The FAW Gallery!

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The Big news this month is the new Funky Art World Gallery! I'll be opening the Gallery at 800 E. Locust St. (in the building formally known as the Vinyl Locust) early this month, and I'll be ready for Locust Street Day on June 9. I will be 'slingin yall” some funky art Eddie Davis style full-time that is off the “hisook for shizzo.”

But before this month's column turns into a personal advertisement, on with another story. Beginning Dreams Forever, 833 E. Burleigh St., is the home, studio, gallery and workshop of Artist Marina Lee. Speaking of dreams, Marina is living the dream of most artists and is making a living with her art, doing what she loves.

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She started out doing paintings from her river west home roughly ten years ago, and, along the way found a nich with brightly painted fiberglass structures, a product that appeals not only to an adult's sophisticated pallet but also brings joy to children. And Beginning Dreams Forever was born.

Her work takes many forms, from animals to dragons. She even does what she calls fantasy furniture. She constructed a computer desk shaped like a dragon for one client. She was not satisfied to just create these wonderful sculptures piecemeal, and crafted them and herself into a business—now her work is bought and sold nationally.

I caught up with Marina in her studio, hard at work. Meeting Marina was like meeting a good friend. She is a very down-to-earth artist whose passion for art rivals her love of children. With a BFA and numerous awards to her credit, she explores the possibilities of art from her river west studio.

Having a young daughter, who seems to be equally a part of Beginning Dreams, somewhat influences her style and choice of subject matter. She will tell you she does not get into producing art that is too risque. Some have even been a little critical of her art, stating that it is children's art. (If you don't know, the funky art man has a finger for those art snobs of this world and it's not the one you point with.)

I was amazed at the process her pieces go through. She typically works on a good twenty projects at once. You can walk through her studio and see a sculpture in every faze of development. During my visit, she was applying primer to some pieces encased in fiberglass. It takes about two months to complete one piece.

One of her peeves is the way some in the business community treat artists.

“Many of my customers and clients are so wonderful and I love working with them,” she begins. “The problem is that the process of applications and bidding on projects is backwards.

“They want an artist to submit a complete Ideal Drawings' and everything and at the same time feel insulted when you ask for a minimum fee,” she continues. “I don't care for that. They wouldn't go and ask an architect to do that.”

Word! Advice for those who want to try working as a freelance artist: you have to educate yourself on business. Take advantage of some of the free business seminars and things the city has to offer.

Marina has a dream within the dream she's living, and that is to create and enable Milwaukee to become more friendly to public art. That passion got her into trouble a few years back. Even though it was covered with gang graffiti the police didn't take kindly to her modifying the police call box located outside her studio. You might recall that episode. It was splashed all over the pages of a couple local newspapers.

This is the Funky Art World and I am the funky art man. Support local artists by buying local art, and don't forget to come see me Locust St. Day June 9, where I'll be unveiling the Funky Art World Gallery at 800 E. Locust St. and drawing caricatures for the people on the street.

Peace.