Artpromotivate

Shana Stern - Fluid Movements - Dancing through Paint

Shana Stern Austin, Texas. USA Mediums:  Fluid Acrylic Style:  Abstract   <img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Shana Stern Just Breathe" alt="Shana Stern Just Breathe" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-w5-cJtgoXUY/UX8e0xCycMI/AAAAAAAAOIA/-SZL3wLfirI/Shana-Stern-Just-Breathe6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="553">   I'm a 42 year old, full time mom of an amazing 8 year old boy, Walker Riley.  I've had MS for over 13 years which has rendered me blind several times, plagued with severe fatigue, sensory issues and disturbances, nerve pain and numbness in limbs.  No longer able to write for a living, the need to be creative was overwhelming and so I turned to painting.  But not being able to hold a pen for long, also means I can't hold a paintbrush for long so I began experimenting with making my own fluid acrylics, and ways to create certain shapes, movements and effects.  Once I created the method I use - the "madness" completely overtook me and now practically everything I own is stained with paint.  My floors, furniture, clothes, TV, books….  But I love it.

Shana Stern - Fluid Movements - Dancing through Paint

Shana Stern Austin, Texas. USA Mediums : Fluid Acrylic Style : Abstract I'm a 42 year old, full time mom of an am...

Omnia Scroll Exhibition 3 - Brighton Jubilee Library

<img style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; float: left" title="omnia scroll collective exhibition" alt="omnia scroll collective exhibition" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6pBknkqlJsw/UX3KTWhoI8I/AAAAAAAAOHo/P0GNVG8_p5A/omnia-scroll-collective-exhibition%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="350" height="494">A few months ago (last November), I posted about Omnia Scroll, a collaborative exhibition of international artists unlimited by nationality, race, or background. At the time, they were holding their first exhibition at Brighton Jubilee Library, UK. (Nov. 14, 2012 – Dec. 18. 2012). Since I posted about that first exhibition, (<a title="Omnia Scroll 1" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/11/omnia-scroll-art-collaborative.html">Omnia Scroll 1</a>) there was another held at Art Studio, Venezia, Italia -  March 2nd to 16th 2013, which further added to the participants, size and diverseness of the scroll. The third collective exhibition will again be held at Brighton Jubilee Library - May 1st to 31st, 2013.

Omnia Scroll Exhibition 3 - Brighton Jubilee Library

A few months ago (last November), I posted about Omnia Scroll, a collaborative exhibition of international artists unlimited by nationali...

Lisa Zadravec Artist - Telling Stories With Art

<h5> Lisa Zadravec</h5> <h5>From Washington, DC, Northern Virginia area.</h5> <h5>Mediums: colored pencil, oil. I like to try my work on many different surfaces.</h5> Style: Narrative Realism The need to tell stories is big in my roots. I come from a family of writers, I tell mine in pictures. Though a realist I am not bent on photo realism, in this age of technology, why not just print a photo out on canvas. I guess you call it painterly or expressionistic, letting the artist's hand show in the strokes and the pencil marks.   <img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="The Other Sister" alt="The Other Sister" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YBImO3qeRtk/UXsHe-5OMFI/AAAAAAAAOGg/pGTeRG57l9s/The-Other-Sister%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="550"> The Other Sister © Lisa Zadravec, colored pencil, gouache on mattboard - This is my daughter turning 18, graduating wearing the Anne Bolyn Necklace her teacher promised her for doing her work, poppies are a symbol of remembrance.   I am art-school trained, taught traditionally, oil painting in the Maroger medium method, but I find I like to work most in colored pencil. I do so with the same layering I would use if painting. I am not a big purist media. I use gouache. I draw on different surfaces, Kraft paper, birch, matt board. Once I was inspired by an artist from Africa who did a family portrait on leather. I loved that the material suited the skin, all the colors of skin in the family. I searched for a paper that would do the same for my daughter’s skin and it was the rough surface of mailing paper. I rubbed school chalk into it to make it glow. I drew with school pencils and pens and student grade watercolors. It is the technique not the materials. It is the artist’s eye and hand.

