Are You Always Seeking Mentors?

Let’s not sugarcoat it: the world today is chaotic. The creative field is being pulled under by a current of instability—that is economic, political, and emotional. Artists, gallerists, and cultural leaders are facing relentless waves of distress, distraction, and nervous tension. The psychological toll is real. The financial challenges are escalating. Entire generations are navigating crisis for the first time, and the rules are being rewritten daily. But let’s be clear—this is not the first time artists have struggled. It has never been easy. It’s just harder now. Programs are slashed. Safety nets are disappearing. But people make it through. And we will again.

Now is not the time to wait. Now is the time to act.

When I was younger, I thought finding a mentor would be easy. I imagined it would arrive with formality and clarity—an open door, a wise figure, a blueprint handed down. But that was a myth. Mentorship doesn’t arrive gift-wrapped. It must be sought with focus, humility, and resolve.

I grew up watching my father, Isa Barnett, an artist who placed integrity and craftsmanship above all else. He had teachers, yes—but he was often his own fiercest critic, his own compass. He didn’t wait for answers; he found them. From him, I learned that mentorship isn’t always a person. Sometimes it’s a moment. A failure. A truth that stings. A silence that dares you to become stronger.


Orange curve in glass, Ivan’s Gallery, 2024, Santa Fe, NM. Image by Ivan Barnett.


One of the hardest truths I’ve learned is that mentorship is not guaranteed. Sometimes it arrives as a lifeline. Sometimes it doesn’t arrive at all.

In 1969, amid the Vietnam War and looming draft, I faced a pivotal decision: enlist or exit? Conflicted, I turned to Robert Riggs—one of my father’s mentors, a towering figure in American illustration. I told him I didn’t believe in the war. He looked at me and said, "This isn’t just about politics. It’s about maturity. It’s about becoming a man under fire." He had served in WWI. My father served in WWII. I respected their experience. I enlisted. Though I didn’t see combat, I trained, I served, and I learned what it meant to take responsibility. That experience shaped my spine.



Bronze, Life-Size Bronze of Sculptor Allan Houser, Santa Fe, NM.  Image by Ivan Barnett.


These are not easy times. But they are not hopeless. I’ve lived through recessions, heartbreak, failures, and near-collapse—both personally and professionally. During the 2008 financial crisis, I worked daily to keep the gallery alive. I stood in the eye of uncertainty and decided: I will not fold. I reached deeper, trusted my experience, and rebuilt from the inside out. I kept showing up.

And that’s what artists must do now. Show up. Sharpen your edge. Dig in.

Mentorship may not come in the form you expect. Early in my career, it came from reading the Wall Street Journal, the Harvard Business Review, and the Financial Times. I was living in a remote place. No mentors nearby. But their words, their thinking—those were my guides. Even today, I still seek voices that push me forward.

Let’s be clear: the current generation of young artists is brave, but they haven’t been through a crisis like this. They’re facing it now—and it’s disorienting. Confusing. Some are frozen in place. But this is where the rest of us must lead—not with shortcuts, but with context and courage.



Detail of sculpture, Museum Hill Bronze Dancer, Santa Fe. Image by Ivan Barnett.


There are no fast fixes. True growth takes time. True mentorship takes work.

If you’re out there seeking mentors—keep going. Knock on doors. Ask tough questions. Be willing to sit in silence. Listen and follow through. And when you can’t find the mentor you need, become the one.


Mentorship: What to Do—and What to Avoid

DO:

• Be clear about what you're seeking
• Show up prepared and respectful
• Listen more than you speak
• Follow up—build the relationship
• Learn from a variety of sources, not just people
• Take initiative; mentorship is not a handout
• Accept hard truths with grace
• Stay humble, stay curious

DON’T:

• Expect fast answers or easy fixes
• Chase prestige over substance
• Take advice you’re not willing to act on
• Put all your faith in one person
• Confuse attention with care
• Expect mentors to do the work for you
• Waste their time if you’re not ready to work
• Be afraid of discomfort—it’s often where the learning is

Today, through Serious Play, I offer artists and creative professionals what I spent a lifetime seeking: strategic guidance, honest feedback, and unwavering support. Not because I have every answer, but because I’ve walked through fire and kept my voice intact. I know what it means to build a life in art—not just a moment.

So if you're standing still, waiting for clarity to arrive, I’ll tell you this: clarity is earned. Through persistence and reflection. Through the courage to keep going.

And if you’re still waiting for the right mentor—maybe it’s time to become the one you’ve been looking for.


Know what you know and care about the person you’re sharing with.
/ Maya Angelou


© Ivan Barnett 2025, All rights reserved.

 

About the author

Ivan Barnett
As co-founder and creative director of Patina Gallery, Ivan played a pivotal role in elevating artists’ careers and shaping the gallery’s international reputation. His expertise in gallery management, marketing, and exhibition planning allows him to support creatives in crafting sustainable careers. Through one-on-one coaching and curatorial support, he encourages artists to refine their narratives, embrace risk, and find deeper creative meaning.
Raised in a family of artists, Ivan was influenced by his father, Isa Barnett, a celebrated painter. After studying at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, he pursued a career in painting, metalwork, sculpture, and mixed media. In 2023, he launched Serious Play, integrating mentorship with innovative business strategies to help artists refine their messaging and expand their careers.
Unlike most consultancies, Ivan’s empathetic and intuitive approach fosters creative dot connecting, collaboration and profound storytelling, proving that art is not just something we create—it’s something we are. Learning the art of playing seriously can transform and propel our lives toward new heights.

Serious Play, based in Santa Fe, NM, is a creative consultancy founded by Ivan Barnett, an artist, curator, and mentor with over five decades of experience in the art world. Ivan helps artists, galleries, and arts organizations navigate the complexities of creative careers by blending artistic exploration with strategic business acumen.
Serious Play’s purpose is to mentor artists and art organizations to tell more of their untold stories.

creativemornings.com/individuals/ivanbarnett
seriousplaysf@gmail.com