Artpromotivate

Blast Off Your Art Career – ArtBizCoach Class

<img style="margin: 10px 14px 0px 0px; display: inline; float: left" title="Blast Off Your Art Career!" alt="Blast Off Your Art Career!" align="left" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMUfYKlG0ek/UDzotaektzI/AAAAAAAAHjY/od4KIwVFvgY/s320/blast-off.jpg" width="300" height="300"> Would you like a big boost for your art career? If you answered “YES!” then I would certainly recommend the new ArtBizCoach class “Blast Off!” to take place between September 5-28, 2012. The class is headed by Alyson B. Stanfield, art consultant and coach, owner of ArtBizBlog, and writer of I’d Rather be in the Studio. Each month Alyson holds a new class for artists, whereby she works with them on certain issues related to becoming a successful artist and marketing art. This months class is titled Blast Off! (Incidentally, this is the last time Alyson will be holding this particular class in this format!)   Learn much more about the Blast Off class here: BLAST OFF!

Blast Off Your Art Career – ArtBizCoach Class

Would you like a big boost for your art career? If you answered “YES!” then I would certainly recommend the new ArtBizCoach class “ Blast...

Powerpoint Tutorial for an Art Slideshow

Powerpoint Tutorial for an Art Slideshow

Microsoft Powerpoint is the most popular presentation software in the world. I have been viewing many of the Powerpoint slideshows at Slide...

Cheryl O - Artist Seeks to Share the Joy

<img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 14px 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="artist cherylo painting joy" border="0" alt="artist cherylo painting joy" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5yjyYAe3aP8/UD1l44uz_KI/AAAAAAAAHjw/Xnzka9r_yHg/artist-cherylo-painting-joy1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="482">Cheryl O Canada Artist Seeks to Share the Joy   I was a bit later getting into visual art, <a title="learning to draw" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/08/drawpj-learn-to-draw-and-paint.html" target="_blank">learning to draw</a> at age 39. The longing to do art had been in me forever, but the time and opportunity did not present till then. It didn't take long, and I was into deep water, or rather deep into watercolour, and soon added oil and acrylic to my art-song.     <table border="0" width="180"><tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="border-bottom: #dddddd 1px solid; border-left: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; border-top: #dddddd 1px solid; border-right: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-top: 10px; -webkit-border-radius: 10px; -moz-border-radius: 40px">Buddies ©Cheryl O </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table>

Cheryl O - Artist Seeks to Share the Joy

Cheryl O Canada Artist Seeks to Share the Joy I was a bit later getting into visual art, learning to draw at age 39. The longin...

Places and Spaces – Saatchi Online Showdown

<img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 14px 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="places spaces saatchi online" border="0" alt="places spaces saatchi online" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rRpK-vJ0xD4/UDxXBQ-_oaI/AAAAAAAAHh8/4iaD9-V5Lyk/places-spaces-saatchi-online5.png?imgmax=800" width="300" height="259">Saatchi Online holds a regular free <a title="art competition" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/02/juried-art-competition-entry-tips-2012.html" target="_blank">art competition</a> entitled the Showdown. The most recent one has just been announced and is titled Places and Spaces. The Showdown is an online art contest held by Saatchi Online whereby artists can compete with other artists for a chance for an <a title="art show" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/02/how-to-plan-art-show.html" target="_blank">art show</a> at Saatchi Gallery in London, England, along with great cash prizes. Submissions for Places and Spaces are open to all genres of visual art – painting, photography, sculpture, collage, etc.   Here is what Saatchi Online has to say about the theme “Places and Spaces”   <blockquote> What do we mean?  We are interested in the subject of personal locations. This can be interpreted in a variety of ways from depicting your studio, your hometown, or even where you see yourself in the future.  Don’t be afraid to think outside the box, some people consider home a person, an object or even a pet. We want to get a glimpse into your life and surroundings and see the location that best represents your space, be it mental or physical. </blockquote>

Places and Spaces – Saatchi Online Showdown

Saatchi Online holds a regular free art competition entitled the Showdown . The most recent one has just been announced and is titled Place...

