Most artists spend a lot of time planning and preparing for frequent exhibitions at galleries and department stores. They are not able to simply 'hide' in their atelier, but must become 'salesmen' for much of the time, trying to promote interest in their artworks. I think it must be very difficult for them to concentrate on the creative aspect of their work, when they have to be always thinking about business.

My situation is different though, because unlike many people in the art world, for eleven months of the year I don't have to worry about this 'business side' of my work. My exhibitions are a bit unusual - I never sell anything there! Of course I display many of my prints on the gallery walls, along with various essays and explanations of what my project is about, but when the viewers say, "Excuse me, may I buy a copy of that print, please ..." I say, "I'm sorry ... but no ..."

What I do do, is accept orders for the coming set of prints, the ones that I haven't made yet! In one corner of the gallery is an explanation of what prints I plan to make during the next year, along with order forms.

Why do I do business in such a strange way? Simple. After the exhibition is all over, I can set to work on the planned set of prints, already knowing who will be buying them. I already know where those prints will 'live' in the future. I feel the eyes of those collectors looking over my shoulder all year long as I work ...

All year long I sit in my workshop by myself ... but I am not alone ...