Her Story
About Colette
I've been an artist for over 30 years, and my work spans painting, drawing, photography, and filmmaking. I don't limit myself to one medium - instead, I've expanded my palette over the years, choosing whatever medium best serves the project I'm working on. I studied fine art painting at Central St. Martin's in London, and I was really fortunate because I was able to sell quite a lot of my work from my degree show, which established me at a time where I could go and work in the studio full-time. I later completed my master's at San Francisco Art Institute, and I'm currently writing my PhD dissertation. My daily practice is disciplined and consistent. I start my mornings with film and photography work on the computer, then move into drawing and painting in the afternoon. Even when I don't have a specific project, I make myself draw every day in my sketchbook. I believe that even when you think you're not doing anything, you're doing something - you'll come back to it later and find value. The most important thing is to just keep doing it, to keep yourself back in your stride. I was on the board of the Center for Sex and Culture in San Francisco for about 6 years, and I'm connected to CCA where I'll be doing a talk in February in New York on the role of AI in eroticism.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Colette
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to tenacity, strength of character, and good humor. The art world is very precarious and very tough, and there are times when you just think, is this worth it? But you have to keep going. It's about staying focused and continuing to do what is right for you - keep painting, keep drawing, and that will help you on your path. It sounds like a cliche, but it's true. You need that tenacity to push through the difficult times.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was just keep going. The art world is very precarious and very tough and hard, and there are times when you just think, is this worth it? But the advice was to just keep on, keep focused, keep on doing what is right for you, keep on doing, keep painting, keep drawing, and that will help you on your path. It sounds a bit of a cliche, but it is true. You have to maintain that momentum and discipline, even when things are difficult.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the art world is to ignore the naysayers. Just believe in yourself and stride confidently. Don't be put off, and I hate to say it, but with the whole men thing - be confident in your decisions and your choices. Don't let anybody, particularly men, put you down. You need to trust yourself and move forward with confidence in what you're doing.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in the art world are that it's very difficult to break into - it can take years and years. You'll get more rejections than anything else, and that's just the reality. However, each rejection is actually an opportunity to keep going. Those rejections will turn into opportunities as long as you believe in yourself. And once those opportunities open up, it only takes one person. Even if it's someone at a show who says they really like your work and wants to buy something or invite you to another exhibition - it only takes one person, and that lifts your whole confidence up and attracts more opportunities.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are my family and discipline. My family keeps me grounded, which is really important when dealing with the art world. And with my art, it's discipline - being disciplined in my practice. I think that's really important to maintain consistency and keep moving forward in my work.
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