Friday, December 30, 2011

SOMETHING NEW IS COMING TO ARTISTS IN BLOGLAND

MOST OF THIS IS COPIED FROM AN EARLIER POST BUT NOT MANY MEMBERS LOOKED AT IT...(BAD TIMING) AND THERE'S A NEW POLL  INCLUDED AT THE BOTTOM THAT I'D LOVE TO SEE YOU ANSWER...
Something new is coming to Artists In Blogland and I’m here to invite YOU to participate.

Joni Nickrent, of Pop Art Minis, made a suggestion that we have a monthly challenge based on a different theme each month.
I think this is a GReat idea, so even though Joni initiated it, I’m going to instigate it!!!
You may have been to other web sites that offer challenges such as this one…so I’m wondering…if you have any ideas to tweak OUR challenge…that will make it just a bit more exciting.
I’ve thought about asking our members to donate a gift to award to a monthly winner…who will win by popular vote. 
It would need to be something lightweight and small so it won’t cost a fortune to mail across the world – but that would be up to the giver.
What do you think?!? 
Pretty please with a cherry on top…share your thoughts and ideas with us!!!
THIS IS THE PART WHERE THE POLL COMES IN...
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE A MONTHLY WINNER...OR NOT?!?

AND IF THERE IS A MONTHLY WINNER...SHOULD WE  AWARD A GIFT?

AND IF WE AWARD A GIFT...ARE YOU WILLING TO DONATE SOMETHING AND MAIL IT TO THE WINNER AND/OR FIND A SPONSOR THAT WOULD DO IT?
PLEASE ANSWER THE POLL SOON BECAUSE JANUARY 2K12 IS UPON US!!!
HAPPY, HAPPY, WONDERFUL, ART-FILLED, JOYFUL NEW YEAR TO ALL...

Stay tuned for the January theme. 
Create Your Life,
annie!





Do you think we should have a winner for our monthly theme challenge?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Don\'t Care




Would you be willing to provide a prize for a giveaway or monthly theme challenge winner?
  • Yes
  • No
  • Stop bothering me!

Please leave your name and info about prize if you are willing to be a part of that. Thanks!

Friday, December 23, 2011

Show and Tell Saturday #16

This is the 16th Show and Tell Saturday!
Add your link telling us about your week of art making. Link to any post you have made this week. We'd appreciate a link back to Artists in Blogland.

This Show and Tell will run for 2 WEEKS to give us a chance to catch up for the holidays.







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AIB LOW-DOWN


Something new is coming to Artists In Blogland and I’m here to invite YOU to participate.
Joni Nickrent, of Pop Art Minis, made a suggestion that we have a monthly challenge based on a different theme each month.

I think this is a GReat idea, so even though Joni initiated it, I’m going to instigate it!!!

You may have been to other web sites that offer challenges such as this one…so I’m wondering…if you have any ideas to tweak OUR challenge…that will make it just a bit more exciting.

I’ve thought about asking our members to donate a gift to award to a monthly winner…who will win by popular vote. 

It would need to be something lightweight and small so it won’t cost a fortune to mail across the world – but that would be up to the giver.

What do you think?!? 

Pretty please with a cherry on top…share your thoughts and ideas with us!!!

I’m gonna try thinking outside the box and can’t WAIT to see what you-all produce!!!

Stay tuned for the January theme. 

Create Your Life,

annie!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

CREATIVELY FEATURED - JO MURRAY


Jo Murray has graciously answered interview questions and provided me with pictures of her gorgeous work - which I definitely want to see more of and know you will too! And you can! At her blog...here.

Enjoy!...
White Roses – one of my very first oil paintings, still hanging on the wall of a friend’s home.

1.Tell us about blogging and how it’s worked for you.
I only began blogging at the beginning of this year. Since then I have found sooooo many like-minded friends both local and further away.  Having my blog address on my business card has also made it easy for gallery owners to see what I do, and judge whether my work would be up to their standards.  This has led to many extra exhibitions this year, and I have never had  so much success. 

