How to Be an Artist: A Conversation with Jerry Saltz and Michael Rips

A lively and interactive presentation featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning art critic Jerry Saltz in conversation with The Art Students League's Executive Director Michael Rips originally aired on our Facebook Live.
For more about Jerry's Talk:
www.theartstudentsleague.org/...
Explore The League's Online Fine Art Classes:
www.theartstudentsleague.org/...
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[@mimishapiro3568]

Wonderful! Thank you so much - love Jerry and his wisdom!

[@mr_mr]

Jerry is so amazing. We need his insight, reminders of what is important, guidance and encouragement.

[@tumblingrosesstudio]

I love Jerry Saltz, he's a blessing. Have bought one of Mr. Rips books, too. He is a hero. Thank you for filming and sharing this outside the ASL. You, too, are a blessing.

[@brookegreenwald4878]

Thank you for your warmth and welcoming spirit!

[@laurawalker6431]

Jerry is great, he represents some parts of the art world that wants to understand art his way, and admits he is not the only way, he is trying to say he could be wrong and could be right, and for someone who has never studied art could understand art just as well as anyone in the industry. Like a boxer in the ring, he has a natural talent for the game in the industry just like any other art, sport, or career, he happens to deliver his intelligence towards the art industry because he enjoys the system even if he makes no profit from it… hence well respected for his passion and talent in the industry, talk the talk but also love the jargon that goes with it, including conceptual philosophy. He would be just as good if he became a medical doctor or an astronaut etc! He is brave and intelligently humble with it, he agrees that he could be wrong…If I may add that, wouldn’t it be even greater if he doesn’t have to put himself down at times, but humble in a way that he has all the knowledge and integrity to own his knowledge without excusing himself or that he could be wrong in his opinion or trend in the art world as an art critic, hence he received the prize award, he chose to be in the profession and enjoying it despite its flaws, contradictions, and confusions in the art industry...hence his explanation are valid as we embrace him with open arms…

[@khamsonesirimanivong881]

This was such an amazing, insightful and entertaining interview. Both are incredible personalities!

[@susand484]

Thank you! I have not made art in many years but am determined to begin again because of , well for many reasons, but using my voice is primary. I am always making something. I am weird and I would rather be in a workshop than a normal house. The other day I realized that I had lived in a culture that was ideal for "facing the headwinds" as you put it. Surrounded by about 250 artists, in Pilsen in Chicago. It was my heart. It was the only audience I cared about. Still is. So I am in the process of connecting with some of those artists and I'll see what I can do. Scary, but at 75 I would like to put my head and heart back in Pilsen, making art. I had to leave 24 years ago. Listening to you is like being there. Of course it's not the same now. But not having artists in my life is forever painful. Fellow weirdos, conversations like this. The constant question ¨Are you working?¨ You are absolutely right.

[@janahargarten6774]

Thank you so much for this talk.

[@audreybell1175]

Fabulous interview. Invigorating and helpful. Found my tribe! What a relief.

[@yvettearmstrong4724]

I've enjoyed the classes I've taken, and am enjoying hearing your guidance. Thanks!

[@badgershill1]

Wonderful! Thank you!

[@joecalabresi4072]

Thanks for this interview

[@pr1me840]

I hate how America has highjacked art and what art is. Jerry Saltz contradicts himself more than a beehive has holes. Maybe less reading of post-modern fatalistic dribble. I am glad there's someone like Jerry in the art world, he is a great conversation started and this will lead to more opportunities.

[@TomDavidMcCauley]

Michael Rips is an incredible writer. Pasquale’s Nose and The Face of a Naked Lady are actual masterpieces

[@innocentgray7918]

Jerry you have inspired me to make art abstract as ever you have given me confidence in painting so thank you for your kind words to all artists

[@papoarchitecture]

שלום ג׳רי Very enlightening conversation, I really enjoyed this interview as it is timely and inspiring for me making a life changing move at the age of 60 to concentrate on Art and Design. However as visually oriented as I am writing is an integral part of my process of making. Thanks 🙏

[@sharonw1475]

Excellent interview.