Lisa Zadravec Artist - Telling Stories With Art

Lisa Zadravec From Washington, DC, Northern Virginia area . Mediums: colored pencil, oil. I like to try my work on many different sur...

Build an Art Website Series – Creating a Free Online Portfolio with Wix

A while ago, we shared a series of posts on how to create a fully functional art website with Wix – from start to finish. Wix is a powerful website builder which can be used to create free websites. They also have various upgrade options to instantly turn the free website into a professional one. <a title="Touch People with your Art - Click Here!" href="http://wixstats.com/?a=1401&c=124&s1=" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><img title="Touch People with your Art - Click Here!" alt="Touch People with your Art - Click Here!" align="right" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5i8W2K9TqzM/UKqsSjnsTnI/AAAAAAAAK50/2jVYN78UKy8/s1600/touch-people-with-your-art.jpg" width="300" height="250"></a>Included here is this whole series of posts. Naming a Website Fix Pictures in Photoshop HTML5 Slideshow Build a Keyword List Social Network Buttons Create Artwork Gallery Pages How to Create an Artist Bio Page How to Make a Contact Page

Build an Art Website Series – Creating a Free Online Portfolio with Wix

A while ago, we shared a series of posts on how to create a fully functional art website with Wix – from start to finish. Wix is ...

Sabina D’Antonio – Art Inspired by Life Experience

Sabina D’Antonio USA Mediums : acrylic/medium on canvas Style : Abstract I am a self taught and self representing art...

Second Online Youtube Art Exhibition

<img style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; float: left" title="youtube art exhibition" alt="youtube art exhibition" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jzAoJn_q8nU/UXWUfzNw8fI/AAAAAAAAOEQ/lnEjWk9BgY4/youtube-art-exhibition%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="350" height="258">10 artists and artworks have been chosen for our second online video exhibition. We have been accepting submissions for curated video slideshow exhibitions. The online art shows are promoted at our Youtube channel, Facebook page, Google+, Twitter, and more. The first video was very successful, having received 249 views and 15 likes at Youtube, and 541 views at Slideshare. Find the first online art show here: <a title="First Online Video Art Show" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/04/artists-online-video-art-show.html">First Online Video Art Show</a> Congratulations to all the artists selected for this video. Remember, if you have not been chosen for this online group show, you still may be included in an upcoming video. The best way to instantly find out if you are included is to <a title="subscribe to our Youtube channel" href="http://www.youtube.com/user/grahammatthews2006" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">subscribe to our Youtube channel</a>. Please support the artists by liking and sharing the video. Click the Share option beneath the video at Youtube to find various options, and even embedding code to include the video on a blog or website. Further details on how to promote Youtube videos are at this post: <a title="How to Get Likes for a Youtube Video" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/03/get-likes-views-youtube-video.html">How to Get Likes for a Youtube Video</a> <iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pAUY3M8R1AM" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

Second Online Youtube Art Exhibition

10 artists and artworks have been chosen for our second online video exhibition. We have been accepting submissions for curated video sli...

Abstract Ideas - Paintings by Evan Hawley

Evan Hawley Texas, USA Mediums: Acrylic, Oil, Collage, Ink, Print, Watercolor Style: Abstract Expression   <img style="display: inline" title="evan hawley abstract art" alt="evan hawley abstract art" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nYCjLVPODFc/UXROZTOKJ2I/AAAAAAAAODg/S-fpvJDwL24/evan-hawley-abstract-art7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="401">   Hello, My name is Evan Hawley, I am 24 years young and currently reside in Texas, I am a self taught artist who is learning more and more every day. My art is an extension of ME and by that I mean that I try to find myself in each and every piece of work I create, My pieces are very emotionally charged via color, texture, and subject matter. I try to pour all of my emotion into each and every work. I like to think that my paintings are a way for me to express my emotions to the viewer in a much more profound way than my words would ever be able to do on their own.

