O M A Y ' s S T U D I O
Why Omay?
So I choose Omay's Studio to be the name of the physical space I work and sell out of in honor of one of my favorite 3 Stooges episodes.
In the episode, Tassels in the Air, Moe is the subject of mistaken identity due to a bad job of labeling doors in a hallway by Curly and Larry, followed by a conveniently timed lesson he had just given on how to speak Pig Latin. An unsuspecting woman arrives and she is looking to hire Omay the renowned artist and interior designer. She is trying to increase her social standing within her community and was referred to him by a woman from her bridge club who had highly recommended she have her mansion decorated by Omay. Because of the screwed up door labeling job in the hallway, she is misdirected into the clutches of the 3 Stooges and due to this mix-up, Moe (Omay) was offered the interior decorating job. This is timely and opportune because they have just got fired from their janitor jobs because of the shitty doorway labeling they just finished.
During the remainder of the episode they destroy the interior of a beautiful mansion with their creative stylings. Near the end of the episode the REAL Omay arrives at the mansion to discover the job being done by the 3 imposters, to which he indignantly demands to know from the bridge club lady who referred him - "Are you getting a bigger kick-back from them!" (the Stooges).
A very subtle line and sublime sub-plot wrapped in a much more distracting and low brow 20 minutes of visual and dramatic humor. Even back in the 1930's there was a concept of paying your way to fame as an artist. The absolute grossest gallery owners engage in a pay-for-play scenario where the artist is forced to fork over money up front for improved exposure, marketing, and buzz (as the 'real' Omay was doing in Tassels in the Air). This really blurs the line between what is savvy and smart marketing and what is bullshit. It implies that to be successful an artist has to pay their way with dollars up front (not necessarily through hard work and practice) to an agent or marketing entity to push their work.
Is it aggressive/smart marketing or is it self-promotion regardless of talent? Are the art buying public willing to be spoon fed what is or isn't good art by gallery owners, media, and promoters. People like art, some need to be told what is good whereas others just know - and everyone should and will feel different about each piece.
The business and promotion part of art seems like such a big step away from the actual creative process. However, I have seen some very creative advertisements and marketing campaigns that have caught my eye. Who knows what to think?
A B O U T
Thanks for checking out the website, poke around and enjoy a picture or two. Whether you are here to buy or just to look I appreciate your interest. Some pieces have notes on them, some don't. On this site I present my practice, my mistakes, and my good stuff. The website is periodically updated, come back again sometime.
Sincerely,
D.L. Smith