2.How did you discover your favorite art medium?
A late starter, I only began my artistic journey by accident. I wanted to spend my evenings constructively while my husband studied for his job. So, I joined a local community art/craft class where I wanted to learn macrame (that's how old I am readers!... does anyone do this anymore?)  When I saw the 'painters' and smelled the oil paint, I was determined to learn art.
I went to a 'hobby' class for a while, painting gum trees and sheep, and floral arrangements, but soon realized that I would need more expert tuition if I wanted to improve. Thus the real journey began. I signed up for four years of Art School.
Art school introduced me to more expressive way of painting, AND they made us use acrylics.  Goodbye oil paint!…. acrylics works so well with my way of painting.  Give me some fabulous colours, some modelling paste, a few collage materials and there’s no stopping me.

North Coast Hills – a more expressive acrylic painting, done when I first began art school.


3.What inspires or influences you artistically?
Anything and everything!  Ideas rage through my head so much, that I must seem quite distracted when I’m in the company of others…. some texture on a tree, a poem, a glimpse of a shop window as I pass.
I browse the web looking at art from all around the world, and find it all amazing and most definitely inspiring. Artists whose blogs I follow all provide me with links to wonderful creative work.
4.How do you go about the design process? Do you work to a design or theme or just  go with the flow…or something else entirely?
It depends.  I actually use both ways of working… sometimes at the same time.  I often prepare papers with gesso and add layers of paint and varnish.  The paint might be applied by brushing, dripping, rolling or however I feel. These often form the background for my abstract works. 
If I am planning a more realist work I paint in a more traditional way, mapping out the composition first. 
I like to work to a theme if possible… it adds coherence to your work.

Rainforest – art school also introduced me to other mediums.  In this work there is ink, gouache, acrylic, and pastels.  It was a new concept for me to use several mediums in one work.

5.Is/was there a significant turning point or defining moment in your style of work?
Definitely!  I took up pottery in the early days in order to finance my love for painting.  It worked so well that I did much more potting than painting.  This year I have given it up and, as a result, the extra time and brainpower I put into painting has seen my work improve amazingly. This will be my defining year as a ‘real’ painter.

6.Which aspect of your art do you enjoy most?
I can’t describe the absolute joy of moving a brush, loaded with fabulous colour, across a blank canvas in the first stages of a painting.  It gives me a sense of anticipation like no other. To see an image through to resolution is a wonderful journey.

Southbank – based on an aerial view of Southbank in Brisbane.  One of my first successful semi-abstract works.

7.Can you tell us a little about your methods and/or techniques?
I guess I have already, although I guess I forgot to say that we all should do more drawing.  Understanding the way a flower grows, how a cat sits, how a person glances over his/her shoulder gives truth to your work. Yes, you can distort but, to make your image read well, that understanding is crucial.

8.How do you see your future work and style developing?
I seem to be leaning more towards abstract work, tho’ occasionally I revert.  I find that it is more difficult to get an emotion into this type of painting, and there lies the challenge.

9.How do you manage your time?
With great difficulty.  I am getting older and have less energy than previously.  I try to begin early in the morning while I am fresh.  I allocate at least two days each week when I can do that and any other time I can snatch between housework, garden and other chores.  Of course, somewhere in there is time for gallery crawls with friends, or just socializing.  A nap in the afternoon is a great reviver.

Three Arches – a very recent abstract work.

10.What have you done this past year?
Lots!  I was in the 13th Annual International Collage Exchange. I was a finalist in a national art competition for the first time (there’s hope yet). I had an exhibition in a new gallery, and have been part of the December group showing in another.  There have also been many competitions and awards throughout the year.  I enter whatever I have time for and this year has been particularly busy.  I have come home with lots of certificates, and dollars, from most. It has been a very successful 2011.

11.What are your artistic highlights?
I once had a painting in a show at the Sydney Opera House.  I was delighted to be shown in such a  prestigious place. 

My being chosen as a finalist in the Lethbridge 10000 was definitely a highlight.

I’m hoping that the real highlights are yet to come.

12.Have you exhibited work or taught classes?
I exhibit regularly.  Seeing your work hanging with your peers is one of the best ways to judge your progress. I don’t wish to teach as that would take me away from my studio.

A Face At The Window – one of the collages in last year’s International Collage Exchange.