Abstract Ideas - Paintings by Evan Hawley

Evan Hawley Texas, USA Mediums : Acrylic, Oil, Collage, Ink, Print, Watercolor Style : Abstract Expression Hello, My na...

Gathering Grounds Art Contest – Permanent Art Installation

<img style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; float: left" title="Gathering Grounds art contests" alt="Gathering Grounds art contests" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LNrOF2PiFv4/UXGom4sqStI/AAAAAAAAODA/1TopNd1DwXI/Gathering-Grounds-art-contests%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="233">I have been asked to pass along information about an exciting one of a kind national art contest - Gathering Grounds Art Contest. Also included here are images from past community revitalization projects.         For centuries, public art has served as a catalyst for change and revitalization. Taking this notion to heart, Tully’s Coffee and its non-profit partner Pomegranate Center have been working together to create community gathering places infused with art. This year, to complement the community revitalization project Tully’s and Pomegranate are planning in Vermont, Tully’s is launching a first of its kind national art contest which will award two artists the opportunity to create a permanent art installation at the build. Winning artists will receive $1,000 cash prize, $2,000 in materials to create their art installation, and a trip to Vermont.

Gathering Grounds Art Contest – Permanent Art Installation

I have been asked to pass along information about an exciting one of a kind national art contest - Gathering Grounds Art Contest . Also i...

Llael McDonald Artist - Gossip on Canvas

Llael McDonald Australia Mediums: Oils, Charcoal, Ink Style: Realism   <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9pxZuHC7Dw0/UXBcKLl9_wI/AAAAAAAAOB4/Zokcvf7wGGM/s1600-h/adnerson-street-feast-Llael-McDonald%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="adnerson-street-feast-Llael-McDonald" alt="adnerson-street-feast-Llael-McDonald" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lPDIUBTFU_o/UXBcMQYRoVI/AAAAAAAAOCA/Gv-M4wT7ATk/adnerson-street-feast-Llael-McDonald.jpg?imgmax=800" width="465" height="640"></a> Anderson Street Feast © Llael McDonald Oil on Canvas 2013 "The Anderson St Feast" is a work that looks at the antisocial aspect of the online social network and its effects on peoples attitudes towards each other in both the real and online worlds. The people at the feast are socialising but disconnected from one another by their mobile phones and iPads. They not only feast in the literal sense but also feast on the rises and falls of their "friends" in the online world of social networking.   I started painting at the age of seven. I was never good at sport or academia so I realised at a very early age that I was put on this earth to be an artist. I studied fine art at a private art/design school located in one of Melbourne’s colourful and busy Chapel St. The school was put together by a group of students, myself included, and teachers from another Melbourne design school who walked out on its board of directors in 1994 because of creative differences. We started the Independent College of Art and Design in 1995 and had the creative freedom and environment that a lot of students dream about. I graduated one of the top students in my major of <a title="oil painting" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/11/how-to-speed-up-oil-paint-drying-time.html">oil painting</a> 1997 and have been exhibiting since 2000. My work is strongly influenced  my surroundings. I grew up in the Western suburbs of Melbourne and was considered to be lower class. There was a lot of drama and a lot of colourful characters around my neighbourhood and I guess that’s where I developed my interest in suburbia and it's characters.

Llael McDonald Artist - Gossip on Canvas

Llael McDonald Australia Mediums : Oils, Charcoal, Ink Style : Realism Anderson Street Feast © Llael McDonald Oil on Canvas...