Importance of Having a Plan for Promoting Art

<img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 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 promotion plan" border="0" alt="art promotion plan" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-e9TeovJXkGY/UDrOc6Mx8pI/AAAAAAAAHgc/4qQJbD640BU/art-promotion-plan5.png?imgmax=800" width="327" height="302">In the past I have shared many great websites and promotional opportunities with all of you. There are literally hundreds of ways for artists to <a title="promote art on the internet" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/04/10-places-to-network-and-promote-art.html">promote art on the internet</a>. It is easy to feel overwhelmed with all that is available. Of course, it is impossible to be active with everything the internet has to offer. Trying to do so may be one of the biggest mistakes an artist can make. You may find yourself spending much more time on the computer than in your studio. There certainly should be a balance between creation time and promotional time.   How can an artist who has just begun promoting art online know where to begin? Well, the first step should be to decide on a plan. A plan will help you focus your marketing efforts and zone in on what works for you. In past articles, I have been showing you some of what is available on the internet for artists. Use this to decide what works for yourself, your situation, and what <a title="goals you have for your art" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/02/goal-setting-how-to-achieve-your-goals.html">goals you have for your art</a> career. I will give some examples of some commonly used plans for art promotion, which should help you create your own.

Importance of Having a Plan for Promoting Art

In the past I have shared many great websites and promotional opportunities with all of you. There are literally hundreds of ways for artist...

Katerina Gorokhova – Figurative Paintings

<img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 10px auto 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="katerina gorokhova figurative paintings" border="0" alt="katerina gorokhova figurative paintings" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ue_Eexo9VsU/UDk1Pd_IxAI/AAAAAAAAHfA/-3VJZABw4po/katerina-gorokhovafigurative-paintin.jpg?imgmax=800" width="508" height="601"> <table border="0" width="180"><tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="border-bottom: #dddddd 1px solid; border-left: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; border-top: #dddddd 1px solid; border-right: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-top: 10px; -webkit-border-radius: 10px; -moz-border-radius: 40px">Lovers, 120x100, acrylic on canvas, 2011 ©Katerina Gorokhova</div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <h3 align="center">Figuarative Paintings by Russian Artist Katerina Gorokhova</h3>   <blockquote> Katerina Gorokhova was born in Moscow, she graduated from the Central St.Martin's School of Art and Design (The Byam Shaw Building) London, Great Britain, earning BA and Postgraduate Diplomas in Fine Art. She exhibited in Moscow, London, Berlin, New York, Toronto; she also curated exhibitions in London and Moscow (The Russian Academy of Arts). At the moment she lives, works and teaches art in Moscow area. Gorokhova's series "Simple moments" were displayed for a year in 2011 at PANAVTO, Mercedes-Benz showroom. In the year of 2011 there were articles published in such editions as "Russian gallery - the XXI century" 7-8 and PANAVTO: cars&people No6. Katerina Gorokhova’s work can be found in collections of Russia and abroad. </blockquote>

Katerina Gorokhova – Figurative Paintings

Lovers , 120x100, acrylic on canvas, 2011 ©Katerina Gorokhova Figuarative Paintings ...

ASC – A Singular Creation – Free Online Art Community

<img style="margin: 0px 14px 0px 0px; display: inline; float: left" title="asc singular creation art comunity" alt="asc singular creation art comunity" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iw6aSJOwNq8/UDf94vPLbII/AAAAAAAAHdg/lF6QL_8fiWw/asc-singular-creation-art-comunity5.png?imgmax=800" width="350" height="209">A Singular Creation (ASC) is a free online art community devoted to providing resources and promotion opportunities for all artists and photographers. With ASC, artists can add their own artwork to the site, keep track of new <a title="art competitions" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/04/artists-wanted-art-takes-times-square.html" target="_blank">art competitions</a>, and network with artists throughout the globe. ASC has a host of features, which I will talk about below. I created my own profile there, added some of my artworks, and I will show you how to do the same, along with explaining some of the most useful features. I recently spoke to ASC founder Joe Barrouk, and asked him a couple questions about A Singular Creation.

ASC – A Singular Creation – Free Online Art Community

A Singular Creation (ASC) is a free online art community devoted to providing resources and promotion opportunities for all artists and pho...

7 Twitter Tricks for Smart Tweeters 2012

<img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 14px 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="twitter tips and tricks" border="0" alt="twitter tips and tricks" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-p47GnTM2Scg/UDaZUg8aflI/AAAAAAAAHcM/Y6AT4lLvwXQ/twitter-tips-and-tricks4.png?imgmax=800" width="200" height="200">Twitter is a huge micro-blogging platform based on a very simple concept – sharing updates and thoughts throughout the day with a band of followers, hopefully all of which are interested in what you have to say. With 140 million users worldwide, this <a title="social network" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/08/pictify-pinterest-artist-social-network.html" target="_blank">social network</a> can be very useful to promote art to a focussed audience of followers who are interested in what you have to say. Of course, no social network is useful unless used in the right way. I have covered several tips on how to use Twitter effectively. Find this article here: <a title="Twitter Tips for Artists" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/02/posting-tweets-of-art-on-twitter-tips.html" target="_blank">Twitter Tips for Artists</a>  If you are interested in learning how to post  photographs of your art to Twitter, you may find a detailed tutorial here: <a title="Art on Twitter" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/03/how-to-add-images-to-twitter-art-on.html" target="_blank">Art on Twitter</a> What follows are a few tips and tricks for using Twitter effectively.