13.What artistic plans do you have for the coming year?
I hope to enter some larger award competitions, and perhaps collaborate with a friend on an exhibition in one of our Regional Galleries.  I will be submitting collages to the 14th International Collage Exchange (http://outofsight.co.nz/Dale/collage.html), and perhaps participating in a few blog challenges. 

14.Do you have any ambitions or goals you’d like to see fulfilled in the future?

Absolutely!  It has always been a goal to have work in our Regional Gallery, and perhaps this will be the year?  I would love to win a prestigious Art Prize, but that is in the lap of the gods.  I will certainly be working on it.

Thanks Jo!.....
Create Your Life...

annie!

Monday, December 19, 2011

Weekend Spotlight

How's everyone doing?  Are you getting ready for the holidays?  Are you making some time for art?

Here are a few highlights from this past weekend.


Tracey  has a new link party-- Paint Palette Thursday which looks like fun.  I will have to join in sometime soon!



Friday, December 16, 2011

Show and Tell Saturday! #15

You know the drill!  Add your link telling us about your week of art making.  Link to any post you have made this week.  We'd appreciate a link back to Artists in Blogland.  Question for you:  Would anyone like to host a giveaway of a piece of their art?  I'm going to put a giveaway up soon.






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Monday, December 12, 2011

Friday, December 9, 2011

Etsy Shops, Online Sales, E-courses, etc..

Hi all! 

I just added a new page to the top of the blog.  It is a place where you can add a link for an Etsy shop, your online sales page, e-courses or anything else you sell.  The links MUST be art, supplies or related to creative living.  Anything else will be deleted.  Promote your art here!

Some day one of my goals is to set up an Etsy shop.  I haven't done so yet, but it would be fun to talk about any tips you have or your experiences selling.

What kinds of things do you find sell best?
How do you price your art?
How do you promote your shop?
Any tips for new sellers?

I can compile a list of tips if you add your experiences to this post.

Show and Tell Saturday #14

Hello Artists in Blogland!!  Welcome to our 14th Show and Tell Saturday!  I like to put the post up on Fridays and then you will have some time to put up your link.  You can spend Saturdays looking at the wonderful links.  I just wanted to also invite you to share with us any special projects you want help with (like a collaborative project, link party, swap or zine, or whatever you have in mind) or if you are putting out a fun new online workshop and want to let everyone know.  If you email me, Marcia, I would be happy to write a post that shares your idea with everyone.

Be sure to check out Featuring! magazine submission guidelines, which was started by one of our lovely members, Marit.  (I'm also happy to say that I was accepted as a contributing editor for the magazine.)  Featuring magazine is looking for artwork submissions for the theme of "Applause", but there are other categories you can enter as well.  I have a feeling this magazine is going to be full of delicious artwork.

What to do:


1. Write a post about your creative week.

2. Add your link to the list below.

3. The link MUST be to a specific blog post, not the general link to your blog.

4. You can double up... post about challenges you participated in or post to another sharing group as well, but in your blog post, please include a link back to Artists in Blogland. This will encourage other people to check out Artists in Blogland.

5. Visit other people's posts and check out what they are doing. 

6. Also, feel free to check out my Just Journals Link Party!
BWS tips button

Thanks for participating!!

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Friday, December 2, 2011

Show and Tell Saturday #13

Hello Artists in Blogland!!  Welcome to our 13th Show and Tell Saturday.  I like to put the post up on Fridays and then you will have some time to put up your link.  You can spend Saturdays looking at the wonderful links.  I just wanted to also invite you to share with us any special projects you want help with (like a collaborative project, link party, swap or zine, or whatever you have in mind) or if you are putting out a fun new online workshop and want to let everyone know.  If you email me, Marcia, I would be happy to write a post that shares your idea with everyone. 

Anything new going on in your artistic life? What are you working on?

What to do:


1. Write a post about your creative week.

2. Add your link to the list below.

3. The link MUST be to a specific blog post, not the general link to your blog.

4. You can double up... post about challenges you participated in or post to another sharing group as well, but in your blog post, please include a link back to Artists in Blogland. This will encourage other people to check out Artists in Blogland.

5. Visit other people's posts and check out what they are doing. 

6. Also, feel free to check out my Just Journals Link Party!
BWS tips button

Thanks for participating!!







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