We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael C. Gadlin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael C., we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
Namely that artists are business people with problem-solving skills and not just creatives. The other important part is that our industry works like any sales model and isn’t something that artists do all by themselves. It takes a team of people to make an artist successful. A professional artist will often have a gallery [storefront] that represents the artist as a creator, supplying them with the artwork. They have people on staff that run the gallery, like any business. At the end of the day, the gallery works exclusively on selling the art created by the artist. The commission usually shocks people who are not in the business- the split of a sale is 50/50.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It really started with the support from my mother to create and become an artist. I went to a top art school, though I grew up with little resources to do so. That beginning gave me a knack for opening every door needed to get to where I wanted to go. I am proud of the fact that though it was;t easy for me to maintain a successful art career with gallery representation, it took me trying everything possible to sell and have my art seen. Very few artists cross over from art hanging in cafes and restaurants to art festivals of all types to low-end and high-end galleries, to having artwork in museum collections. I’ve literally tried everything to have my art seen. Nowadays many artists already enter a career knowing what will work for their style of art and how they. want to sell. That wasn’t clear when I started. That is, knowing the level of company you need to be around for a specific level of representation and sales success. It is a clearer path now that has been made efficient allowing the artist to focus on their studio practice. There are much more opportunities for artists of many different styles to show their work and be successful. Back int the day the lines were blurred.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Send them to RiNo Arts District. The area has grown up through the years to have many restaurants with an artsy vibe. Visit Santa Fe Arts District also with plenty of local makers and eateries for the casual foodie. Go on a mural tour of the city. Don’t forget to take time to see every museum within a mile radius in the Golden Triangle. There are the usual popular spots that get plenty of press, But there are also many little special spots that don’t like the Dollhouse museum in Five-Points, the small local breweries you’ve never heard of that rest along Welton street in Five-Points. A must-see is of course stopping into MCA’s exhibit [any that is current] and finishing your visit at the rooftop cafe to get the best view of the city. Make sure it’s just as the sun is going down. you’ll get the most beautiful views and light. End your stay by visiting the greatest bookstore Denver has, the Tattered Cover at McGregor Square Downtown, and then grab ice cream inside Union station. But be sure you make your train before you get out of town.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I could not have been as successful in my profession in making art a business if I didn’t have a mentor. That person is a dear friend, artist, and mentor Darrell Anderson. Darrell, spent time with me and allowed me into his world which became a lifelong friendship. He’s been in my life for thirty-two years and counting. I met him in high school as part of a professional studies program. I will forever be indebted to Darrell. and his commitment to my growth and becoming a professional he can be proud of.

Website: michaelgadlin.com

Instagram: contemporary_vision

Linkedin: Michael C. Gadlin

Twitter: MichaelGadlin

Image Credits
Jonathan Kelley

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.