The Sexy Ladies of Veaux: "Madame" Ilana G, CEO Savannah Spirit, Cailla Quinn & Diana Assil
What do you get when you mix “promiscuous girls,” sexy women and emerging artists? Introducing the newest online artists and photographer portfolio and service directory—Veaux
There’s a new cowboy in town and her name is Veaux.
Last night I met Savannah Spirit, CEO, Creative Director and Co-founder of Veaux, the newest player in the online artists and photographer portfolio and service directory. Along with a myriad other established sources including workbook, blackbook, lebook, dripbook, atedge, altpick, viisual, and PDN’s photoserve, her service offers photographers, other artists and buyers a place to meet, mingle and make deals.
I had a chance to speak at length with Ms. Spirit who was celebrating the opening of her gallery and an exhibition of emerging artists.
My immediate first impression of Savannah is that she holds true to her name, because not only does she effuse genuine verve, but she’s also got high-energy spunk and just enough sass, that makes you want to know more. Hence, the following ad-hoc interview.
Tell me about Veaux, what does the name mean?
Veaux doesn’t mean anything in English, but in French it means “veal.” So, Veaux in a sense is a market for “fresh meat,” which of course, is merely a metaphor for new and emerging creative talent.
Do you speak French?
Un petite peu…voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir?
Wow, you move fast. You’re really hungry for a good write up aren’t cha?
(She laughs) Of course, you know I’m only kidding (she winks). I’m married and my protective big brother, Luther, is standing right behind you. He just arrived from LA a few months ago.
To keep you in check presumably?
(Savannah merely smiles)
How did you get started? Where did you emanate from? Why New York and how did you get here?
Well, I was born a valley girl in LA, and then I went on to be a fashion photographer in in Santa Fe and Portland for 13 years. Although I’m 33 now, I recently went back to school and received a BFA from Parsons. As you might imagine, I felt like grandma amongst all the teens and twenty year olds.
Anyway, as part of my senior thesis I was supposed to create a magazine that showcased artists. I soon discovered that launching a magazine took a lot of money, so launching Veaux online became the cheaper, perhaps better, alternative.
The site runs by charging the member artists a nominal service fee. I’m working toward getting advertisers, so that eventually the service will be free to our members.
Right now we have 300 member artists from around the world, who all have to submit their portfolios to qualify, which are judged by a panel of professionals. Ultimately, if they are accepted they are put into one of four categories: graphic design, illustration, fine arts and photography.
Veaux not only offers prospective buyers a place to find qualified talent, but it also offers members a place to co-mingle and collaborate. Via Veaux I’m trying to establish an international art collective of sorts.
Launching an online service that taps into the world of artists out there makes a lot of sense—there’s an overwhelming pool of talent to pick from, technology enables you to have a global reach, and presumably its an inexpensive endeavor, relatively speaking. However, launching a brick-and-mortar gallery, in Chelsea of all places, at the same time, in this climate, takes some balls. Care to explain your thinking on this one?
Well, first of all I had to have a real place where I could showcase my artists and in my opinion there’s no better place than New York City. Secondly, although things are moving toward Brooklyn, I feel that the heart of the art community will remain in Chelsea, and Veaux will be the pulse.
I just came from another opening around the corner and it was absolutely empty, yet you’ve got a full house here tonight. I’ve also noticed that you have a room full of attractive woman. How did you achieve this?
Well, it so happens that I’ve got a team of sexy women working for me.
First and foremost, there’s Heather Louise Eagle, an actress, the wine girl and my bitch. (We both laugh, Heather half laughs) Although she is only a volunteer tonight, she’s actually been one of my best friends since second grade.
There's Cailla Quinn
—our resident firecracker, the communications director, my right hand (wo)man, as well as the gallery director.
We’ve also got Diana Assil, our visual director, who arranges a lot of our promo and works out of Los Angeles. She’s also a graphic designer, painter and a photographer.
And then there’s the ever-alluring Ilana G, who is a photographer and the Madame of the art world, because she offers “promiscuous girls.”
Ilana, do you care to elaborate on what you offer?
Promiscuous Girls is actually photography project which I just exhibited recently showcasing 14 different women in erotic poses. It is a combination of fine art and fashion, more ‘portraity’ than anything. The purpose of the project is to both exploit sexual stereotypes and showcase the sexual power of women.
Savannah, any last words?
Despite the economy, I think this is an exciting time for the arts. With a new president in place, I’m proud to be an American again.
I wholly agree with Savannah. Read more about her and my thoughts on this matter here:
Transcending Consciousness and Beyond by Savannah Spirit
Now, There is Hope by Lorenzo
For more information:
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Artists & Photographers
Mark Kessell
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Curators & Dealers
Bonni Benrubi
Howard Greenberg
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