Double or Nothing

Austin's most ambitious art prize doubles to join world's largest

The Contemporary Austin announced the expansion of the Suzanne Deal Booth/FLAG Art Foundation Prize.

Photo courtesy of The Contemporary Austin

When Austin art patron Suzanne Deal Booth announced in 2016 that she was creating the $100,000 Suzanne Deal Booth Art Prize, it turned an international spotlight on the local art scene. Suddenly, one of the largest prizes in the art world was not only coming from the United States, but from the heart of Texas.

On May 2, the Contemporary Austin and the FLAG Foundation announced the creation of the Suzanne Deal Booth/FLAG Art Foundation Prize, which doubles the biennial award to $200,000. In addition to cash, the prize also covers up to $600,000 in production and travel expenses and the creation of a scholarly catalog and educational programming, making it one of the most ambitious (read: largest) prizes in the art world.

Like Booth's first prize, the $200,000 will be given unrestricted (basically, no strings attached) every two years to an artist selected by an independent advisory committee. The artist will then premiere his or her show at the Contemporary Austin followed by a show at the FLAG Foundation in New York, a nonprofit exhibition space founded by Glen and Amanda Fuhrman. Together with Deal Booth, the Fuhrmans have committed to funding the new prize through at least 2026.

“Amanda and I have been interested in supporting artists through a major prize that would allow them the freedom to live and focus on creating their most ambitious work," said Glenn Fuhrman in a release. "We were inspired by what Suzanne, Louis [Grachos, executive director of the Contemporary], and the team at the Contemporary Austin accomplished with the inaugural Suzanne Deal Booth Art Prize, so rather than initiating a new award, we realized that by collaborating we could collectively create an unparalleled opportunity for the artists and institutions involved going forward.”

The Booth prize's inaugural winner, Rodney McMillian, is currently showing his newest exhibition, "Against a Civic Death," at the Contemporary's Jones Center on Congress Avenue. McMillian's work examines the social and political history of the United States to create a "discomforting social critique of American histories, injustices, and structures of power."

According to the Contemporary, the Suzanne Deal Booth/FLAG Art Foundation will announce the winner of the 2020 prize in July.

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Outside the Lines

Buda artist releases intuitive drawing book with fun prompts

Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Artist Ronald Gross creates an intuitive drawing with crayon, which he considers a "joyful" medium.

Buda-based artist and writer Ronald Gross released a book in November called Unlock Your Creativity: A Guide to Intuitive Drawing, which will walk aspiring expressers through drawing without worry. On December 6, he'll be on hand to help in an intuitive drawing demo at Buda Public Library's Holiday Open House.

The book is a hands-on guide that teaches readers how to lean into their own desires and intuitions when drawing, whether they feel like an artist or not. In this way, intuitive drawing should feel relaxing, meditative, and ultimately, beneficial for mental health. If you find coloring books relaxing and meditative, intuitive drawing may have the same effect on you.

"Intuitive drawing is the practice of creating art without a specific plan or outcome in mind," says Gross. "It’s about letting your hand move freely, guided by emotion, curiosity, or subconscious impulses; not about making something perfect."

An intuitive drawing by author and artist Ronald Gross. Intuitive drawing is simple, joyful, and according to Gross can calm the mind much like meditation. Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

This book presents exercises to access a mindful state: freeform doodling, blind contouring drawing, drawing from the imagination, and drawing from emotions. For artists feeling stuck, Gross also includes plenty of exercises for overcoming creative blocks and even discusses ways intuitive drawing can be applied to other creative projects and areas of life.

In the December workshop, Gross will give a quick demonstration on how to create an intuitive drawing using nothing but lines, shapes, and simple marks. Then participants can try it out with a variety of crayons, because crayons are "tactile" and can quickly transport people into a "playful, unselfconscious space," according to Gross.

"The workshop is all about creating a supportive, judgment-free space to explore intuitive drawing," he says. "Attendees will leave with tools to keep practicing on their own and, hopefully, a renewed sense of creativity and playfulness."

An intuitive drawing from author and artist Ronald Gross. In college Gross was taught how to take a doodle and elevate it into fine art.Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Gross's own journey into intuitive drawing started at a young age, when he would doodle and sketch throughout the school day. Years later at the Academy of Art University, a professor encouraged him to lean into this more intuitive and abstract style of art. Since then, Gross has been exploring intuitive drawing's ability to access a meditative state, as well as tap into the subconscious mind.

"When you draw intuitively, you’re fully present in the moment," Gross says. "Your mind quiets, and you become attuned to the flow of your thoughts, feelings, and physical movements. It’s akin to meditation, only instead of sitting still, you’re actively channeling your inner experience onto the page."

An intuitive drawing by author and artist Ronald Gross. Gross's intuitive drawings each evoke a different feeling through his simple use of color and linework. Photo courtesy of Ronald Gross

Gross adds that over time, doing some of the exercises included in the book may even help boost confidence, since intuitive drawing can help people learn to trust their instincts.

"Intuitive drawing can unlock creativity, reduce stress, and help people reconnect with their inner selves," he adds. "It offers a space to process emotions, spark ideas, and break free from perfectionism or overthinking."

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