My big ideas are big, because they take on a life of their own and because they typically take a large vision to see the bigger picture of what will be produced. I find in presenting big ideas what you need the most is patience and persistency.

I have presented some of these ideas and others are sitting on the back burner. Why? Because there is a battle inside myself, and the tenacity needed to move the idea forward. I truly believe art is forever. I love it mostly for that reason. Each time Andy Warhol’s art goes on exhibit he is alive again, being remembered for his talents and his processes. His portraits bring to life the people around him at that period in history making them alive again as well.

I love portraiture and feel there is so many ways in which it can be used to help, support and wake people up from a dull existence. I do not see portraits as egocentric as many might. I see it as a power of belief in oneself and a celebration of allowing oneself to be seen. I can’t say enough about the power of portraiture. Here are some ideas I had to not only promote myself as an artist, but to help tap into new markets that could possibly open doors for new revenue, jobs and services many organizations have not thought about. I believe portraiture can be a source of inspiration and story telling that will encourage others to live their passions.

I also believe that many people have what I call big ideas. But they do not act on them, because they believe they are either to big or don’t know how. The trick for me is not worrying about how and just take the natural next step. Soon the how will present itself.

Two Stikes:

This idea has been stewing in my for multiple years now. I want to create oversized portraits of successful women who are in minority. These women are strong, powerful examples that anybody can achieve personal success if they get up and go for it. To be born with a strike against you is personally maddening to me but then add being born a woman and you have two. This concept is so wild to me. A beautiful African, Asian, Cuban, Mexican (the list goes on) female baby has two strikes against her even though all she is doing is breathing. As the world progresses this is at a snails pace becoming not existent, however it is today still prevalent in our society. These portraits of large scale will provide an educational outlet for so many women that think they are stuck. It should help motivate people who have no strikes also.

My theory that art is forever will also help maintain the history of who these four front-runners are who are changing the world we live in. Plus, I love the idea of creating a coffee table book that will live on to educate and inspire so many people. An exhibition of over size portraits possibly 15’x15’ leading through a space with quick looping 15 minute interviews shown on each side of the portrait with wireless headphones, helping people understand who these amazing women are and where they came from.

 

Truth Heros:

This project would be portraits of today's LGBT leaders community. I find that the world seems obsessed with gossip and trying to figure out who is gay and how might be gay. I want to express through portraiture the people who are out and making so many changes for our generation and the many generations to come. There are so many amazing people risking their livelyhood, family and surrounding friends in order to live a life filled with truth. To stop living a life of lies is one of the most expressive, exciting and freeing acts one could ever do for one self. I really see this as a traveling exhibition and coffee table book so that many people can pick up and see the inspiration of today's Truth Heros.

 

Starbucks:

I presented Starbucks with this large passionate project in 2008. I got the idea driving across American with my move from New York to California. I used to live above a Starbucks in New York City. The customer service was amazing and so was the environment. I visited it daily and never had to wait in line or order my drink, they would have it waiting for me. I loved it so very much. As the years have progressed I still loved Starbucks, but i noticed that the customer service was dropping down and the baristas getting much younger. ( I might have just been getting older.) Anyway, I knew starbucks was big, but until I drove across country I had no idea how big. There were free standing Starbucks everywhere i looked. I visited so many of them and noticed all of them were decorated the same. They have Huge art that looked more like wall paper than art.

I got this idea of turning the art area into a promoting and profitting center for startbucks with Curry Mendes Portraits of outstanding excellence of baristas from each region. Plus giving away random portrait to faithful customers along the way. The portraits could be used obviously to decorate each space, but also could be sold on tshirts, coffee mugs and used on Coffee Cards. It was endless. I presented two rounds to startbucks and my ego was growing. Then the economy shifted and my leads went dry. I will continue to pursue this project as it would be amazing to complete and I so love coffee and starbucks.

 

Pachamama Alliance:

This organization is so wonderful and amazing that how could I not work with them. This idea came to me one morning as soon as I woke up. It was like opening your eyes to someone and all they say is "incoming" and the whole idea just popped in. This organization is 100% reliable on donations. Their donations are by kindness, gratitude and thankfulness only. While that is great that so many people love them, I know during this economic time, that fund raising with gratitude is difficult.

My idea was to create collateral for them to sell or give to their patrons. I believe out of 100 people 10% if that will give you a donation and walk away with happiness that they did that. However, there are huge numbers of people that need a thank you that can be seen. So I pitched to them a way in which portraiture would fill their banks and help more people. (isn't it all about helping people) My idea came from Gallerys and how they are now pretty much all taking 50% of sales of artwork shown in their galleries. I thought if i create a series based on the Pachamama Alliance then I could probably give 60% to them and use the 40% i receive to continue my work with many other organizations.

My idea to them was to travel to South America and photograph all the tribes they are supporting. After returning home, I would create beautiful portraits, hoping for 100 of them. Those 100 portraits can now be used as collateral for marketing, selling and giving away. Plus when people see a tshirt or a coffee mug, they ask.. " what is that?" or "Where did you get that?" so it starts marketing itsself.

Plus on a larger scale many corporations have budgets to give away money to organizations such as this one. It would be wonderful to give, lease or sell them art that could hang in their lobbies, with a plaque that says.. " We support the Pachamama Alliance." It is so clear to me, but getting people aligned with thinking NEW is one that is hard for me. I am not giving up on this project, but will try to fund the start of it myself. Not sure yet.. so it is on the back burner.

 

Design within Reach:

This idea came to me as I was thinking of ways to promote my art. I absolutely Love Love Love Love Love Design within Reach. It is my all time favorite place to look at and buy home furnishings. I know many architexture students and Interior Design students along with people who just can't afford to shop there, but love to see what beautiful things they have. Design within Reach really puts and effort forward to celebrate their designers and have images of them pretty much all over the store and website.

My idea was to show them, how they could turn a frumpy black and white photo into a dazzling creative purchase point in their stores. Selling the art itself but in fine art and poster prints, also selling mugs, t-shirts and mouse pads. It is endless how you can utilize these things. I believe it would offer so many people a way to have a design star in their home that is tasteful. I know so many design oriented people love the now icons of designers at Design within Reach. Send the Pitch never heard back . I will reapproach someday.

 

National Breast Cancer Foundation:

Creating portraits of Joy. The Joy of Living, Surviving and Overcoming Breast Cancer. This is my vision for this project. To offer beautiful Hot Pink monochormatic portraits of women who are living, surviving and overcoming breast cancer. While this would make an excellent exhibit to see so many portraits of joy, leaving the viewer feeling different out their lives, a huge book with portraits and short stories about the Joy of surviving and overcoming breast cancer would be the ultmate outcome. More lives will be touched by a book ... and finding the stories to tell would be wonderful part of this project.