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How to Build Your Reputation as an Artist – Promote and Market Your Art

admin — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 05:58:16 +0000

If you want to be an artist and become known as one then you need to commit your self to the idea. Make a decision to make art. This may sound obvious but it is not always as easy as it appears to make art or be an artist. Being happy about the title of artist is a beginning and knowing that this is the path for you will help you to motivate and concentrate your thinking to do what is needed to see this happen. There is a great bit of wisdom in the bible. It says that “without a vision the people perish”. Without a goal you can easily be blown around by the wind of whatever is happening at the time. You can be ruled by circumstance instead of soaring above them to claim the prize of the path you are taking. After deciding that this is the path you want to take, then you need to make art regularly. Don’t leave it until you have the time, such as when you retire. Doing a little often is better than waiting for the time when you have time, which tends to be never. You may have to plan this. Set aside time, write it in your dairy and do all that is needed to secure this time for making art. You may need to turn your phone off. You may need to pay someone to look after your children or business for a few hours or a day. You may need to plan your holidays to ensure that you do make art. Try planning an art retreat. There are many online opportunities. Persevere, with your art. Practice will improve it. If it doesn’t seem to be improving then find an artist who can help you or a workshop. Visit an art gallery. Study art that is similar to yours to see how others have dealt with similar problems such as techniques of paint application or lack of inspirational. Talk with other artists. The people you mix with can positively or negatively influence how you see yourself. As the saying goes, you cannot change your family but you can choose to spend time with people who motivate you on your chosen path. Find an art group to join, or start one youself. Think about why people should buy your art. Ask yourself why your art it is valuable and worth someone’s while to buy it. If you don’t value it, why should anyone else? Make art that you can be proud of. Meeting with other artist is one way of “getting your name out there”, even if you find that they are not your type or not that motivating. Don’t “hide your light under a bushel” as the bible saying goes. Once you have even a small portfolio of work that you are reasonable happy with, you need others to see you and it. Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities. I always carry in my bag, a little A6 size book that has copies of my images in it printed onto glossy photography paper. I add to it as I complete each work. This enables me to show people my art when they ask what kind of art I do. I have a business card as well so that I people are able to contact me later or view my work online. You need to get a website to show your works even if you do not have an online payment system such as pay pal on it. There are many free websites hosts available and a lot of free help is also available. Search your local community for places where you can display your work. Build up some permanent display places such as universities, hair salons, restaurants, cafes, shops, clothing boutiques, hotels, bed and breakfasts, and showrooms and book shops. If people see your work in a range of place they begin to value your work more and think of you as artist, even a well known one. Join some art groups that hold exhibitions, even if that is all you do in the group, it is one way of building your art presence. As soon as you have enough art works, have a solo exhibition. You can apply for grants to fund the opening and the space, or find a display space that is free and hold it there. Exhibitions are a great way of promoting your work. Make a catalogue. If you have a computer you can create it yourself. You will need to write a small art biography and make sure you have your contact details so that people can contact you later if they like your work. Create a flyer or postcard to email to people and to hand out around the place. This should look professional. Keep one or two with you to give to people you meet in your day. Make appointments with your local papers to let them know about your exhibition. Send them an invitation. Generously advertise your event. The more you advertise, the more people will start to think of you and your art even if they do not attend the opening. Take photos of people looking at your art at the opening, to display on your website or to send to your local paper. Even if only 3 people turn up, ask them if it is ok for you to have them looking at your art for your website. Be positive about the event. Others are more likely to come to another of your exhibitions if they hear a positive report. Find someone to do a review and send it into your local paper. Keep a record of your art and art events. Be diligent in your record keeping. List buyers name and contact details, the size and date you completed the art and always take a photo of it before it sells. Professional photos are best but if you cannot afford this take your own. When I first selling my work, I did not take photos and now I have only the memory of what they were like and memories cannot be trusted to serve you faithfully throughout your life. Your memory or talk will not be enough to let others know of your ability. There are a lot of online art communities and galleries where you can show your work free of charge. Search these out or ask someone who belongs to some to share their experience and links with you to the sites that they have found useful. There are many other was that you can build your reputation as an artist. Set aside some time to build a list of them. You can more of the ideas I wrote down at: http://citwings. com/art_promotion. html

Art Posters ? Exposition of Artists’ Expressions

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 08:34:12 +0000

Posters are no doubt becoming the popular sources of bedecking your office, home, restaurant or shop walls. Art posters can be of different types such as vintage original posters, specialty prints, fine art, movie or music posters, posters of nature, abstract posters and many more. Art posters are timeless treasures and give you eternal happiness. Since time immemorial, the functionality part of posters has been exploited with great enthusiasm and in a very artistic way. The aesthetic appeal of art posters is mind blowing. Art posters have great economic value and are collectors’ delight. Some of the art posters can be worth millions. Art galleries and museums are the main source from where you can get art posters. However, the advent of the Internet has led to various websites catering to art posters online. You can surf through these websites and can select art posters of your choice. The range of art posters that you can lay your hands on is unbelievable. Art posters are mainly designed by art lovers or full time artists who have imaginative and controversial idea that they put to expression through art posters. Artists put their dreams to sketch and the result is the fine art posters that you can buy and make your home or office a better place to live or work in. Art posters sort of bring serenity in the environment around which they are pasted. Artists try to expose their intense artistic expressions through art posters. Art posters are decorative pieces, no doubt, but you can also gift them to your friends, relatives and family members on special occasions such as birthdays, marriage anniversaries, the new year etc. As for collectible value, it depends on various factors such as how old they are, what condition they are in, how rare they are, and whether they are in demand. The collectible value is subject to perception of the valuers.