10 Artists and Their Process of Creating Art

So far, over 140 artists have been interviewed and featured at Artpromotivate. We have also been featuring these in retrospective posts (such as this one) where the 10 most recent artists are featured again. One of the things we ask these artists is: “What is your process of creating art, from the beginning of a typical piece to its completion?” Listed here are the responses to this question. <ol> <li><a title="Lana Grant" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/03/lana-grant-mfa-cosmos-earth.html">Lana Grant</a> <img style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; float: right" title="Lana Grant" alt="Lana Grant" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EkgMOVld4wM/UT5OvAFZkhI/AAAAAAAANo8/Yze5_3zDEzk/majestic-communion-lana-grant%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="200" height="270">New York ; NY Style: figurative Mediums: oil on canvas & drawings Process: <blockquote>PAINTINGS - I paint with oil on canvas. Before I start painting I make small sketches to see what is the best composition to support my message. During painting I making changes until I am satisfied, I paint with heart, my brain is my gage. My - DRAWINGS are made with different art material to ketch fast changing sunset to express and ting or short story, that inspire me </blockquote> </li></ol>

10 Artists and Their Process of Creating Art

So far, over 140 artists have been interviewed and featured at Artpromotivate. We have also been featuring these in retrospective posts (suc...

Skylar Tucker - Artist Trying to Put Beauty in a Chaotic World

Skylar Tucker Alabama, USA Mediums: Watercolor, Oil Pastel, Charcoal, Graphite, Acrylic, Style: Anything that I get inspired by.   <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VZYEjOz287E/UWyTgTlvSzI/AAAAAAAAOAg/eVYbkicc5Yc/s1600-h/Scars-skylar-tucker5.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Scars-skylar-tucker" alt="Scars-skylar-tucker" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pLaszdiLBpo/UWyTiAJgLoI/AAAAAAAAOAo/_0mgHrZo5po/Scars-skylar-tucker_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="600"></a> Scars © Skylar Tucker: The model I used in this was my sister, done in Watercolor.   Skylar was born Jan. 25, 1994. She has been doing art for many years. She loves watercolor, charcoal, and acrylic. She lives in Alabama, USA. She has won many contests. Her art defines beautiful. The constant question. What is beauty? She tries to recreate it. She loves bright expressive colors.   <h3>When was your first experience creating?</h3> I was young. I saw a picture online and was like "Do you think I can draw this on my paper, Nanna?" She scoffed and said I might get close. Well an hour later, I had drawn it perfectly. My grandmother was amazed. She said "Well, we don't have an artist in the family!" From then, I knew I wanted to be an artist.

Skylar Tucker - Artist Trying to Put Beauty in a Chaotic World

Skylar Tucker Alabama, USA Mediums: Watercolor, Oil Pastel, Charcoal, Graphite, Acrylic, Style: Anything that I get inspired by. ...

How to Avoid Stress and have Fun When Selling Art

<img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="fun selling art stress free" border="0" alt="fun selling art stress free" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9cTTxOum4wU/UWt3kWLKOXI/AAAAAAAAN_4/HlE6A5cbQt0/fun-selling-art-stress-free%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="300" height="250">Why do so many artists dread the idea of selling and business? Some look at selling as stressful and distasteful. Is it because of the greedy stigma attached to some sales people? When many think of selling, the used car salesman comes to mind. In television and movies this person is represented as a dealer and manipulator. He is sometimes depicted as the con artist who uses his verbal skills to swindle people into buying, without being entirely truthful. Should artist’s try to do the same? I think NOT! <a title="Selling art" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/01/promoting-selling-art-online-articles.html">Selling art</a> should be approached in a completely different way from selling products. There is no reason selling art should be stressful to anyone. If it is approached in the right way, selling art can actually be fun and joyful! Here are some tips to avoid stress and having fun while <a title="selling your art" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/10/50-tips-help-selling-art.html">selling your art</a>.

How to Avoid Stress and have Fun When Selling Art

Why do so many artists dread the idea of selling and business? Some look at selling as stressful and distasteful. Is it because of the gr...

