Saturday, November 7, 2009

ARTIST OF THE WEEK: James W. Parker

James W. Parker -- Western Landscapes
“Listen to the Land” is what Jim Parker tells viewers when asked how he gets his striking images of prairies, mountain ranges and abandoned architectural artifacts.
As the son of a Western historian, Jim grew up around ghost towns and old mines. His father gave him a camera early on and taught him the basics. Some of his earliest recollections are of road trips to find an old stagecoach trail or Indian petroglyphs scratched on a canyon wall. At the same time, he learned to love the backcountry of his native Black Hills of South Dakota. Hiking, climbing and backpacking in the mountains, or exploring the back roads of the Southwest, he looks for ways to visualize history and bring the story of the land to life.

After gaining a degree in Visual Communication, Jim spent years developing his design skills as an advertising creative director, but never stopped making photographs. His love for the outdoors is evident in his carefully composed images, and he says, “Years of reading the light and the weather tells me where to go and when to go. I tend to be an opportunist -- an explorer -- and that’s a good thing. Coming into a new place for the first time gives you a fresh perspective that’s totally different from shooting near home. It’s knowing how to line up the shot and when to press the shutter that makes the difference, not the equipment.”
Jim likes to joke about shooting his work with his iPhone, but after using a couple dozen different cameras over a 40-year period, it is evident that he has a finely tuned eye for the curve of the horizon, the texture of everyday objects and a reverence for wind, weather and geology. “I tend to shoot pictures of rocks,” he says.

Many of his friends just call him Parker. When he left the corporate world to pursue his dream of being a full-time artist five years ago, he decided to make it easy for people to remember his name. So he put a little of his branding knowledge to work and named his company parkerparker :: design | photography.” That way, people don’t have to remember my first name or my last name – it’s the same either way!” he jokes.

His sense of humor is evident in many of his captions. “Many of my pictures include abstract elements and the element of surprise. The best images tell a story, and I like to explain what I was thinking when I made the shot.” He prints his own work in his studio, using Epson pigment-ink printers and fine art paper. He also makes large panoramic landscapes on canvas, some of which are over eight feet long! Every print is signed and numbered by Parker and mounted using archival methods under acid-free mat board. The canvases are wrapped on heavy-duty stretcher frames and are ready to hang.




"Field Day"
Digital photograph, Limited edition sepia pigment print on Epson Ultra Smooth Fine Art paper
20"x30", matted and framed to 28" x 38" with archival materials and UV glass
(Also available in smaller sizes)
Click pic to see more of James Parker’s work.

Saturday, October 31, 2009

ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Steve Lauman

This blog post was written by artist, STEVE LAUMAN

Steve Lauman is a multimedia and mixed media artist living and working at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, AZ. He leads an intriguing lifestyle, holding the position of instrument maker, a slot that’s been occupied by only three others since the founding of the Observatory in 1897. His work as an astronomical instrument maker directly influences him as an artist, revealing a fascinating perspective that continuously surfaces in his artwork.
"There is a real juxtaposition at play between my artistic work and what’s required of me at Lowell. The two activities are innately opposite, yet they balance one another."
Because of the technical nature of manufacturing precision parts, Steve is influenced by the processes employed, and often puts these methods to use in his artwork. Likewise, his efforts as an artist reciprocate in the form of creative energy to the benefit of the Observatory.
"As an instrument maker, I’m heavily relied upon by the astronomers to build their tools for research. In a sense, they are relying on me to be an artist; I must consistently bring to the table creative solutions and colorful ideas that come from nowhere. I also must constantly be honing my skills as a machinist, welder, designer and materials expert. All of these things spill over into my artwork. I like to say that my important works can be seen at the end of a telescope or among paintings at an exhibition."
Steve’s artwork exemplifies the intense contrast and balance between art and technology. He also strives to explore the disparities that are so common in the West: beauty of water in the desert; scarcity of dark sky within a sea of light; clash of urban and wilderness; stark desert landscape and its rich, vibrant gems from deep within. This exploration can be expressed as simply as a steel line drawn in negative space, or the choice of a symbolic color. It can be as complex as articulating a spiritual boundary, using recycled materials and prose. The work can take the form of a highly functional instrument capable of a glimpse of Pluto, or it can simply be a colorful artistic refuge. What to be expected from this artist is the unexpected.
Like the gadgetry affixed to a telescope that peers into the cosmos, Steve Lauman as an artist, becomes an instrument of art. His purpose is to gather what’s around us that can’t be touched and bring it back for all to experience.