What is Good Art? Interior Design Professionals Weigh in

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 01:34:22 +0000

The first rule for buying art is to love it. The second rule is to be able to pay for it without taking out a bank loan. And, rule #3? Feel good about what you paid for it. So, how do you know that a piece of art is worth the asking price? If you love it, and can afford it, should you buy it? We asked over one-hundred interior design professionals for some help. We asked them to review pieces of art and tell us what they think about the quality of the work and the asking price. Each designer chose five pieces of art to review from over 4000 original and limited edition artworks created by independent, fine artists whose work is available at www. DiscoveredArtists. com. Designers were asked to comment on how they might use the art in an interior room design, and were asked to only review artworks that they felt were worth the asking price. In other words, would you recommend that your client buy this piece of art at that price. Here’s what they said: Terry Symington is principal designer and owner of T. Symington & Co. Interiors in Brenham, Houston, and Austin Texas. She is a big fan of using art in her interior designs and suggests that “For rooms lacking a proper focal point, an oversized painting makes a great statement!” Ms. Symington reviewed Fleurs Rondes #19, a 12″ x 18″ contemporary collage by Canadian born artist Lisa Carney. The artwork is a mixed media original on panel priced at $115. Lisa Carney is a formally trained, emerging, full time artist who is represented by galleries. She creates abstract, modern, and fine art using multi-media methods and materials. Her work is especially suited for decorative interior design. Symington’s review of Fleurs Rondes 19: “I would love to see a grouping of several of Ms. Carney’s collages in an interior to make a really big statement. Her combinations of materials, textures and colors are very pleasing . . . the the pricing makes it very affordable!” Elaine Buderer, principal designer for Restoration Interior Design, LLC in Columbia, Maryland writes, “Good art brings some life into a space,” and adds that she approaches design by, “Using color, texture, furniture, art and the existing elements of a home. ” Ms Buderer reviewed Drayton Hall #20 a 21″ x 25″ limited edition by fine art photographer John Michiels. The artwork is an edition of 40 that is signed and numbered by the artist, matted and framed with glass, and sells for $525. John Michiels’ primary style is fine art, his signature style is southern gothic. He is a mature, juried artist who is represented by galleries. Michiels personally completes every step of the printmaking process in his studio in his Charleston South Carolina studio currently offering prints in editions of 45 or less. Interior Designer Elaine Buderer’s review of Drayton Hall #20: “This is a spiritual piece. It hints of serenity (provided by the classic balance) with a vision of hope beyond. It would be a soothing vista in a quiet room. ” Nicky Quartermaine Scott is owner and principal designer for Quartermaine Interiors in Plainfield, Illinois. Her advice to art buyers in general is “If you’re stuck choosing a color scheme for your home, look to art for your inspiration. Select a piece that you truly love, and start from there. Art will reveal some wonderful colors that you can use as a foundation for your project. ” Ms. Scott reviewed Italian artist Mauro Celotti’s large, landscape titled Follow the Clouds. It is a 50″ x 40″ original acrylic on gallery wrap canvas priced at $3600. Celotti is a mature, professional artist, formally trained and juried, who paints abstract, modern, surreal and figurative subjects. Scott’s review of Follow the Clouds: “This piece is reminiscent of Van Gogh, but with a twist. I love the color combination of orange, grey and white. It has a masculine quality to it, with diagonal line and strong movement, but the soft, undulating earth reflects back nicely to Mother Nature herself. ” So, going back to the rules for buying art, if you need a second opinion you certainly should get one. But, it seems that the driving force behind each of these professional reviews is how much they liked the artwork and how they might use it in a room. So, if you love it, and can afford it, it deserves a place on your wall. To read more about any piece of artwork featured in this story go to www. DiscoveredArtists. com and type the name of the art or the artists name in Keyword Search. To read more designer comments or to contact a featured interior designer click on Search Interior Designers on the DiscoveredArtists. com home page. About DiscoveredArtists. com DiscoveredArtists. com is a marketplace for buying and selling original and limited edition artworks. Independent artists sell directly to the general public. Prices are set by the artists and artwork is shipped from the artist’s studio. All major credit cards are accepted. Artwork may be purchased online and is backed by a satisfaction guarantee of a full refund plus return shipping expense.