7 Twitter Tricks for Smart Tweeters 2012

Twitter is a huge micro-blogging platform based on a very simple concept – sharing updates and thoughts throughout the day with a band of fo...

Inside the Mind of Irish Artist Caroline Swaine–Donohoe

<img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 10px 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="caroline swaine donohoe irish artist" border="0" alt="caroline swaine donohoe irish artist" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gcSkzGUCu8U/UDUvgtrw1aI/AAAAAAAAHao/dZQt_EoybyE/caroline-swaine-donohoe-irish-artist%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="386">Caroline Swaine-Donohoe Ireland, Europe Talkative, Extrovert, Ambitious I am mainly a self-taught artist. I studied languages and literature in college, and then pursued a career in law, but I discovered that I couldn't let go of painting, and I decided to do it as a hobby. I didn’t realise how far it would go!   <table border="0" width="180"><tbody> <tr> <td> Skylight 8"x8" abstract Textured acrylic on boxed canvas ©Caroline Swaine-Donohoe </td> </tr> </tbody></table>     When was the first time you knew you were an artist?    When I was eight years old. I remember sitting in our playroom on a Saturday morning, my little sister watching cartoons on the TV, while I sat painting in Oils, a picture of boats in a harbour. I remember thinking how nice it felt, and I think it was that exact moment that I realised painting was natural to me.

Inside the Mind of Irish Artist Caroline Swaine–Donohoe

Caroline Swaine-Donohoe Ireland, Europe Talkative, Extrovert, Ambitious I am mainly a self-taught artist. I studied languages and lite...

Thomas Kinkade Controversy – Why do People Like His Paintings?

Thomas Kinkade Controversy – Why do People Like His Paintings?

I have been reading lots of harsh comments and criticism about the art of the late Thomas Kinkade , debasing his paintings. Some of these re...

How to Ship and Package Artwork Safely

<img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 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="how to package artwork" border="0" alt="how to package artwork" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RjzZXD47L88/UDLBMfLaPgI/AAAAAAAAHYQ/NKQ9G8ST0eU/how-to-package-artwork1.png?imgmax=800" width="370" height="257">It can be disappointing and heartbreaking both to the artist and the person receiving an artwork when they open it to <a title="find it damaged" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/03/how-do-you-react-to-damaged-art.html" target="_blank">find it damaged</a>. Artists should realize that packages sent though the postal services may be punctured, crushed, thrown, or dropped. So adequate precautions must be made to protect against all these instances.   Always expect the worst when shipping art, and go through all steps to make your piece as safe from physical harm as you possibly can. Packing artwork doesn’t have to be expensive. Artists can do it economically and safely with materials they have at home, or which can be purchased cheaply. Artworks must be securely packed and detailed instructions for packing and unpacking should be contained within. Realize that many times the staff at smaller galleries and <a title="art competitions" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/02/artist-call-for-entries-sites-list-2012.html" target="_blank">art competitions</a> are volunteers and inexperienced. They may have many pieces to examine. So the better you package your artwork and the more detailed your instructions are, the better impression you will give to these people who will be considering your work for exhibition. Here are some thing to consider when packaging your paintings and <a title="sculptures" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/01/piano-as-art-shaunaholiman-pennyputnam.html" target="_blank">sculptures</a> for shipping through postal services.

How to Ship and Package Artwork Safely

It can be disappointing and heartbreaking both to the artist and the person receiving an artwork when they open it to find it damaged . Ar...

Virginia Erdie – Abstract Art Based on Theories of Reality

Virginia Erdie – Abstract Art Based on Theories of Reality

Virginia Erdie - Abstract Art Based on Theories of Reality - String Theory, Hologram Theory, Fractal Theory With classical trainin...

Famous Canadian Painter Tom Thomson – Sketches and Influence

<img style="margin: 0px 14px 0px 0px; display: inline; float: left" title="tom thomson canadian painter" alt="tom thomson canadian painter" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5QiQx-9RaaU/UDANbVs5AcI/AAAAAAAAHU0/R-fk8f01Bug/tom-thomson-canadian-painter%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="300" height="371">Every country has its legendary artists. When you think of iconic British artists, names like JMW Turner and William Hogarth may come to mind. For the USA, the most famous recognized names would undoubtedly be such artists as Jackson Pollock, Norman Rockwell, and Andy Warhol. Canada has had many influential artists, but none have had the impact on Canadian art which Tom Thomson had. I realize there may be some readers who have not even heard of Tom Thomson, especially those from other parts of the world. So, I will give you a brief background on Tom Thomson, and also give you an opportunity to let us know about your own favourite artists at the end of this article.

