Bill Pierce Interview
By Steve Hughes
M-CORE Media
Louisville, Kentucky

March 15, 2007

SH: For the record what is your name and organization?
BP: Bill Pierce, CEO, Radioactive Future, Inc.

SH: Out of all the art you have seen what stands out in your memory and why?
BP: Some of the coolest art I've seen was a sculpture installation by Edward Keinholtz at the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art many years ago. There were mannequins in little cottages with picture frames on their faces, and music or TV's playing inside the cottages. Everything was covered with an excessive amount of resin. Really great stuff.

SH: How do you view yourself as an Artist?
BP: I started out doing sculpture, and then moved into graphic, web and clothing design, and printmaking. I'd like to try painting at some point, but am not ready for that quite yet. I'm currently exploring how far I can go with making different products. It's a lot of fun. I view myself an entertainer when I'm curating shows, giving the public something cool and fun to do on a Saturday night. The rest of the time, I'm preparing for shows by creating my own artwork and products. The shows help me network with other artists for future shows, and find clients for my freelance projects.

SH: What keeps you going as an artist?
BP: The art business is definitely a tough business to make it in, I've had ups and downs in my career so far, but that can happen in any business. I've had my work exhibited in Tokyo, Japan; Reykjavik, Iceland; Rome and Milan, Italy; and have shown it on national television in the US. Success like this definitely keeps me motivated.

SH: Have you ever worked with an Art Agent?
BP: I haven't so far, up to this point I've done all of the things an agent would do myself. I plan on having one in the future though.

SH: What is your pet peeve when it comes to the art world?
BP: That art is a luxury item; it's not a necessity. People don't really need art hanging on their walls, but they need things like clothing and other items. That's the main reason I'm concentrating more on functional art. I'm doing a lot more t-shirts and clothing now than I used to. Next on the list are coffee mugs and mousepads.

SH: What is an artist's worst mistake?
BP: I think the worst mistake an artist can do is when they are rejected from a venue, to get discouraged or give up on the venue. It takes a relentless commitment to make it as an artist.

SH: Is there any advice you would like to give to "budding" artists?
BP: I work with mostly emerging artists and am always meeting young artists through my shows. Many of the artists I have worked with have been in their early 20's. My advice to any artist starting out is to produce as much artwork as possible, putting enough time into it to make it detailed and quality, and not rushed. Then, once they have a respectable body of work, to get exhibitions anywhere and everywhere they can to build up their show resume. Once they have done a few years of exhibiting, then they can begin to choose display venues more carefully, galleries and museums as opposed to coffee shops, restaurants, etc.

SH: How would you describe the San Diego Art Scene?
BP: I've seen a lot of changes in the San Diego art scene. It's constantly evolving. I believe it's much smaller than it should be, for a city as large as San Diego; the number of art enthusiasts and collectors seems to be really small in relation to the population. I'm sure I would find more success in a city like Los Angeles or San Francisco.

SH: Realistically what do you see for the San Diego Art Scene?
BP: I've seen it fluctuate. I'd like to see it steadily grow. I do what I can; I'm always promoting and thinking of the scene first, as opposed to my own individual art career. This has held me back in the short term, but I think it will pay off for me in the long run.

SH: What would you like to see from the San Diego Art Scene?
BP: More growth and opportunities for artists. Galleries don't seem to last long here, usually galleries that show contemporary, fresh, exciting art that I like don't last more than a year. The ones that have lasted are parts of other businesses.

SH: Is there any advice you would like to give to an artist wanting to branch out of their local community?
BP: The Internet is a great promotional tool for artists. I recommend that every artist get their own website to show their portfolio. The days of mailing slides to galleries have almost passed, very few still require these. Mostly, a gallery or curator will look at an artist's work online to choose them for a show these days. My advice is to set up a website, then start emailing galleries and curators around the country and around the world.

SH: What is Art?
BP: Art can be made by anyone, from a toddler with some crayons to an established, professional artist. The quality is subjective, depending on each individual viewer. It blows my mind that a solid blue canvas can fetch thousands of dollars, just because it was done by an established artist. In this business, it's all about name recognition.

SH: What makes Art?
BP: Art can be anything. It just takes someone considering themselves an artist to pronounce it as art. That's it.

SH: What is your muse?
BP: Insanity.

SH: As an artist are there any obstacles you feel you have had to overcome?
BP: Far too many to list here.