Chinese Martial Arts

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:33:59 +0000

China, the world’s largest country by population, is widely regarded as the home of martial arts and is the birthplace of numerous diverse styles. Modern Chinese martial arts can trace their origins to a number of sources, including ancient military skills, the Buddhist martial arts that evolved out of the Shaolin temple, the Daoist martial arts that originate from the Wudang temple in Hubei province, and a number of other techniques used by bandits, militia, secret societies, invaders, and marauding pirates throughout China’s turbulent history. According to legend, the Indian monk Bodhidharma (known as “Da Mo” in China) traveled from southern India to China in the 6th century CE carrying sutras (collections of dialogs and discourses). He then settled in the Shaolin temple in Song Shan, and introduced martial exercises and Zen Buddhism to China. However, there is evidence to suggest that the practice of martial arts in the country dates back to well before that time. A longer history Although Bodhidharma may well have been one of the first to record martial-art techniques-he also introduced techniques such as meditation to existing fighting systems-experts believe that Chinese martial arts gradually developed from ancient hunting skills and from one tribe’s need to defend itself from another. These fighting forms developed slowly over the years: punches and kicks were incorporated and, in time, so was the use of weapons. The first evidence of martial-art practice in China comes in 2698 BCE during the reign of the Yellow Emperor, Huangdi, who developed the practice of jiao di (“horn-butting”) among his soldiers. In the 5th century BCE – some 1,000 years before Bodhidharma’s arrival in Song Shan – Confucius mentions martial arts in his texts; Daoist literature from the 4th century BCE contains principles applicable to martial arts; and there is evidence to suggest that physical exercises similar to taijiquan have been practiced in the region since at least 500 BCE. In contrast, the earliest textual evidence of Shaolin martial arts comes in 728 CE. Putting soldiers to the test The development of martial arts in China is indelibly linked to the military. The first military martial-arts tests were established in 702 CE. These challenged a soldier’s physical strength, horsemanship, and skills with a lance, spear, and bow and arrow. Such a premium was placed on them that regular soldiers were categorized according to their ability and courage in hand-to-hand combat and weapons skills, particularly their swordsmanship. Various military generals have added their expertise to China’s martial-arts mix. Even Genghis Khan, the Mongol warrior whose armies had conquered much of South Asia- including all of China-by the 13th century, believed that bkyukl bokh was the best way to keep his troops ready for battle. Two styles of the art are still practiced today, one in Mongolia, the other in Inner Mongolia. Boom in popularity It was not until the Republican Period (1912-1949), a time when China was recovering from the fall of the Qing dynasty, the invasion by Japan, and the Chinese Civil War, that martial arts became more accessible to the general public. In a wave of national pride, the Chinese government classified all martial arts under the banner “guosho,” meaning “national art. ” Martial artists were encouraged to teach, numerous training manuals were published, examinations in martial arts were created, and demonstration teams started to travel the world- the first martial-art demonstration in front of an international audience took place at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin.

Art Collecting: Improving Your Art Collecting Skills

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 11:34:04 +0000

Being able to collect good art is one exceptional talent. Although you may think good art collectors are born, this is not the case at all. The truth is, the skill of collecting art can actually be learned! Yes, and that is one good news for you. So, if you want to improve further with your collecting skills, here are some things that you can do to attain such goal. Get Some ExposureGetting some exposure on different disciplines of art is one way to enhance your collecting skills. There are a lot of national and international art expos and art fairs that you can attend to. Try attending such kinds of events to broaden your horizon on different kinds of art disciplines and forms. This is also one way to discover not so well-known aesthetic pieces that have potential on getting a huge value in the future. However, most importantly, it is one way to see artworks that can move you and probably be part of your collection in the near future. Know Your KindAlthough collecting art can be a personal endeavour for you, there is nothing wrong with talking to other art collectors and knowing more about them. In fact, doing this can be beneficial to you, since you can learn more about how other collectors started and what other helpful information they can give you. They can also give you recommendations like galleries to visit, events to go to, artists to see works of and other art related things. Some art collectors even have clubs or organizations that you can join in. Read On!Reading in any aspect can take your knowledge another level. Thus, reading books about art history and art collections would definitely improve your skill. There’s a lot to learn with collecting that you can actually find not only by looking at pictures, but also through reading texts about so. Reading old published literature on the subject is good, since you can learn the basics of the field and the essentials of collecting. However, it would still be better if you are up-to-date with your reading materials. If you want something fresh and new regularly, then subscribing to some art magazines would do the trick!Magazines, just like books, are helpful resources where you can learn more about collecting and collections. However, these magazines standout since their content are always up to date and new, unlike with books that may contain faced-out and irrelevant data. Reviews: Seeing Another’s PerspectiveSeeing art in the perspective of another person is bad at all. Remember that art is relative, thus, something may be beautiful in your eyes, yet ugly for another’s and vice versa. That is why you should learn to utilize reviews done by international or local art critics and channel them into something positive. Instead of being too much influenced by what they say, try learning from them and see if what they say about the artwork is true. You should also learn some points on how they critic a piece, since being able to critic is yet an important skill to develop collecting skills. Get Some HelpA little bit of guidance would not hurt if you are really interested on learning how to make a great art collection. You can work with a professional art consultant / art advisor, if you please since for sure they know what they are doing. They can also teach you about collecting and even guide you to the whole process of buying art.