Famous Canadian Painter Tom Thomson – Sketches and Influence

Every country has its legendary artists. When you think of iconic British artists, names like JMW Turner and William Hogarth may come to min...

7 Ways to Use Facebook to Promote Your Art

I have been using a Facebook page to promote my art for a long time now. I have also marketed my art by means of my profile, Facebook Market...

David Perl – Retired Art Director Turned Digital Artist

<img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 10px 14px 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="david perl digital artist" border="0" alt="david perl digital artist" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oD_e7Tu6XQw/UC6lJlzjTiI/AAAAAAAAHRk/EdlH11iPeNE/david-perl-digital-artist.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="333">David Perl Northeast, USA Retired Art Director Turned Digital Artist   From college to work. Did 50 years in the creative side of advertising, print & TV as an award winning art director, creative director & commercial TV director. Retired and turned to art. <table border="0" width="180"><tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="border-bottom: #dddddd 1px solid; border-left: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; border-top: #dddddd 1px solid; border-right: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-top: 10px; -webkit-border-radius: 10px; -moz-border-radius: 40px">Balloons ©David Perl</div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table>   <h3>When was the first time you knew you were an artist?</h3> About 7 or 8 years old. I was constantly sending Walt Disney story and drawings for new animated films. Don't think they were any good as he never got back to me?

David Perl – Retired Art Director Turned Digital Artist

David Perl Northeast, USA Retired Art Director Turned Digital Artist From college to work. Did 50 years in the creative side of ad...

DrawPj – Learn to Draw and Paint Certificate Course – Part 2

<img style="margin: 10px 14px 0px 0px; display: inline; float: left" title="learn drawing and painting" alt="learn drawing and painting" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-A3ejVLFdUzg/UC2OEQoi_WI/AAAAAAAAHP8/PBZjLT-ET4I/learn-drawing-and-painting.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="495">This is part 2 of our interview with Cindy Wider, co-founder of <a title="DrawPJ.com" href="http://bit.ly/PalCFg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DrawPJ.com</a>, the Complete Drawing and Painting Certificate Course. Part 1 can be found here: <a title="DrawPJ Cindy Wider Interview" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/08/drawpj-cindy-wider-interview.html" target="_blank">DrawPJ Cindy Wider Interview</a> – Part 1               <table border="0" width="180"><tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="border-bottom: #dddddd 1px solid; border-left: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; border-top: #dddddd 1px solid; border-right: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-top: 10px; -webkit-border-radius: 10px; -moz-border-radius: 40px">Canyon Falls Blessing, Acrylic on canvas, 18 x 24 inches, World Champion – Second Prize, Tannis Trydal</div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table>       <h3 align="center">What do you have to offer for aspiring artists wanting to learn how to draw or paint?</h3>   <img style="margin: 0px 0px 7px 14px; display: inline; float: right" title="Cindy Wider DrawPJ" alt="Cindy Wider DrawPJ" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BAGNGCmFy4g/UC2OFJk49DI/AAAAAAAAHQE/HfD3UK_1HuA/cindy-wider-drawpj%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240">Draw even while you think you can’t and smile so that you relax your entire upper torso. <a title="Learning to draw" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/01/artist-sketchbook-drawing-ideas-tips.html" target="_blank">Learning to draw</a> requires a very delicate mental shift, it’s not a huge shift like many people think. We are all born with the ability to learn how to draw and all you have to do is include the logical, reasoning logical part of your brain in the process. Whenever you sit down to draw ask yourself questions about the image or object you are using as a reference source.

DrawPj – Learn to Draw and Paint Certificate Course – Part 2

This is part 2 of our interview with Cindy Wider, co-founder of DrawPJ.com , the Complete Drawing and Painting Certificate Course. Part 1 ...