Laura Iosifescu Paintings - Living Landscapes Transforming Over Time

Laura Iosifescu UK Medium: Painting Style: Abstract I was born in Romania but I have been living for the last 8 years in England. I remember before moving to England I was like a plant that buds in early spring. Where now I feel like I have blossomed every season whatever cold or warm was. My work is an expression of freedom and love for life. My paintings are living landscapes transforming over the time just like me.   <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NSI18sa6jrI/UWoRNtRaJUI/AAAAAAAAN-M/ntzpDgwNxoA/s1600-h/Laura-Iosifescu-feel-happy-talk-sadn%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Laura-Iosifescu-feel-happy-talk-sadness" alt="Laura-Iosifescu-feel-happy-talk-sadness" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HjS7T3kiflc/UWoRPQZRctI/AAAAAAAAN-U/ZrRhK1Y1WAo/Laura-Iosifescu-feel-happy-talk-sadn.jpg?imgmax=800" width="560" height="432"></a> I feel happy to talk about my sadness © Laura Iosifescu, 2012, Oil and acrylics on linen, 100 /130 cm   <h3>Experiences with Art as a Child</h3> From a very young age I loved colours. I remember about a particular painting with monsters and aliens that I was told to do in primary school. I remember I took the drawing at home and spent hours and hours drawing on it and creating these beautiful and colourful uncanny aliens .I remember taking it back to school and showing it to my teacher .He said that wasn’t me who has painted it and I shouldn’t take credit for other people`s work. I cried for ages and I still remember his words. I hated him for not believing that was my work. Eventually he realised I was a natural gifted and he recommended me to a fine art school. Since then my life has changed.

Laura Iosifescu Paintings - Living Landscapes Transforming Over Time

Laura Iosifescu UK Medium : Painting Style: Abstract I was born in Romania but I have been living for the last 8 years in England...

How to Find Grants for Art School

<img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="art school grants" border="0" alt="art school grants" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-imRQ9XQEJ14/UWiGczElMnI/AAAAAAAAN9s/EAY7z7_dNUA/art-school-grants%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="300" height="250">The cost of college tuition is rising every year, and students are graduating with more and more debt. It's important for you to find as many sources of financing as you can to reduce the debt you will have to repay when you graduate so you can get the fresh start that you need for your career. Grants are a great resource for financing your art education. They come in small and large amounts for your tuition and other education-related expenses, and you don't have to pay them back. Here are a few tips for how you can find grants to pay for your art school education:

How to Find Grants for Art School

The cost of college tuition is rising every year, and students are graduating with more and more debt. It's important for you to fin...

Pinterest Etiquette - Rules to Follow When Pinning

<img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="pinterest etiquette" border="0" alt="pinterest etiquette" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SgFWyty6f3g/UWc_N4uRmFI/AAAAAAAAN9M/RlqmMUmaaak/pinterest-etiquette%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="300" height="250">In the online business of social networking, many sites are here today and gone tomorrow. Many would only dream of becoming as popular as Facebook, with over 1 billion active monthly users. I think the main reason for the popularity of certain social networks is that they have found a niche and cornered the market in that area. We all know why Facebook is so popular – because it helps people to see what their friends are up to at a given time, and is also a pass-time for many. <a title="Youtube" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/03/artists-video-promote-art-youtube.html">Youtube</a> is the main go to site for video. Linkedin is mainly used for professional networking. The main website for images among many is now Pinterest. Pinterest (nearly 49 million users) still hasn’t surpassed Flickr (87 million users) in popularity, but is quickly catching up. Pinterest’s quick growth is why I think it is important for artists to have at least some sort of presence there at this stage. Pinterest has grown by leaps and bounds in the past while, and is actually expanding its features to better serve users. They now have analytics for websites, and a brand new pages feature. The site also has a new streamlined layout. Pinterest updated their TOS a while back in response to an internet outcry from many concerned with them claiming ownership of images. It appears this site is in it for the long haul, and is set to compete with the likes of Facebook and Twitter. With the large influx of Pinterest users comes the issue of etiquette. Some things people do at other social networks would not be appropriate at Pinterest. Pinterest has created their own page with etiquette rules, to educate users on appropriate actions when pinning. I also have included some additional recommendations here as well.

