it’s all about feeling and letting go to the, “creative frequencies”. Holding on to this evolving and revolving ball of energy, I let loose on canvas, glass, wood and mirrors. Time stopes and the passion within takes over.
Many Media’s infused in my art. Light, intrigue and innovation are my goals. I’ve never copied a painting and every painting and style I have is unique. It’s a passion that’s an unexplained energy source. This vacuum takes over and 15 hours of painting can feel like an hour.
I love to make art that captures your mind in all types of light. Quite often my art works well in a black light setting, glows in the dark and captures light with textures all day…. even at night. I want the art to live and constantly take your imagination and feeling and to venture down the expanded, imaginary yellow brick road, with my art, every day.
My glass is unique. as there are two views to implement both brom the front and the reverse acrylic back. I can also put LED lighting infused, underneath for the night glow effect. Can also be in a door, table top, in your entryways, above your bed and your windows.
My Gold Leaf trees are also very popular as the golf leaf moves with the air conditioning or breeze. As people walk by the see the movement and gold leaf reacts beautifully at night and in the day. Positive energy flows all day! The Golden Tree of Inspiration also gets the LED light treatment and I’ve made them 7ft tall. With the LED option the tree glows with a soft Gold reflection, creating an aura of warm and goodness. I have a client that has a 5 ft tall one that was delivered to San Francisco and I felt lucky and appreciative knowing that people saw value in my creative adventure.
Gratefully, I’ve had the opportunity to make over 2000 original works and keep expanding with the Abstract adventure. 3D art and texture bring a whole element of ability to capture the mind’s imagination. People I’ve met along the way ask me what I call my art and I humbly smile and say, “I’m not sure perhaps GreGGariousART? This usually follows with a laugh. I would really like to work and continue to work with some furniture designers, builders and interior designers and see how my glass art would fit in their designs in doors, tables and so on. Would love to do more lobby’s and private homes as well. The journey the adventure destination unknown.
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
No Rules in Art. Believe, Let Go, create is my mantra for success. I never allow my thinking to guide my art. What my soul is in art, dictates what evolves into the creative magic on whatever platform it becomes. Try not to listen to what people tell you as far as what you want to create. To let go and create without holding back is the way to success.
I catch myself sometimes having doubt and I correct my thinking and let go and it feels good to trust and then the magic happens. Both internally and externally with your art. Also, if you want to succeed you have to hustle and get out there. I went to events where I put up 50 paintings and no one came as it was not set up and it was in a bad area. It was for the super bowl and thought it was going to work out. Either way I told myself that if I, show up regardless of the result, I am doing what I believe I needed to do. It’s almost as if there’s a commitment to my inner voice. The one that confirms daily, telling me I am on the right path and to trust in my inner energy and vision. Never give up on your dreams.
Having a purpose and remembering why I started was always important to keep my focus during the challenging times. Believe me I had many days with no food. haha. The struggle is real but the journey growing it, is so worth it.
I always had a goal is to donate a painting a day while donating 100% of the art to a different charity, daily. Lately I had a benefit for the Ronald McDonald House in Houston and donated 50% of all earnings and donating some paintings as well. I really enjoy that aspect of the arts.
When I dedicated everything to being in this field I knew there would be tough times. Never give up before the miracle. If you want it you have to motivate outside of the studio and that’s a whole different story. Just do it. Try to start with a day of dedicating and see what happens. I tell myself to do the right thing without fear and life usually works out.
I by no means mean to portray myself as a,” know it all”, haha. I just remold the direction and do my best to adjust to the daily life challenges (in the moment). while building daily, towards my goal. In the end looking back, not that I have expectation ha, just simply hopeful to inspire, continue to be inspired, empower and continue to be empowered.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Lately there has been so much going on I have had to regroup and allocate. In the near future (a few weeks) I will be set up at a New gallery here, in Houston and in Palm Beach, Florida. I am also in the middle of setting up 2 galleries in the U.A.E.
So, at the moment
Upscale Office Building on 5858 Westheimer Behind Houston’s restaurant on Westheimer – Lobby – Four ~ 5ft by 4ft paintings
Galveston ~ From the heart Gallery.
Kemah ~ Art Forum
Houston ~ Simone French Restaurant – All art.
Gateway Spa in the Museum District.
Geneva, Switzerland ~ Clovis Papon ~ International Contact Switzerland
Abu Dhabi ~ Salwa Zeidan Gallery in works
Dubai ~ Green Art Gallery in works
https://www.etsy.com/shop/GreGGariousART
Instagram – optemized_greggariousart
Facebook – Gregg Optekamp
Contact Info:
- Address: Gregg Optekamp 611 Bering Drive 408
Houston, Texas. 77057 - Website: www.greggariousart.com
- Phone: 5034210232
- Email: greggoptekamp@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/optemized_greggariousart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreGGariousartlove
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/optekamp
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