Paulo Themudo – A Simple Man Who Cannot Live Without Art

<img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 10px auto 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="paulo themudo live without art" border="0" alt="paulo themudo live without art" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D0X82Ob-qBw/UCwwhF4hlbI/AAAAAAAAHOo/62cpVvbIaAw/paulo-themudo-live-without-art8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="419"> <table border="0" width="180"><tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="border-bottom: #dddddd 1px solid; border-left: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; border-top: #dddddd 1px solid; border-right: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-top: 10px; -webkit-border-radius: 10px; -moz-border-radius: 40px">Carnaval na Bruma      ©Paulo Themudo</div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <h3 align="center">Paulo Themudo - A Simple Man Who Cannot Live Without Art</h3>       I’m a Portuguese painter. Since the age of 8 years old that i live with the draws, the mix of the colors and the enthusiasm for the arts. A very impulsive child that use to run looking for a paper to draw and paint. Along the years I just put in action what I really feel that was my way, so, I have learned with some masters and colleges. For me life without my art just don’t make sense.

Paulo Themudo – A Simple Man Who Cannot Live Without Art

Carnaval na Bruma ©Paulo Themudo Paulo Themudo - A Simple Man Who Cannot Live ...

DrawPj.com - Interview with Course Founder Cindy Wider

<img style="margin: 10px 14px 0px 0px; display: inline; float: left" title="cindy wider drawpj" alt="cindy wider drawpj" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WbfUht--4nQ/UCqKx0sbZ6I/AAAAAAAAHL4/wP6cQnqxv-c/cindy-wider-drawpj.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="465">Cindy Wider is the co-founder of <a title="DrawPj.com" href="http://bit.ly/PalCFg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DrawPj.com</a> along with her husband Stuart Wider. Cindy is a multi-awarding winning artist and the author of 37 e-books that form the ‘Complete Drawing and Painting Certificate Course.’ She is also the author of the soft cover book titled ‘Paint In Your Pyjamas - every woman’s guide to finding your life purpose through art.’ Cindy and Stuart, along with their team of dedicated professionals help hundreds of people <a title="learn to draw and paint" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/04/fun-art-websites-for-kids-learn-how-to.html" target="_blank">learn to draw and paint</a> who previously never believed it was possible for them. <table border="0" width="180"><tbody> <tr> <td> Jayne and Look-a-like Doll, Graphite on vellum, 10x12 inches ©Scott Kunkle, Most Promising Artist – DrawPj Art Competition 2012 </td> </tr> </tbody></table>   <h3 align="center">What is <a title="DrawPj.com" href="http://bit.ly/PalCFg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">DrawPJ.com</a>?</h3>   <img style="margin: 0px 0px 0px 14px; display: inline; float: right" title="Cindy Wider Art Curriculum Designer" alt="Cindy Wider Art Curriculum Designer" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OR3Vu3ULpsw/UCshFbAsSbI/AAAAAAAAHNw/zUuwLFEHTnM/cindy-wider-art-curriculum-designer%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="240">DrawPj means Draw in your Pyjama Time ™ (those little blocks of time that we often fritter away, usually while we are in our pyjamas.) DrawPj.com is a caring and supportive online community where we encourage people to use their Pyjama Time to learn to draw and paint rather than waiting for the big blocks of time that never seem to come.   People come to us with all different levels of level of ability and we help them learn to draw and paint at a professional level in the shortest amount of time possible while experiencing a wonderful life-changing journey along the way.

DrawPj.com - Interview with Course Founder Cindy Wider

Cindy Wider is the co-founder of DrawPj.com along with her husband Stuart Wider. Cindy is a multi-awarding winning artist and the author of...

Two More FREE Art Promotion Opportunities for Artists

Two More FREE Art Promotion Opportunities for Artists

One of the primary goals of Artpromotivate is to promote artists for free. As long as this site exists, I will always feature artists here w...

Paul Crimi - A Lifelong Affair with Art

<img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 10px auto 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="paul crimi affair with art" border="0" alt="paul crimi affair with art" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e_PkyY2ClbE/UCg_16bk6pI/AAAAAAAAHJY/3rohZO7zjzM/paul-crimi-affair-with-art1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="520" height="391"> <table border="0" width="180"><tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="border-bottom: #dddddd 1px solid; border-left: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; border-top: #dddddd 1px solid; border-right: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-top: 10px; -webkit-border-radius: 10px; -moz-border-radius: 40px">Lupines at Sunset         ©Paul Crimi</div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <h3 align="center">Paul Crimi - A Lifelong Affair with Art</h3>   "Life is a precious gift that I love and hold dear~ and my Art is the best way to express my appreciation for the joy, happiness and wonderful blessings in my life" I am first a modern contemporary impressionistic artist - I enjoy abstraction, sculpture and assemblages as well. I have explored every avenue of art for my entire life. I am a member of the Boston Printmakers.

Paul Crimi - A Lifelong Affair with Art

Lupines at Sunset ©Paul Crimi Paul Crimi - A Lifelong Affair with Art ...

