Be on the look out when you are in LA and you’ll see my works in a local boutique! Currently, I have teamed up with ma+39 on Beverly Boulevard to display “In the Flow“. This is an acrylic on canvas original from 2022, at 32″x47”. Contact me for exclusive pricing or additional information.
My artistic journey has been continuing in 2022, all while so much goes on in the rest of life. I am proud and thankful to share a couple of the larger current events.
Shari Alec, the founder of Curative Collection, is pleased to be headlining the No Boundaries exhibit in the UBS Westlake Village (Westlake Village, CA) presented by UBS and the Arts Council of Conejo Valley. In this exhibit which runs May 2, 2022 – August 30, 2022, Shari is excited to be showing a mix of new and iconic paintings. Her new pieces reflect her continued growth and experimentation, while staying true to her unique sense of translating life and emotion to art.
Curative Collection has completed another successful art development project! From sourcing to installation, Shari’s unique aesthetics and forward thinking were utilized. As always, the goal at Curative Collection was to visually enhance the space. In this case, the commercial space has 3 boldly tinted glass entryways (red, blue, and green) which set the stage for the balance needed with the selection of the artwork in color and style. It was a great opportunity and Shari is very pleased with the enhancement she was able to bring.
Thank you for being on this journey with me. I’ve said this before and it’s worth repeating. Do what makes you smile, and make other people smile. This can only happen when you truly believe in yourself and work hard for what you want.
Sotheby’s Art Institute; Art as a Global Business
I am forever grateful for the honor of working with some of the greatest talents out there. The energy will continue to flow in the most beautiful collaboration.
Soon you will meet these beautiful artists that have entrusted me with these incredible works of art.
Shari Alec
There I was in the middle of selling my place, thinking about what I was going to for the rest of my life.
It was January 2020, and I knew it was time for a change.
I wanted to pursue a career in art full time. Let me tell you, it was scary AF to admit.
I have been an artist all of my life, with quite the entrepreneurial spirit. When I graduated film school, some called me a “sell-out” for deciding to go into marketing full time instead of pursuing a career making independent films in Los Angeles. The struggle is real: an artist is creative, imaginative, sees everything through a lens; but then, there’s that little voice saying: “Go big or go home.”
Well, I wanted to go home…and we sold! Yes, smack in the middle of the pandemic. The universe guided me many months prior, telling me to honor my highest good, which I did. And I had to put every part of me into it. One foot in each camp did not feed my soul.
The beauty of it was that I met with some amazing people several months before the pandemic who showed me the way. It was all of me tied up in a little blue box: art, business, design, and collaborating with other artists. A higher force ensured that I stay the course.
I added a little bit of thyme and oregano to the mix, and voila, The Curative Collection was born! I was graciously gifted with something that would allow me the freedom to create and capture moments forever. But there was still something missing. Giving back.
I learned a lot this past year, and although I always gave back, I am determined more than ever to bring awareness to those in need, and pay it forward. To that end, I will be turning this beautiful adventure into something bigger that will benefit four of my favorite charities. This makes me happy.
Do what makes you smile, and make other people smile. This can only happen when you truly believe in yourself and work hard for what you want.
It has been quite a time—a time of fear, hope, sadness, love, and change. They say change is a good thing.
Well, I don’t know who “they” are and why “they” say it, but here’s what I’ve gleaned:
You have to learn the rules so you know how to break them.
I learned art history, how to paint a perfect bowl of fruit, and stared at the Mona Lisa for hours – THE FIRST TIME! I can’t say this was a decision, but I gravitated towards abstract art. Later, I worked with a professor of fine arts and learned how to draw figures, which has become a deep passion.
So where does the change come in? When you get that call from a collaborator who asks you to do chess pieces, chandeliers, and flowers, you take a beat. He said: “Do them your way.” So, I said YES, of course.
The world is in disarray and simple chess pieces are throwing me for a loop. I must have stared at a piece of charcoal and a blank piece of paper for 3 hours. I took a deep breath and bumped out 25 variations of chess pieces, chandeliers, and flowers, MY WAY, per his request.
Someone very dear to me said that I even make flowers look sexy. I don’t know about that, but I learned that being a true artist means being true to yourself, and most of the time we can, but the landlord of this studio isn’t going to take two goats and a cow for payment this month.
A little secret? I am obsessed with these chess pieces. I find myself doodling them on napkins, on magazines, even in my thoughts. And best of all, I rose to the occasion.
I lost myself through the years. I had the same amazing clientele who loved my work, and still does, but I stopped creating. I was repeating. What a difference now. My abstracts have been bigger and brighter, even more defined.
I am currently residing in Los Angeles, but really could be anywhere, except I can’t fully leave the house.
As an artist, the past 10 months has given me a lot of time without distraction, to get more creative (if you can keep your TV, computer, and news alerts on your phone off – not possible). I have shifted my business model, created several new series of pretty great art, picked up some very cool artists, and by far the best part has been connecting with other people in and out of the art world. I have met the most fascinating people (virtually) and found that when we are all in the “stillness” we talk more – real conversations about life, our future, what we have learned, and what we all really want. At the end of the day, the commonality we share is that we want love: creative, professional, interpersonal.
I’ve discovered the art community is quite small, and we really have each other’s backs. The things I miss most during this period are tight hugs, seeing my friends and family whenever I want, and travel. I miss experiencing other countries and cultures. But while we’re sheltering-in-place, we can still support each other.
I cherish people I have chosen to be a part of my life – good, kind, loving people. It’s important to try and stay above the noise (and there has been a lot of noise). Kindness and love will always prevail, and the smallest gesture of goodwill especially goes very far, especially right now.
I can’t imagine doing anything else in my life, but what we’re doing at the Curative Collection–creating, collaborating, and giving back to people in need—has taken my passion and profession to another level. It’s been so inspiring to hear the excitement in people’s voices when I ask if they’re onboard to help. They’re so grateful, so am I. That is by far the greatest gift the Curative Collection gives me: knowing we’re there for each other!
It’s true, “All You Need is Love”. Thank you, Mr. Lennon.
