We were lucky to catch up with Adam Cohen recently and have shared our conversation below.
Adam, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Adam, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
Finding one purpose is no easy feat. Perhaps it comes from observation. Taking notice of ones interests. And ones early passions. Like most young children I felt very lost and hadn’t a clue of what to become. At some point I became intrigued with black and white photography. I took some classes and learned how to develop prints in a dark room. That interest led to my parents sending me to a summer camp of art, horse back riding and photography. It was located in the hills of Westrern Pennsylvania. Very beautiful and inspiring environment. I befriended someone at camp who made outstanding paintings. I was so impressed by my friends dedication and seriousness about painting. His work seemed so advanced for someone so young. The thought came to me that I wanted this! I was going to become a painter. That was the beginning a a life long struggle in the visual arts. Knowing what you want to do is the start. Developing a unique vision and purpose is extremely difficult. After summer camp my friend suggested I study art with an amazing woman Lilli Marzel. To this day I see the seed thoughts she planted expressing itself 40+ years later. She said don’t be afraid of the paint! Squeeze it out of the tube. Don’t hold back! My high School had an excellent art department. My teacher suggested I paint a 50′ mural of a drawing I made. Looking back, I think it was so amazing that he encouraged me to do such a large scale painting. And it was a mural to the entrance of the School auditorium. A very public space. I bring up these few individuals for one reason. Mentors. And the importance of having support in the community. Here my interests were supported. And they pushed me forward into the unknown. After High School I continued my art studies atTyler school of art. It was so amazing to be in a school with so many wanting to be artists. There were some very strong influences at Tyler. And I reflect on some of the wisdom I first heard there. Still. What is purpose? Perhaps the experience that makes one feel fulfilled when accomplished. Is it a drive. A calling? It’s all those things to me. When I think of an artist like VanGogh. I see incredible force and drive this individual had. Almost an obsessive compulsive addiction to create. As if he’s clinging to the experience for his very survival. Yet no one liked his work. That did not stop him. I see actors and film directors. Some who are friends. They had no promise of any great success. What compels someone to fight through decades of darkness without any sign of success or recognition? What makes another quit? In my 20’s I had dreams while sleeping of creating beautiful paintings. When Id awaken I always thought. Damn! How come I cannot paint as beautifully as I see them in my dreams. My answer: Everything needs time to develop. And so many quite before they can reach that maturity in their work. Whether we like that answer or not endurance and perseverance must prevail. Nothing born out of pure joy alone. I recall such pain facing numerous failures when I started abstract painting. It was a change for me. I was not an abstract painter. In fact I hated abstract painting. And that was missing link. I was an abstract painter. I did not know. And when I connected with that part of myself. And I had my first few breakthrough moments. I started to finally see those beautiful paintings from my early dreams. I see them around my studio. Hanging in various international galleries. And in homes of collectors. And on the walls of my own house. I feel very accomplished when I create a successful painting. That internal feeling is not dependent on any person outside myself. I feel fulfilled when something extraordinary happens in the artwork. I’m a very critical person. A mediocre painting is not a fulfilling work. But where do you draw the line? Not every painting can be a masterpiece. Being an artist. A painter can only get me so far. It is not fulfilling to other areas of my existence. From a very early age of 16 I started meditating. Lilli Marzell, my art teacher of 12 years old followed a guru call Paramahansa Yogananda (autobiography of a Yogi). She introduced me to his form of meditation. And I’ve practiced that along with my painting practices. I do believe meditation and the creative process have a very close relationship. I think visions, music, invention and great thought all come out of stillness, peace and silence. I believe there is a restless seed planted deep in our consciousness. It drives us on to fulfill a purpose. A purpose or drive needs to find expression somewhere. And hopefully if will be encouraged by others along the way. And that we will give ourselves the patience and time needed to develop our unique talent.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Apart from Abstract paintings being exhibited or hanging on the walls of collectors I’m very excited about other ways art can be used. I’ve been exploring with collaborators the use of my imagery on fabric, scarves and clothing. I started working with Margarita of MilaMate on a line of cashmere and silk scarves. The results were wonderful. And I plan to find many more collaborations in fashion.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Some of the best advice I received from other artists. Introspect. Try to remember all the things that attracted you from the earliest part of your life. Did you love to scribble? were their favorite colors? What toys did you need to have? Favorite shapes like cones or spheres. Are there things you collect? If so what draws you to them. How can all these things be incorporated into you work. This is how we develop a language of our own. We can gather all the elements here. Merge it into something unique to ourself. All the bits and pieces of our authenticate interests can become the language of our present moment and future projects. I’ve know two individuals that made films for their first time. One won an academy award for his first film. The other man was nominated for an academy award. Both of them said the success of the films was not having any restrictions or rules. Not knowing what they were doing made them more experimental. The adventure of creating was coming together in a purely inventive environment. No maps. No prior experience. They said the 2nd film was harder. Because now they were copying the formulas of the first film. So keep it fresh. Keep breaking rules of your prior projects. your mind imposes things on you. Don’t let it. . Don’t be afraid to change direction if the plans of the start don’t work out. Take that leap or that risk of failure. Often times the greatest results are discovered in that leap of faith. When my painting fails I call it a background.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m always looking for a good match to collaborate. I have interests in using my art in furniture design. I have lots of visions for unique one of a kind home decor pieces. Someone who has carpentry skills or architecture experience to build would be a great partnership. Another interest is produce unique imaginitive clothing. I would collaborate with a fashion designer to use my imagery and idea. It takes so much of my time to produce paintings. I would need to collaborate to expand other creative ventures
Contact Info:
- Website: adamcohenstudio.com
- Instagram: Adam Cohen Artist