How Artists Can Make Art That Will Sell

<img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 14px 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="make art to sell" border="0" alt="make art to sell" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iFjtn207IvE/UCbGBfyeMvI/AAAAAAAAHH0/k9QKNv-fmd0/make-art-to-sell5.png?imgmax=800" width="300" height="364">Figuring out what kind of art that sells or doesn’t is a big concern for many artists. There is so much involved and many factors which affects selling. Finding <a title="Art buyers" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/01/where-can-i-find-buyers-for-my-art.html" target="_blank">art buyers</a> may seem overwhelming and frustrating, especially at the initial stages. But, as artists, we do not usually create just for the money. We make art because we love it… because through art we let our voice be heard in the world. This is something that goes far deeper than earning a living from art. For artists who <a title="make art" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/07/excuses-making-art-being-artist.html" target="_blank">make art</a> purely for enjoyment, this article is not intended to discourage you from what you are doing. I think this is an honourable thing to do. Neither do I think making art specifically to sell is always what is termed “selling out”.   What follows are some things to consider for creating art that people will buy.

How Artists Can Make Art That Will Sell

Figuring out what kind of art that sells or doesn’t is a big concern for many artists . There is so much involved and many factors which aff...

Overview and Features of Foliotwist – Websites for Artists

<img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 14px 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="foliotwist artist websites" border="0" alt="foliotwist artist websites" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V6JgI7Tx1II/UCWNcrVQN1I/AAAAAAAAHEE/QgLA96JaBYM/foliotwist-artist-websites5.png?imgmax=800" width="351" height="311">I have taken a look at many <a title="artist website" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/02/priority-list-for-online-artist-success.html" target="_blank">artist website</a> services in the past, many of which I have mentioned here at <a title="Artpromotivate" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/01/site-tour-artists-promotion-motivate.html" target="_blank">Artpromotivate</a>. I recently had an opportunity to view the Foliotwist administration panel, and am very impressed with all that is included (see video below). Foliotwist has everything an artist would need to promote their art, all in one place. They have a portfolio, art blog, integrated Paypal buttons, free <a title="domain" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/01/choosing-domain-name-for-artist-website.html" target="_blank">domain</a>, unlimited uploads, and much more. I will go into detail about some of these features, along with others below.   There are two different payment plans, which are displayed below, along with a risk free trial period of 10 days. For those who need extra help with promoting and <a title="using SEO" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/01/how-to-optimize-images-of-art-for-seo.html" target="_blank">using SEO</a> on their website, they can sign up for the Starter Website which includes 50 Traffic Booster lessons, weekly critiques of your Foliotwist website, and direct email support from the founders. To check out Foliotwist before reading on, please <a title="go here" href="http://foliotwist.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">go here</a>.

Overview and Features of Foliotwist – Websites for Artists

I have taken a look at many artist website services in the past, many of which I have mentioned here at Artpromotivate . I recently had an ...

Spotlight on Norfolk UK Artist Justin Barnard

<img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 10px 14px 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="norfolk uk artist justin barnard" border="0" alt="norfolk uk artist justin barnard" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AXx4WeLa1vk/UCRa00qbVzI/AAAAAAAAHCw/xa0vi5_UPcA/norfolk-uk-artist-justin-barnard6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="434">Justin Barnard Norfolk UK Seeking, loving, flying   I am a 51 year old accountant/artist/writer. Thirty years ago I was only 21. I am still working on that. I loved painting birds when I was a boy. I went on an activity holiday in Greece when I was 34 and picked up a paint brush again not knowing what to expect. The workshop leader, Robert Venosa, a man of few words, didn't say Goodbye at the end of the course, he just said "Paint!"   <table border="0" width="180"><tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="border-bottom: #dddddd 1px solid; border-left: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; border-top: #dddddd 1px solid; border-right: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-top: 10px; -webkit-border-radius: 10px; -moz-border-radius: 40px">Drumcliffe Churchyard ©Justin Barnard</div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table>

Spotlight on Norfolk UK Artist Justin Barnard

Justin Barnard Norfolk UK Seeking, loving, flying I am a 51 year old accountant/artist/writer. Thirty years ago I was only 21. I...

