As the most requested magazine in the industry, Art Business News stays true to its mission of reporting the latest industry news and emerging trends driving the fine art market. ABN: The art industry's news leader since 1977.
Issue link: http://artbusinessnews.epubxp.com/i/95409
CH: Location is huge for me and probably every other artist. You have to be comfort- able to think and focus on your work. I think the energy of the studio, the music you listen to and [your] location all have an eff ect on what you put out. My work instantly got better when I moved to Santa Fe... My work has more life and energy in it now. It's more colorful and dynamic. I feel better here. It's peaceful and I know I'm surrounded by the best artists and gal- leries. Santa Fe and New Mexico really do have a special creative energy. ABN:How do you defi ne success for yourself? CH: Getting to have the freedom to do what I love everyday... I just paint what I love and the paintings always seem to fi nd someone else who connects with them enough to have to have that paint- ing in their home forever. T at, to me, is success—knowing I can touch and infl u- ence someone in that way. ABN:What do you hope viewers take away from you work? CH: I hope they will see the passion and care for what I do. My goal is to create the most dynamic and interesting work that I can. By doing so, I hope they can con- nect with the work on an emotional level. Like music makes you feel. ABN:What's the best piece of advice you've ever been given? CH: "Go to Santa Fe." T at changed my life and started my career. ABN:What's the worst piece of advice you've ever been given? CH: "Create and stick with one style." How boring is that? I think every artist has a distinct brand to the way they cre- ate; you don't have to pigeonhole yourself into creating the same look over and over and over again. As an artist you should always be challenging and changing. It's what makes this exciting. Natural Melody 24" x 24" mixed media on panel ABN:What's the most surprising thing you've learned about the art world? CH: T ere are no rules. If you create amaz- ing work, your options are unlimited. I was told that it would take me 10 years to break into the art world, to get into Santa Fe. I packed up my art, knocked on doors and found a gallery that believed in me and they took me on my fi rst year. We did great and I was able to start painting full-time and get into other galleries be- cause of that... You can be anything you want in the art world if you work for it and have no fear. For more information on Cody Hooper—including information on his Evoke series, which he'll be showing throughout the southwest region—visit www.codyhooperart.com. ABN MELANIE PRAPOPOULOS @ The Miami River Art Fair BOOTH 518 ––––––– V.I.P Reception with Invite December 4, 2012, 8:00 - 11:00 PM ––––––– General Admission December 5 - 9, 2012 Texture 8 • 36 x 36 • Mixed media on canvas. 2012 Bluescapes 1 • 48 x 48 • Acrylic, glitter and metallic paint on canvas. 2012 ARTBUSINESSNEWS.COM Don Giovanni 36" x 36" mixed media on panel www.melanieprapopoulos.com 917.499.8967 25