Pinterest Etiquette - Rules to Follow When Pinning

In the online business of social networking, many sites are here today and gone tomorrow. Many would only dream of becoming as popular as Fa...

10 Artists Selected for our First Online Video Art Show

<img style="margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; float: left" title="online video art show" alt="online video art show" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-20m_SmXqDw0/UWbXNCwscEI/AAAAAAAAN88/8uwtSqeA4WQ/online-video-art-show%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="350" height="261">I am very honored to report that 10 artists have been selected for our very first curated online video art show! I received MANY submissions, and the task of going through these was a long and arduous process. Please note that if you were not included in this online exhibition, you still may be in a future video.     This first video is an eclectic mix of artworks from visual artists throughout the globe. The idea recently came to me to create specific slideshows based on theme or even medium. Some examples would include landscapes, abstracts, oil paintings, acrylics, etc. Future videos may be based on these themes or others – but I will still be creating similar diverse exhibitions such as this one. I am still accepting submissions for future videos, and will continue to do so. If you have not submitted yet, and would like to do so, please visit this page with the details: <a title="Curated Online Art Video" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/04/curated-online-art-video.html">Curated Online Art Video</a> <h3>Please Support the Artists!</h3> <a class="right" href="https://rc118.infusionsoft.com/go/video/artpromotivate" target="_blank" title="Promote Art with Video" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://artbizcoach.com/affiliate/video150x151.jpg" border="0" alt="Promote Art with Video"></a>Please support the artists by liking the video (hitting the thumbs up icon below the video at Youtube). Please also share the video at Facebook and anywhere else you want. If you have been selected, you can easily show off the video on your blog or Facebook page. Find instructions for this at: <a title="How to Get Likes for a Youtube Video" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/03/get-likes-views-youtube-video.html">How to Get Likes for a Youtube Video</a> I will not keep you waiting any longer. Here are the 10 talented artists selected for our first curated online art show.

10 Artists Selected for our First Online Video Art Show

I am very honored to report that 10 artists have been selected for our very first curated online video art show ! I received MANY submiss...

Sonali Kukreja Artist – Serene Paintings

Sonali Kukreja Austin, Texas, United States Mediums: Oil and acrylic Style: Contemporary   <img style="display: inline" title="Joy Sonali Kukreja Artist" alt="Joy Sonali Kukreja Artist" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3okX9ubKAHY/UWS57jXpZxI/AAAAAAAAN6c/SDTJ5Ekdfwc/Joy-Sonali-Kukreja-Artist%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="715">   Art to me is a way of life. It’s beautiful, intriguing, challenging, exciting, mysterious, joyful and simply wonderful. I was always drawn to art but I discovered my passion for art when I joined an art school to learn oil painting to enrich my learning experience. I further educated myself by painting and reading numerous books on <a title="drawing and painting" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/06/cool-drawing-and-painting-ideas-to.html">drawing and painting</a>. My main goal is that my art should not only look appealing or entertaining, but inspires and enhances life physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I want my art to be conversational pieces along with the beauty that they bring.

Sonali Kukreja Artist – Serene Paintings

Sonali Kukreja Austin, Texas, United States Mediums : Oil and acrylic Style : Contemporary Art to me is a way of life....

