Why not have a real art show at a local hair salon when the place has the right owner and a wide range of long-time customers, some of whom even drive for hours to get their hair done?

It’s been 8 years since I first stepped into Scissors Paper Rock Salon and Boutique, but I still remember every detail of my initial encounter with Yolande Carson, owner/hairdresser/stylist/musician, because of the best haircut and the attention I received from a total stranger who made my day just by doing her job at its best and a human heart that was willing to help and connect. I was new to the neighborhood and I went out with a swinging mood on a rainy day. “Cut it real short, please, I want to have a change in life.” “What happened? Are you Okay?” I smiled, instead. Not only because I don’t have the habit of talking about all things personal to anyone who is outside of my inner circle, but also because… there’s nothing serious about my life, nothing worth mentioning anyway. Sure, from time to time, there are bumps in the road here and there, but no real trouble or tragedy. And I’m also good at forgetting…

I bet all hairdressers read people well. They know when to talk, what to talk about, and when to stop. Yolande remained quiet most of the time while I kept my eyes closed to rest and enjoy my hair being treated with care and patience. It was a bit expensive for my budget at the time, but the result was worth every penny. She said: “I had a horrible haircut when I was very young, I swore to myself that one day when I am a hairdresser myself, I would give people the best haircut.” She meant it.

Over the years of knowing Yolande, I’ve seen that she’s a big helper to the ones who need her: organizing charity works through her salon before Christmas, selling her friends’ clothing lines and jewelry, and so on. When we talked about selling my paintings at her place the first time, she even mentioned that she would not take a commission. God knows what that means to artists in general. How many galleries out there, online presences included, try to make money from the often poor working community of artists by charging entry submission fees rather than making commissions from selling artworks? Fortunately I don’t have to make a living selling my art, so I never even bothered looking into such nonsense art markets. I don’t understand why galleries charge money up front instead of doing their job: selling art to enrich both the artists and themselves. Am I kidding about painters being the poorest working community? Forget about minimum wage and the possibility of making $15 an hour by 2020. I know a few artists who can easily sell 10-15 original artworks in a solo show but can’t even afford to buy a car – living in Los Angeles where everybody drives.

Not all galleries are greedy and evil of course. I had some good experiences selling through several places, such as Cactus Gallery in Eagle Rock (at its original location) and Century Books in Pasadena. But there is a disturbing trend elsewhere toward collecting money from artists whether or not the gallery or site thinks they have any chance of selling the art. It’s a scam, pure and simple, preying on creative people who want their art to be appreciated, and relying on the cliche of the “starving artist.” It’s a damaging cliche, and one I don’t buy into. Artists can reap great rewards simply from the act of creation, true, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be paid.

What is art? Art is expression of life from an individual. You live, you work, you create, and like anyone else, you want to make enough money to live a better life. Creating good art takes a lot of time, a lot of thought, a lot of work, and a lot of expensive materials. It’s very enjoyable, very hard work.

Thank God there are places like Scissors Paper Rock, whose owner knows how to respect artists. Yolande is also a musician. It takes an artist to understand an individual. I said to her, you must take commissions, a win-win solution is always the only healthy longterm relationship of any kind. And so she did, and so I have had a few art shows there and have sold different things over the years: original works, prints, art necklaces and note cards.

Please stop by the salon when you are in the neighborhood and check out their best hair salon services, shop for a unique gift item made by local artists, and view the original artworks on the wall.

 

Scissors Paper Rock Salon and Boutique
1387 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91104
(626) 791-5354
scissorspaperrocksalon.com