Gallery Reads: A Big Important Art Book (Now with Women) by Danielle Krysa

The entire book was a joy to read. It reminded me of artists that I love, taught me of new-to-me artists, and encouraged me to pick back up my artistic practice and for all those reasons I am thankful to have read it.

Now—let’s get to 5 questions with the author, Danielle Krysa.

Liz: It’s no coincidence that I am asking you these questions while I am working in my gallery, surrounded by our show Not Your Muse, a show by female artists. You and I both know that women are working in the same numbers as male artists so the difference in sales and representation is so frustrating. What can we all do to help female artists bridge the gap?

Danielle: Buy their art, share their art online, curate their work into shows… and don’t be afraid to point out the fact that they aren’t represented fairly.

Liz: The number one question I am asked on a daily basis is how do you find your artists. So now, I’ll ask you the same—how do you find your artists? Is there something specifically that you feel like is a thread that connects these artists in your book?

Danielle: Hm. No. Sorry, not a great answer! I am just always on the hunt because for the past ten and half years I have written a daily post about a contemporary artist … I have to keep my eyes open at all times if I’m going to have a post for tomorrow. I added a submission button to my site a few years ago, and that’s been really helpful. I also spend a lot of time going down rabbit holes on Instagram and Pinterest. For example, I check out the artists I already love to see who they're following and posting about … that leads to gorgeous artwork every single time!

Liz: I want to take this time to thank you for encouraging people to create. As silly as it sounds because I am surrounded by art each day, your book was the catalyst for me to start creating art again. What do you hope is the result of your book?

Danielle: Oh, thank you so much! That is exactly what I want. I took a self-imposed fifteen year “break” because at the end of my art degree, I was told by one of my professors that I should “never paint again." Sadly, I believed him. I’ve always said, if any of my books can help just one person not feel the way I did for so long, well then, I’ve done my job. As far as the two books about women (the new one is being released on October 18, 2019!), my goal is the same, with of course the addition of shining a spotlight on as many female artists as possible. I can’t tell you how many “big important art books” I have that, on closer inspection, actually have no women in them. Seriously, no women. How is that possible? Anyway, yes, I want to use my platform and voice to inspire people to create no matter what anyone else tells them, and to bring attention to the fact that women have been creating art since the beginning of time and should be noticed, respected and celebrated.

Liz: As an artist yourself, what have you learned about your own work and process through researching these artists?

Danielle: I’ve learned that I have to make art that reflects ME … not what’s trendy, not what might sell like hotcakes, but work that reflects who I really am. All of us need to take a moment (or several moments) to truly think about what makes us unique, and then make artwork that celebrates that. If you’re weird, make weird art. If you’re quiet and poetic, make quiet and poetic art. You’re the only you there is, so own it.

Liz: You have already done so much and I love watching each of your projects come to fruition. What’s next for you? How can we support you?

Danielle: I WROTE A KIDS’ BOOK! I am ridiculously excited about this, hence the all caps. It won’t be out for another year (Fall 2020) but I hope everyone buys it for every kid they know AND for themselves. I can’t give away too much just yet, but the general gist is that it’s a book about how special it is to be an artist, and that you can totally do it… even if someone says YOU CAN'T. I’ve wanted to do this project for about four years because I noticed a pattern when talking to people at my book signings. Countless people shared stories with me about being told (usually when they were between the ages of 6 to 9) that they couldn’t be artists. WHAT? Yep, teachers who told kids they weren’t good at drawing, parents saying that art was just a silly hobby, and the list goes on from there. The saddest part is that most of those people believed the grownups in their life and stopped making art. I wrote this story in hopes that kids won’t believe that junk if they happen to encounter it. And, if they don’t run into it until art school (like me), hopefully they’ll remember that book they had as a kid and forge ahead with confidence anyway!