"Take Five is a painted steel chair. It is first in a series of artistic sitting sanctuaries. The idea behind my series of artistic sanctuaries is to create an artistic space that the viewer can touch, see, feel and take a rest. I want to create spaces that envelope the viewer ensuring the artistry does not go unnoticed."

"I am conflicted with the concept of functional art. I've created many functional pieces that were clever and useful but rarely have I been completely satisfied with their artistic value. Often the functionality dominates the artistry or the concept involved in creating the piece. The
purpose of this series is to explore the boundary between functional and non functional art by providing limited function. In this case the usefulness is limited only to rest. Once seated and at rest, the viewer has moved beyond the function of the object and becomes closely involved in it as an art piece. In a sense, I'm using function only to draw in the viewer, inviting them to take a break, "Take Five" and enjoy some artwork."
"So, by all means, please have a seat." Steve




"Take Five"
2' x 2' x 4'
Painted Steel
Click pic to see more of Steve’s work.
Also, you can follow him on Twitter: @Buffalokid

Saturday, October 24, 2009

ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Kris G. Brownlee (kgb)

With initials like k.g.b. one wouldn't expect to find the cute characters that populate Kris G. Brownlee's art. Her paintings of girls with big eyes and shy smiles have undertones of subtle darkness that contrast their storybook feel.

Though she's always worked in creative fields, Kris is a relative newcomer to the art world and didn't begin selling selling her work until 2008 when she created an Etsy shop. Since then she has shipped her art all over the world to clients across the USA, Canada, Australia, Portugal & Estonia. An avid blogger, Kris shares sketches & progress photos of her work plus more personal entries about her family life which allow clients to get to know her on a personal level.

In March 2009 Kris had her first group gallery show at APW Gallery in New York. She's kept busy ever since with shows at Raw Canvas in Vancouver, Atlanta's ArtHouse project and the Square Foot Show in Toronto, Canada. She's thrilled to be part of the group collaboration for Twitter 140.

A voracious learner, Kris is currently adding to her painting toolbox by attending classes at the prestigious Emily Carr University in Vancouver, BC (Canada) where she lives with her partner and a very possessive pug.





The Bee Girl
acrylic on canvas
8" x 10"
sold

Click pic to see more of Kris G. Brownlee’s work.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Julie Caves

Julie Caves makes books and paints. She paints because she is fascinated by colour. She layers transparent colour, looks at how colours affect one another, and tries to capture light inside the paint. Because the subject of the work is colour she has been called a “colourist”. The finished paintings become a record and trace of her practice. They have been described as “very painterly” and she thinks this means that the viewer can feel the process of painting as if they had made the marks themselves.

When she needs to use sequence or groups or concept, she makes a book. An artists' book is art that simply chooses to use the format of a book. Hers usually use drawing or photography, and text. As Julie says: "I make books that offer a moment of cheerful confusion, books that celebrate the beauty of the so-called ordinary, books made of groupings and lists, cataloguing the things and places we think we know, books that offer a new look at things you see every day. I like that a book is a piece of art you can hold and look at all by yourself. I think the best artists' books are silly or funny on the surface while encouraging you to think about something more meaningful. I am trying my best to make contact with humanity." Serendipity Press is the imprint name she uses to distinguish her bookworks from her other artistic work.

Julie began her art studies in California in 1989, studied art in Spain, received a BFA in Studio Art (Sculpture and Printmaking) in Texas, and an MA in Bookarts from Camberwell College of Arts in London. She has participated in exhibitions in the US, Spain, Korea, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Mexico and the UK. She has artists' books and prints in a number of public and private collections including the Tate Britain Gallery Special Collection. Before arriving at Blackhorse Lane Studios, in East London where she is now based, Julie's studio was located at the historic Abbey Art Centre in North London and the Chocolate Factory N16 in North East London. She is a member of the Colour Group of Great Britain, The Walthamstow Arts Club, the Pacific Centre for Book Arts and the CREATE group of Bristol.