The Zen-yogi-cat-cow of Drawing

Every art student knows that drawing is an essential skill no matter what your media of choice. The importance of a <a title="daily sketchbook" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/01/artist-sketchbook-drawing-ideas-tips.html">daily sketchbook</a> has been emphasized forEVER! Some of us, however, are slow learners. I know this because I am a member of that recalcitrant group. In fact, I might be their poster child (although “child” is not exactly accurate). This year I connected with the amazingly talented Todd M. Casey, a classically trained representational oil painter who happens to live nearby. I emailed Todd to see if he was teaching in our area (he wasn’t) but he agreed to hold a small group workshop in my studio. Todd explained his atelier method of beginning classical painting with a comprehensive drawing followed by an ébauche or grisaille and then, finally, color. The drawing could take 8 – 20 hours! My reaction was, “We don’t have time for that. We’re old!” (not quite Grandma-Moses-old, but well beyond college age!) So we started right in painting. But Todd spent a lot of time (kindly) correcting our forms, explaining the geometry of light and shadow and measuring for accurate perspective… He explained that the time spent drawing is like taking practice swings at bat. Blank faces. Practice strokes before teeing up in golf? Team sports weren’t doing it for us. Yoga! Drawing is the cat-cow before down dog. Maybe not the same hand-eye coordination analogy, but a good warm up and muscle memory booster. And drawing definitely has a yoga-esque, Zen-like quality when you get in the zone. After struggling with our first <a title="oil painting" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/02/10-famous-love-paintings-and-sculptures.html">oil painting</a> without the cat-cow of careful drawing on paper, we did OK, but by the second painting everyone was convinced to draw first. All that time observing the subject creates an intimate awareness of relationships within the composition, patterns of shadow and light and a sense of perspective. It not just about accuracy, it’s about familiarity and it makes painting easier.   <img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Lorenze memory" alt="Lorenze memory" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6uCvcS8qG2Y/UWMQsm2SOII/AAAAAAAAN5Y/ECSdw0fcrlY/Lorenze_memory%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="560"> Drawing after Daniel Chester's "Memory" Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY

The Zen-yogi-cat-cow of Drawing

Every art student knows that drawing is an essential skill no matter what your media of choice. The importance of a daily sketchbook ha...

Ideas for Creating Pinterest Boards for Artists

<img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="creating pinterest boards" border="0" alt="creating pinterest boards" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9MVDISkSUc4/UWG9haaijZI/AAAAAAAAN5A/AJggk21hAeo/creating-pinterest-boards%25255B5%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="300" height="250">By now, most have heard of the hugely popular social network - visual book marking service Pinterest. Pinterest is one of the most visual sites on the net, making it perfect for artists. Adding to this is the fact that most pinners are obviously visually inclined. They use Pinterest because they love the amazing images contained within. Pinterest users love scanning through the huge array of imagery, and collecting (repinning) pictures for their own boards.   Pinterest boards are essentially albums of images, organized by topic similar to a scrapbook. This article discusses what Pinterest boards are all about, how to create them, and a list of ideas for boards artists can make.

Ideas for Creating Pinterest Boards for Artists

By now, most have heard of the hugely popular social network - visual book marking service Pinterest. Pinterest is one of the most visual si...

Teodora Totorean – Lyrical Abstract Paintings

Teodora Totorean United Kingdom Mediums: acrylic, mixed media (collage) Style: semi/lyrical abstract, naive   <img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="Big Tree Little Tree Teodora Totorean" alt="Big Tree Little Tree Teodora Totorean" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zRsku-Uqszw/UV-Ls_rlj7I/AAAAAAAAN4Y/eJWn1bc1tPI/Big-Tree-Little-Tree-Teodora-Totorean%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="556">   I was born in Romania and moved to the UK in 2005. I graduated from Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca with a BA in Romanian and Ethnology and an MA in Historical Anthropology. I have also studied Decorative Arts for a year, prior to my arrival in the UK. Between high school and university I had the opportunity to work as an Arts Supply Teacher at secondary level and I also created teaching materials for a kindergarten. Despite this, my studies and career took a different path until 2011 when I decided that art is what I always wanted to do.

Teodora Totorean – Lyrical Abstract Paintings

Teodora Totorean United Kingdom Mediums : acrylic, mixed media (collage) Style : semi/lyrical abstract, naive I was bor...

