Paul Dorrell knows firsthand that the artist's life is not an easy one.
Dorrell, who lives in Kansas City, Mo., is the founder of Leopold Gallery there. During his career, he spent time in the Hartford area, working as an assistant to the director of the Hill-Stead Museum and for the Hepburn family. He helped arrange the acquisition of a statue of Mark Twain for the Hartford Public Library in 1995.
He's also a writer and will make several presentations in the area this week to promote his 2004 book, Living the Artist's Life: A Guide to Growing, Persevering and Succeeding in the Art World (Hillstead Publishing, $23.95). The book, part memoir and part guidebook, offers a frank and inspiring look at all aspects of the artist's life, from the creative and emotional challenges to the nuts-and-bolts of the arts business, including marketing and dealing with galleries and designers.
Dorrell will speak Monday at 6 p.m. at the Yale Bookstore, 77 Broadway, New Haven (203-777-8440). On Tuesday, he will speak from 9 to 10 a.m. and from 1 to 2:15 p.m. at the second annual Writers' Festival at Tunxis Community College, Routes 6 and 177, Farmington, which is free and open to the public (860-255-3500). At 7:30 Tuesday, he will appear at Borders Books & Music, 1600 Southeast Road, Farmington (860-674-8110).