How to Use Ebay to Find Great Deals on Art Supplies

<img style="margin: 0px 14px 0px 0px; display: inline; float: left" title="ebay art supply deal" alt="ebay art supply deal" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vyZtAuRZ-Vw/UCL52-BGl2I/AAAAAAAAHBs/SfYm5yUOOE8/ebay-art-supply-deal7.png?imgmax=800" width="350" height="310">I have been using <a title="Ebay" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/07/artist-guide-to-setting-up-ebay-auction.html" target="_blank">Ebay</a> occasionally for a few years to buy various items I needed. Recently, I have been running low on many of my oil paint colors. I have been checking out a few online stores, as the nearest <a title="art supply" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/03/how-to-make-free-money-for-art-supplies.html" target="_blank">art supply</a> shop is a four hour drive from where I live. I tried ordering from a couple online stores, but after checking out my cart, the shipping is usually way too high. I also dislike the added fees by customs when ordering from another country.

How to Use Ebay to Find Great Deals on Art Supplies

I have been using Ebay occasionally for a few years to buy various items I needed. Recently, I have been running low on many of my oil pain...

How to Get Your Website Seen on Google and Bing

How to Get Your Website Seen on Google and Bing

Building a website without a way to be found on Google and Bing is like building a business in the middle of nowhere, without roads, telepho...

Jivan Lee – Thickly Painted, Mindfully Mindless

<img style="margin: 14px auto 0px; display: block; float: none" title="jivian lee paintings" alt="jivian lee paintings" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jy9jgnbxpF8/UCA23nOeP9I/AAAAAAAAG8s/EuzsmRKM7xs/jivian-lee-paintings1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="564" height="374"> <table border="0" width="180"><tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="border-bottom: #dddddd 1px solid; border-left: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; border-top: #dddddd 1px solid; border-right: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-top: 10px; -webkit-border-radius: 10px; -moz-border-radius: 40px">Orilla Verde at Rio Grande, triptych; 48" x 78", 2011, walnut oils (impasto) on linen ©Jivan Lee</div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> I was born in Woodstock, NY, in 1984 when the festival was a memory and Woodstock was just a quiet little artist colony again. After a country-boy childhood I attended Bard College and studied painting with Joseph Santore and Laura Battle. I had a full-tuition scholarship in science, though, so I ended up with two degrees - a BA in biology and an MS in environmental policy. After graduate school focused again on art and started painting full time in New York. I've been painting pretty much ever since (except for a break when I moved to New Mexico). I owe a lot especially to the people and land of Taos, NM -- Taos is where I rediscovered my passion for painting and started finding a voice that feels like my own.

Jivan Lee – Thickly Painted, Mindfully Mindless

Pictify – Pinterest Styled Artist Social Network

With the popularity of Pinterest, many Pinterest clones have been popping up. One such social media site is Pictify – but this one is gear...

How Artists Can Promote Art With Google Plus Pages in 2012

<img style="margin: 5px 14px 0px 0px; display: inline; float: left" title="artists on google" alt="artists on google" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1Amyu6nxsCw/UB1MLCVxZKI/AAAAAAAAG5c/7fvDq1nTBic/artists-on-google5.png?imgmax=800" width="350" height="222">Google Plus pages have been around for awhile now and many artists are using them in their <a title="art promotion" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/p/table-of-contents-artpromotivate.html" target="_blank">art promotion</a> regimen. <a title="Artpromotivate" href="https://plus.google.com/106550759710287397669/posts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Artpromotivate</a> has a page of its own, and I also have a page for my art. At the moment, Google+ pages aren’t even close to the popularity of Facebook pages.       There are over 42 million <a title="Facebook pages" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/03/how-to-increase-activity-and-engagement.html" target="_blank">Facebook pages</a> according to one source, while the number of Google+ pages is far less than this. Why then would artists consider being active on a social network with far less users? The answer to this question lies in engagement, activity, and professionalism. Google+ is actually ranked higher than Facebook in a recent customer satisfaction poll. It is apparent that many Facebook users are becoming annoyed by the frequent changes – especially the mandatory <a title="Timeline feature for Facebook pages" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/02/new-timeline-design-for-facebook-pages.html" target="_blank">Timeline feature for Facebook pages</a>. Many are choosing to place more emphasis on their Google+ page. Google+ is being talked about all over the place, and it may be a very good idea to use them for art promotion if you aren’t already – as they could very well be the social media platform of choice in the future. I will discuss some of the perks of Google plus pages in 2012 for art promotion, and how artists can use them to brand themselves and their art business.

How Artists Can Promote Art With Google Plus Pages in 2012

Google Plus pages have been around for awhile now and many artists are using them in their art promotion regimen. Artpromotivate has a p...

