#Basquiat has NOTHING to do with the inspiration or the creation of this painting. BUT there is a story… An Amazing Story… NOBODY will believe:
Started From The Bottom NOW We’re here - TRUE STORY:
Yesterday, I received an email from a lady who said she had recently acquired a painting of mine entitled “Knowledge is King.” Are YOU familiar with this painting? Are YOU as a collector, art dealer Gallery familiar with the significance of this one particular painting…????
Don’t worrry, neither was the Gallery that sold it in Ohio, or the woman that bought it.
So, allow me. In 2007… a certain Nobody was feeling like a victim…a victim of racism and prejudice at work… And feeling trapped… What could I do beside complain? What would be my escape route… Im making $115,000 a year, I am Vice President Director Of Creative Services at Cossette Post, 415 Madison Avenue New York, New York… I drive a Jag… I live across the Street from Former Govenor McGreevy in a half-million dollar house…
But the boy wonder, wonders why he’s not invited to the meetings at work. Why creatives act like he couldnt be as knowledgeable about digital prepress as he was/am… And Yes haters…because I was a whiz at photoshop, Illustrator, Quark, Indesign, Flash, Lightwave, Final Cut Pro, and a host of others… AKA I was talented, hard working, and a proven track record of success but I was being treated like a….N….Nobody.
At first I whined and complained… to My Boss, Bobby Reiser… He agreed, sent an email company wide, telling everyone how bright, intelligent, and talented that I was, and that I should be included in all meetings and be mined for my brillance. Appreciated the compliment… but as you could imagine, Quite Embarassing and humiliating. Did any other key management need a public endorsement to be allowed to participate in the workflow that was their job? Ridiculous…
And to keep Complaining would be equally as ridiculous… I started drawing everyday on the way to this miserable HIgh Paying Job… And then I started giving those drawings to complete strangers…
1. That Was the first step to my Transformation, I started to get, feel respect from these strangers that I made smile… And MY employer had no control of this .
Then one night on the computer looking for ways to Sell my art, as a way to replace my indentured servitude to Cossette Post, I discovered artist Gus Fink selling on Ebay… I then discovered he did it Full time, and earned his complete income from selling on ebay… And I said to myself, if HE could do it, so could I.
Many told me, not too as ebay was filled with bottom fishers and that I would not get much for my art… But I thought if I could get at least $200 - $300 per painting to start I’d do 10 a week, and that would replace my salary… But if I had to, I would Do 100 a week,at $20… just work harder…
Well, the very first painting I auctioned on ebay…with a starting bid of $9.99 was KNOWLEDGE IS KING. To my surprise, and disappointment..the Winning bid was as i recall $29.99 Yes $29 muthafuk’n Dollars. LOL
Many would have quit. Stopped, said Fuck this… NOT me. I said okay…I will just have to work harder, paint more… And I did, I became Prolific…
And that one painting led to collectors all around the world. And this NOBODY quit his job, November 7, 2007… And was making more as a NOBODY than as a VP Somebody. And My Art and my heart was touching people, inspiring people… And taking this kid from the hood of EO aka illtown, to places he had never dreamed of.
From that one painting, and a belief that it could, damn it WOULD be more than just $29.00, that I was not defined by what was paid that day, but by this Picture I had in My head of ME as one of the baddest, most influential artists of my time. I remember telling my daughter, that “You know your dad is an Artistic Genius.” She laughed, and said, “Dad Please.” NO one and NOBODY believed in me or gave me encouragement, other than my now deceased grandparents, and a life long friend who always…ALWAYS since 5th Grade thought I really would be a great artist…
Anyway… Just wanted Joyce Barnes, The Director of Clinical and Progressive Care who recently purchased this picture, and the gallery in Port Clinton who sold it to her what they have/had… LMAO
OHhhhh…The Gallery really must not KNOW who I am… Because THEY sold this 24” x 36” original painting on plywood for…..
$225. LMAO!!!!!! Well
first…
What a Deal…Steal…
Still Quite the investment appreciation over what 6 years? You do the math. LOL
One day That Painting will be worth MILLIONS… I bet my life on it! Hell, It already is!
And That’s My Story. Started from The Bottom, Now We’re HERE. And Still aint THERE YET. - TMNK
#tmnk #artismyweapon #nobody #nobodydidit #art #streetart #contemporaryart #modernart #graffiti WARNING: before you come at me with that Basquiat and embarrass yourself, DO YOUR RESEARCH google TMNK and go to.the images TaB, I thin you will discover this NOBODY and his HE(ART) are a one-of-a-kind. #nobodyiseverywhere and #iamnotdefinedbyyourignorance
