artid

There is information everywhere, on line and in art publications, about the gallery, artist relationship. Still, it never hurts to remind artists about a few key points that can make a big difference when trying to get gallery representation. Do your homework: Check out the gallery on their web site or even better in person, to see what kind of art they carry. If you paint impressionist, oil landscapes and they have a big selection of pop art, chances are good that you should move on to the next gallery on your list.… Continue reading… 0 comments

There are some very persuasive statistics and reasons to get out there and blog. The comment I get the most is "I have nothing to blog about." followed directly with "I don't have time to blog." The actual keyboard time involved in blogging is minimal, it's the subject matter we blank out on. Imagine...you are exhibiting in a gallery or Art Show, what are the most FAQ from viewers? Inquiring minds really do what to know. It makes them feel like they know you or have an inside track on you and your work. Buyers are much more likely to purchase original art if it has a story attached to it. Every time you upload a new piece on your artid site, there is a button that says "blog about this art". Here are 10 "Starter" tips to get any artist blogging... 1… Continue reading… 2 comments

It's easy to get overlooked among the millions of other artists and their work on the Internet. Search Engines like Google work with words, not pictures, so describing your work accurately will give you an edge. Here are five tips to get found faster: 1. Describe your work as though there were no picture with it: If someone is searching for a "horizontal oil painting+yellow roses+vase and your description is "a recent painting of my garden" then the search engines have nothing to match. Example: Ellen Sullivan Farley described her gorgeous painting of lilies this way: "These are beautiful Casablanca Lilies that I grow in my garden. I love the gestural lines in these flowers and the interesting negative shapes generated between them."… Continue reading… 11 comments

Amado Mora Exhibition at Consulate of Ecuador in NJ Yesterday August 19, 2010 I had the great pleasure of attending the exhibition of paintings, Ink drawings and sculpture by my good friend Amado Mora at the Consulate of Ecuador at 400 Market Street in Newark New Jersey. On display were 32 works of art including paintings, ink drawings and sculptures. His ink drawings are so tight, meticulous and precious with lots of hidden images and symbols. These drawings bring you in and keep you searching and exploring for meanings and symbols throughout all. The Sculptures are powerful, deep and full of meaning. I found them irresistible and I hope that someday soon I will be able to own one of these wonderful sculptures… Continue reading… 3 comments

You have to spend Money to make Money. That is true in all businesses including art. I have been doing very well lately with some nice art sales and lots of exhibition opportunities. My artists friends say I am very lucky and probably feel that success came easily and with very little or no cost to me. But the truth is that I work harder and longer at my art then on anything else in my life. I love every minute of it but it is not as easy as they think it is. There are art supplies to buy, art to create and exhibition opportunities to chase. And yes even the most successful artists have to pay for things like advertising, promotion, and a few hanging fees and brochure fees once in a while… Continue reading… 1 comment

Something in me sank as I read this article in the UK papers. Apple actually thinks that artists will joyfully abandon their traditional paints and brushes, ink and pens, pencils and pastels to create original works of art on an iPad.… Continue reading… 15 comments

This is a photo of my most recent work, "Evening Glow", leaning against my hearth. When I paint in my home studio, this is where paintings in progress are placed for study, to determine final touches. It is also one of the places where my work looks the best. I have become ever more convinced of what I have known for a long time: my work is not at its best when shown on a white wall. I think this is true of any painting which is seeking to create an illusion, at least one based on effects of light. A white wall diminishes the impact and the magic of the work. Why? What's wrong with a background of white? It is color neutral, allowing the colors of the work to take on their true character and relationships… Continue reading… 4 comments

A scant few oak leaves had just begun to color. The oaks grew along the edge of a Sierra trail in a place that would have been awkward to set up to paint. I photographed them for later work in the studio, framing the scene with the camera as I intended to paint it. It was horizontal with a great deal of the dusty greens of late summer/early fall and the yellow leave in the lower left hand area, in a text book example of one of the perfect focal point locations. However, I did not like the first painting effort following that plan. There were large amounts of dark areas, with the eye drawn to the bright leaves and staying there. In the next effort I went to a vertical composition, using only one third of the leafy area I had originally painted… Continue reading… 0 comments

The internet is quiet today and it is still warm in New England but today is dry and breezy. I am attending Odyssey, a Lettering Arts Conference at Stonehill College in Easton, MA. All the calligraphers are busy learning something wonderful in their multitudes of classes while I docent the Participants,Faculty and Nice Rendition Exhibit. … Continue reading… 4 comments

I've had a lot of good fortune selling prints of one of my paintings titled Expecting. Expecting is a watercolor painting of a pregnant woman who seems to be very serenely and patiently expecting the arrival of her baby. It is a very pleasant image that seems to send a quiet and hopeful energy to the viewer. Much to my delight it seems to strike a chord with people in general and women within the healthcare industry in particular. It has been published on-line, it hangs in the offices of massage therapists, obstetricians, physiotherapists and so on. So, in the interest of exploring the theme of an image that seems to resonate so strongly with people I decided I would explore the theme of birth and pregnancy. Maybe there is more I want to say. Maybe… Continue reading… 1 comment

How To Respond To Criticism In Person and Online. "Everybody's an art critic." (Judith Martin) Consider the source: "The lot of critics is to be remembered for what they failed to understand." (George Moore). While it is true that everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion, an opinion is not a critique. A critique is backed by education, insight and objectivity. If someone's remarks about your work are not based in these then the remark has little value. A critique opens up an opportunity for response. An opinion is a dead end. Is it really worth it to exchange caustic remarks and insults with someone whose opinion is baseless? Try, "Thanks for taking the time to comment."… Continue reading… 4 comments

I made this short video for one of my on-line students and then thought others might fid it helpful also. I welcome any comments or suggestions. Continue reading… 3 comments

Exhibition of Puerto Rico and Venezuela Artists Pictured Antonio Perez Melero with Padre Diego Jaramillo. On June 21, 2010 I had the honor of attending the exhibition of Artists from Puerto Rico and Venezuela at the Venezuela Mission to the United Nations in New York City. The exhibition was beautifully presented and I enjoyed viewing all the sculptures and paintings on display. The Venezuelan Artists represented were Alicia Meza, Arnaldo Moncada, Ernesto Leon, Nejia Vivas, Guillermo Barreto, John Kelly Aguilera and my good friend Antonio Perez Melero. Antonio was born in Spain but has spent most of his life living in Venezuela and has art studios in Spain, Venezuela and New York… Continue reading… 2 comments

Painting people is a pleasure, and art lovers usually enjoy paintings with humans portrayed in them. After completing a recent watercolor of two children exploring a sea star and barnacle bedecked rock at low tide, I gave some thought to portraits, figure painting, and the market. There is definitely a market for portraits of celebrities, and portraits by master painters from the past can command large figures when they come on the market. Surely the Mona Lisa is one of the world's most cherished and visited paintings, and one cannot imagine any circumstances that the Louvre would let go of it_thus placing it in the category of "priceless". However, I think in the more ordinary world of art marketing, the successful portraitist works largely on commission… Continue reading… 0 comments

We now have 2 artists, Mike Bell and Dr. Merrill Raikes who have sold work to our client, Anthropologie. We have posted 6 more Calls For Art from Anthropologie. We are working very hard to keep this client happy and to work with them on their design needs. ' ' These Calls For Art will change as Anthropologie's design needs change. If your artwork doesn't meet any of the current criteria, DO NOT be discouraged. They change out their spring and fall line every 6 months which means we will update these Calls For Art. ' ' Dr… Continue reading… 0 comments