Karen Smith: Introducing Photo Art Station - Poster and Canvas Art

<img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 14px 14px 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="karensmith poster canvas art" border="0" alt="karensmith poster canvas art" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qK3QEJUURSI/UBwiq8vzQHI/AAAAAAAAG4M/gkcBY8UT9RI/karensmith-poster-canvas-art1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="474">Karen Smith South Yorkshire, UK Introducing Photo Art Station - Poster and Canvas Art   I am an artist with a passion to share my art ideas and <a title="develop my creativity" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/03/20-art-inspiration-ideas-for-creativity.html" target="_blank">develop my creativity</a>. I have always been a very creative person, I realised that being a musician wasn't enough and needed a further 'literal' string to my bow, and after setting my ideas to paper, realised I had a passion for art that I needed to express.   <table border="0" width="180"><tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="border-bottom: #dddddd 1px solid; border-left: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; border-top: #dddddd 1px solid; border-right: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-top: 10px; -webkit-border-radius: 10px; -moz-border-radius: 40px">Rock Moves ©Karen Smith</div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table>

Karen Smith: Introducing Photo Art Station - Poster and Canvas Art

Karen Smith South Yorkshire, UK Introducing Photo Art Station - Poster and Canvas Art I am an artist with a passion to share my ar...

EBSQ – Online Self-Represented Artist Community

EBSQ – Online Self-Represented Artist Community

I have recently been introduced to ESBQ , a community site for online self-representing artists. In examining all the great features for s...

10 Things Artists Should NOT Do When Promoting Art on Facebook

<img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; margin: 10px 14px 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="things not to do on facebook" border="0" alt="things not to do on facebook" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QVAVcpIJpDg/UBmTIpJapOI/AAAAAAAAG10/4_muLTaSYO8/things-not-to-do-on-facebook6.png?imgmax=800" width="350" height="350">Facebook is currently the largest social network with over one billion active monthly users. With such a huge number, it is no wonder that many artists spend so much time there <a title="marketing art" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/06/selling-art-best-places-to-sell-art.html" target="_blank">marketing art</a> to the masses. Making a good impression is just as important on social media websites as it is in the real world. If we annoy people with continuous posting, this gives us a bad image which some may remember for a long time. Remember, <a title="Facebook" href="http://www.artpromotivate.com/2012/05/11-tips-and-tricks-to-get-facebook-fans.html" target="_blank">Facebook</a> is a public site and it doesn’t take much for something to be seen by thousands of eyes, especially if it is controversial.     While we promote art on Facebook, we must protect our online reputation, and follow standard web etiquette. Be careful what you post, and avoid doing these things I mention below.

10 Things Artists Should NOT Do When Promoting Art on Facebook

Facebook is currently the largest social network with over one billion active monthly users . With such a huge number, it is no wonder that ...

DUST Painting Series by Maia Stefana Oprea

<img style="margin: 10px 14px 0px 0px; display: inline; float: left" title="dust painting maia oprea" alt="dust painting maia oprea" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-JrbSd-2rQOI/UBg-jXvIHsI/AAAAAAAAG0c/vI-VfCsojv0/dust-painting-maia-oprea1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="370" height="313">Maia Oprea Bucharest, Romania DUST Painting Series  I am a Romanian artist aged 24. I was born in Bucharest, exactly 2 years after the abolishment of communism.     <table border="0" width="180"><tbody> <tr> <td> <div style="border-bottom: #dddddd 1px solid; border-left: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; border-top: #dddddd 1px solid; border-right: #dddddd 1px solid; padding-top: 10px; -webkit-border-radius: 10px; -moz-border-radius: 40px">Dust XII ©Maia Opre</div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table>       <blockquote> After attending the Bucharest Fine Art High School "N.Tonitza", I started a BFA at the Savannah College of Art and Design, in the quiet university town Savannah, on the U.S. east coast, in the state of Georgia. Feeling that the American success was standing one inch above my head and all I had to do was to decorate it with glitter in order to hide the classic stamp of "alien citizen", while constantly sharpening my smile, I preferred to go back to my native country, in order to study painting at the National University of Arts in Bucharest, which I will now finish in...about 2 weeks. During 2010-2011 I was recipient of an ERASMUS scholarship at Ecole Superieure d'Art de Grenoble, in the heart of the French Alps. A second uprooting, a second start, another set of suitcases. I ran whip and spur from the french. The verdict? I was a walking bomb, coming from another century in a country where conceptualism is being eaten at the morning breakfast. But both in the United States and in France, I have benefited from an excellent academic environment of a bewildering diversity, artistically and technically equipped to the highest standards.Thus, I could experiment freely, without limits. </blockquote>

DUST Painting Series by Maia Stefana Oprea

Maia Oprea Bucharest, Romania DUST Painting Series I am a Romanian artist aged 24. I was born in Bucharest, exactly 2 years after ...