Accepting Submissions for Curated Online Art Video Exhibitions

<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hG7cP_XyVuc/UV4p-E1ciVI/AAAAAAAAN4A/Ybuokemlz8g/s1600-h/curated-online-video-exhibitions%25255B5%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: left; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="curated-online-video-exhibitions" border="0" alt="curated-online-video-exhibitions" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Et1laiJVK_8/UV4p_hHPHXI/AAAAAAAAN4I/ODKZyKzGjyw/curated-online-video-exhibitions_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="350" height="275"></a>I am very excited to be accepting submissions for our first ever Curated Online Art Video Exhibition. These exhibitions will be in slideshow format and promoted all over the web. This is completely FREE for artists. I will create these videos myself and spend the time promoting them. Below, I give all details on how you may enter your art for these specially curated art videos.   Slideshows are one of the often used methods of presenting artworks online. It is relatively easy to create a slideshow using sites like Flickr, Photobucket or Picasa. But, as I have explained in the past, a slideshow does not have to be tied to photo sharing websites. The slideshow can be created with video creation software and shared in video format, and promoted at Youtube and other video sharing websites. Text and captions can be added, and even background music.

Accepting Submissions for Curated Online Art Video Exhibitions

I am very excited to be accepting submissions for our first ever Curated Online Art Video Exhibition . These exhibitions will be in slide...

Samantha Lesley Abstract Artist

Samantha Lesley London, United Kingdom Mediums : Acrylic Style : Abstract My name is Samantha and I specialize in abstract...

How to Use Picasa to Create a Photo Collage for Facebook Cover Photo

Picasa is a free software and photo storage service from Google for viewing and editing photographs. Picasa can also be used to create videos and photo collages. For this tutorial, we will be explaining how to create a photo collage of artworks for a Facebook Page or profile.   <img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="create facebook cover photo picasa" alt="create facebook cover photo picasa" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kO6R2Tu5PmQ/UVjUZLHrI3I/AAAAAAAAN1w/eke9I-KR1BU/create-facebook-cover-photo-picasa5.png?imgmax=800" width="550" height="314">   <h3>How to Create A Facebook Timeline Cover Photo Using Picasa</h3> <ol> <li>If you do not have Picasa 3 already, download it from this link: Download <a title="Picasa 3.9" href="http://picasa.google.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Picasa 3.9</a> (windows version – a mac version is also available) </li> <li>Create a new folder, name it something that is easy to remember, and add all your artwork images to this folder. </li> <li>Open up Picasa 3. </li> <li>Find the folder in the left navigation, with the pictures you would like to include on your Facebook cover photo, and click on it once. All the images from the album should appear in your main window. </li></ol>

How to Use Picasa to Create a Photo Collage for Facebook Cover Photo

Picasa is a free software and photo storage service from Google for viewing and editing photographs. Picasa can also be used to create v...

50 Motivational Quotes about Success, Persistence, Excellence and More

This is a collection of 50 of the best motivating quotes on the topics of success, never giving up, taking action, patience, discouragement, criticism, excuses, self-doubt, procrastination and excellence. I love to read motivational quotes when I am feeling discouraged or in need of a little uplifting. The wisdom in these quotations motivate and inspire me to keep going, both with painting and writing at this blog. If you missed our previous quotations posts, you may view them here: <a title="Positive Thinking Quotes" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2013/08/positive-thinking-inspirational-quotes.html"> Positive Thinking Quotes </a> | <a title="Inspirational Art Quotes" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/09/famous-inspirational-art-quotes.html">Inspirational Art Quotes</a>   <img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" title="success motivational quote" alt="success motivational quote" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fJqUaHQBz0Y/UVjUDLUJEHI/AAAAAAAAN1I/4Os9W75lKUQ/success-motivational-quote%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="560" height="375">

50 Motivational Quotes about Success, Persistence, Excellence and More

This is a collection of 50 of the best motivating quotes on the topics of success, never giving up, taking action, patience, discourage...