MY STORY
The first time I ever sold my artwork to the public was at age 9. My father took me down to Venice Beach, where on the boardwalk many struggling artists sell their work. He helped me set up a little table to exhibit abstract pieces along with a few of these new gun paintings I had created. Right away it was obvious, the gun pieces were catching people’s attention. Young people walking by would yell “check it out” or “tight”. Even Adults were commending the 9 year old version of myself for the thoughts and dialogue my pieces were invoking. I remember feeling excited that complete strangers were interested in my artwork, not just a friend of my family. It was an amazing day I’ll just never forget.
For the next 2 years I made art and exhibited as much as I could. At the same time I studied different artists; when I found one I really loved I’d try to bring their style into one of my pieces as a commemoration.
My favorite artists are the ones who worked hard to be original and different. I really love Jean Micheal Basquiat, Mark Rothko, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol. They all had hard times before they found their success, and their artwork was always new and original. That means everything. I know that being different is challenging and for that I really respect these artists.
Yucaipa-Gun, Charles Gitnick
At the beginning I had no money to put into making my art. The replica guns I’d use were the cheapest I could find, and I’d source frames in the trash at framing shops. I was 10 years old and would get very upset with my pieces constantly falling apart. I’d be fixing them up while putting them out on my display table at a show. So, the first thing I did when I got some money from selling art was, buy well made replica guns and partner with a framer to assemble my artwork so it lasts indefinitely. Now it’s quality made artwork and my collectors get something that will last.
When the Sandy Hook shooting happened in 2012 I was 10. It felt scary and as if it happened right here in Los Angeles or even at the elementary school just down the street from my house. I didn’t want to make my gun artwork ever again. I thought people would think I was uncaring about what happened or that I supported the violence. So I stopped making art. I had been making art everyday. I was really sad. I had a lot of questions about these unimaginable tragedies that really do happen. My parents talked with me and taught me that as an artist when something like that happens it’s not the time to back away; it’s the time to get out and show your work. It’s the moment to get people to talk about it and make change. This way my art could have an effect; and that’s exactly what happened: I started to make my art again and right away I began receiving media attention in newspapers and on TV. People were seeing my work and hearing my message and they talked to each other about this issue; often right in front of my display; and it was only because they happened to see my art. The power of that feeling has propelled me to continue to make art to this day.
Though my styles have evolved and I’ve taken on other social issues, my dedication to art has solidified. Through art we can unite. And United we can beat any social ill. I’m happy that art works this way and proud to be an artist.
Black & White Issue, Charles Gitnick
By the age of 12 I had shown my art multiple times in Venice on the Boardwalk and in West Hollywood. But my dream had always been to make and sell my art in New York City, the center of contemporary art of all my heroes, especially Basquiat and Warhol. My parents helped me save up for the trip. I prepared materials; canvases and replica guns, to make art in NYC. I wanted to be a working New York City artist. My family and I went to New York the next year, but only my completed artworks I brought with me were allowed into the state. I couldn’t make my art in NYC because toy or replica guns were banned. Although I was disappointed I couldn’t legally make my art in NYC, I developed a new appreciation for my street artist idols like Banksy, Retna and others who work outside legal boundaries.
I was a child. I thought nobody in NYC, where they see great art daily, was going to buy my art. I was selling in SoHo on the street. It was cold. The wind would push my pieces to the ground and break them. It was difficult to find a bathroom. But I was on West Broadway with all the other artists and I was excited. I didn’t go a day without selling. My booth was literally swarmed with interest.
In New York I learned a lot about Jean Michel Basquiat. What I like most about him is not just his art but who he was. He was a grown up artist who made art the way I first started to make art and the way I fell in Love with art. Just doing what you want and putting onto the canvas what you’re thinking of right then. You know there is a lot going on in a Basquiat and that’s because there’s a lot he’s thinking and putting into the canvas and for me it’s great that I see that as an adult artist I don’t have to do things in art differently than I do now. I can do whatever in art that I want and I feel Basquiat helped make that possible for me.
Since that first day selling in Venice on the Boardwalk I’ve sold well over 100 pieces of art and my prices have risen. I’ve made commissions and sold art and had shows all over the U.S. and Canada, Italy, Australia, Monaco, Columbia and Switzerland where I was represented at just 16. I’ve been interviewed many times. They are all posted to my “Videos” page. And now, I sell indoors with an actual roof, air conditioning and….a bathroom! I’m grateful for your support that got me here.