[@michaelbuchanan3212]

Art Student's League is a great school!

[@artnexplorationstudio4489]

How interesting to hear Jerry Saltz....so authentic, so candid and matter of fact.

[@suzannedesylva3805]

So wonderful. I have read the book 5 times. When I finish it I start at the beginning again.

[@DJSTOEK]

I 💘 this guy

[@BEasay]

Great talk

[@fabiolaladino5705]

An interested conversation.

[@fionaheeran8970]

Yes

[@itsjustchristina7796]

🎉this is gr8

[@DJSTOEK]

🖤

[@vanessaclark3754]

I'd so love a book please. Am I too late? X

[@fromthepeanutgallery1084]

Kincaid is a genius. Amazing artist. On par with Klee, Malevich and all the greats.

[@talinetemizian]

Superb

[@jazw4649]

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.” -Theodore Roosevelt Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

[@subliminalart.1637]

Jerry should continue painting as therapy. Just bought his new book, Art is Life, Brilliant. Jerry's book, How to be an artist, is by bible, always by my side.😁😁😁🙏🇬🇧

[@anthonygrillo6109]

Can one be taught on how to be an artist ?

[@fromthepeanutgallery1084]

Yes. Human beings are like apes, we can mimic anything. Even how to be an artist.

[@angelinecatteeuw]

You can be strengthened in your suspicions that you are, in fact, an artist and gain confidence in your work.

[@walterbebirian6590]

I lack demons -

[@arielschleicher6114]

Has anyone ever told Michael Rips that he looks like john turturro?

[@maxabeles]

public square + art + festival is da future /// bring creativity back to ancient ritual, art orbiting around religion or the occult again, not the capitalist marketplace.

[@walterbebirian6590]

there is no accounting for taste

[@cchemmes5831]

While I still extend thanks, I had to change my premature comment of only praise to the following: Do you really feel you are in a position to make a blanket judgement against people of faith, that what they believe is not real? I have seen proof/ empirical evidence, through miracles with daily Bible devotions, for 20 years, amazingly, consistently matching the content of very precise, specific prayers prayed before reading, finding a very real reason to believe. In your world faith may be nothing more than a matter of personal opinion, but you are then ignorant of a world of people out there who have had spiritual experiences that go beyond personal opinion, to being informed by experiences beyond that level. Have you seen testimonies online, such as near death experiences, like 'Heaven is for Real,' or Dr. Mary Neal or Dean Braxton, who have stories giving an element of proof of something happening beyond the physical body, when they saw themselves leave it, outside the body, like an outside observer, & travel to a new place, & next saw heaven & even heard prophecies of future things that came true (like Dr. Mary Neal's son's death). Or people with accounts of miracles, in many books written on this matter; which I personally have also experienced, saving my life from a fatal car crash, going beyond ideas in my head. Coming out of an environment of such severe abuse that it was destroying everything about my whole life, & trying every solution possible for healing that our world offers today, the only thing that brought true transformation was a spiritual awakening, where I came to know the hope God provides, the promise of new life, the joy & peace & hope He offered that replaced severe anxiety, & worse. You have no clue of the truth of what you are talking about. I will never understand an art critic who speaks about all such things he knows nothing about when he sees 30 art shows per week that he could reap & share wisdom from. Blessings & love anyways.

[@cchemmes5831]

I heard a good parable on this matter one time, with the idea of 'gold in China.' To be able to make the claim, there is 'no gold in China,' one would need ability to search every last bit of China to make that claim. To make the claim there is gold in China, one would need only to find one instance where it is true. I have seen that one instance & more that my Christian faith is true, & have zero doubt Jerry Saltz is the one in an illusion despite believing it is the other way around.

[@huayapam]

Point taken. Any 53 year old artists out there who want to talk? Any critics who want to write nonsensical things about me? Sobres! (jeanfoss.com)

[@ewmagency]

Definitely one horse-sized duck

[@axismundi8]

As Jerry says, he's not an artist so don't listen to him. Stick to being true to ourselves in our communities and if we can't make a living through our work, find a side hustle.

[@AB.926]

1 hour of wasted time listening to Jerry talk about nothing!