Strange Fruit
Oil on wood panel
16x20 inches
2009
Click pic to see more of Julie Caves’s work.
Julie Cave’s Blog
Julie Cave’s Artist Books

Saturday, October 10, 2009

ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Akasya Maya

“Spiritual Journey” shows a culmination of techniques I have refined to create this masterful piece. Using various felting and dying processes, Spiritual Journey epitomizes many of the ancestral cultures I admire so much. From the petroglyphs to the winding expression of the spiritual path, the colors, tones, and feel of this piece lead you on a journey to expression.

With a combination of fleece, silks, hand-spun and dyed yarns and locks all lovingly wet and needle felted together in a variety of techniques, brings a voice through the ages.



Spiritual Journey
Fiber
Click pic to see more of Akasya Maya’s work.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

ARTIST OF THE WEEK: John Azelvandre

A seedling always strives to reach for the sun.

I've done a lot of interesting things in my medium-length life, but what excites me the most is visual art. An artist was the first thing I ever said I wanted to be when I was a little kid back in Ohio. But, as often happens to little kids that want to be artists, I got sidetracked. Luckily, the sidetracks have been interesting. After surviving Catholic school, I studied: music and engineering and then worked in Manhattan recording studios for a few years. Then grad school: environmental science, philosophy and education. I've also worked as a park ranger and a science teacher. Now I'm back to art (finally) and still (much to my amazement) a happy resident of the greatest of boroughs, Brooklyn, New York.

Having spent entirely too much time with words in the past, in my work I am now seeking to express that which defies the bounds of language. My work is inspired by the natural world as well as by the imagination. Through the manipulation of form, line and color, I'm looking for that inexpressible ground underlying human experience and aspiration. By exploring the always fuzzy boundary between abstraction and representation, I hope to express that which could unite all the apparent paradoxes we encounter in life, such as those between real and unreal, sacred and profane, spiritual and erotic.



"Yggdrasil Mandala"
Acrylic on canvas
36” x 36"
Click pic to see more of John Azelvandre’s work.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Linda Stillman

Linda Stillman is an artist whose main focus is on investigating concepts of time, memory and our interaction with nature. She works in various media: collage, painting, photography, sculpture and installation. Her work is eclectic, but consistently concept based and influenced by a minimalist sensibility. Of particular interest to her are everyday, often meaningless or overlooked objects and fleeting moments of experience, and the ways in which they are collected, preserved, and remembered.

In the “Daily Paintings” series, shown here, she paints a small panel of the sky every day in an ongoing series, started in August 2005, and continuing indefinitely. As an outgrowth to the “Daily Paintings” series, she uses the leftover dried paint from her palette to make abstract paintings, like the one in the "Twitter 140" art exhibition.

She exhibits regularly and is active in the New York art world. Her work is in many private collections. Linda is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania (BA), the School of Visual Arts and Vermont College of Fine Arts (MFA).



Daily Paintings, detail: June 2006
26 x 25 x 3/4 inches
Acrylic, gouache on paper on panels
@ Linda Stillman, 2006/2007 all rights reserved

Click pic to see more of Alison Jardine’s work.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Alison Jardine

Alison Jardine is a British artist who now lives in Texas. Inspired by the Texan sky and countryside, she paints landscapes on location and uses these as the basis for her current series of natural abstractions, unusual landscapes using the motif of the tree that explore the edges where the sky meets the earth.

She is currently establishing her own studio~gallery in Dallas, which she recently won in an art competition. Her painting "After Midnight" will be featured in the Self-Portrait edition of Poets & Artists (Oranges & Sardines) magazine, in the Fall.



"Trees Squared"
Oil on canvas
56" x 56"
Click pic to see more of Alison Jardine’s work.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

ARTIST OF THE WEEK: J.D. Casten

I’m an outsider artist (being diagnosed as schizophrenic – I hear voices, and they hear me think—also I’m also mostly self-taught) and I work frequently with digital manipulations of my original photography. Being at least a 5th generation Oregonian (even further if you consider my 1/32 Kalapooian Indian heritage) living in Eugene, I’m used to the rain and the all too shrinking beautiful nature of the Willamette valley and Oregon coast. I’m currently 41, but feel much like I’m at the 31 year old maturity level, having lost about a decade to strong anti-psychotic medications and endless television.

In my art, I try to deconstruct clichés and kitsch and illustrate my poetry and philosophy (I have a M.A. in philosophy and have focused on Derrida and Artificial Intelligence). I think clichés are underrated in their importance to “common sense”—something very hard to emulate on computers; and I try to refresh these often stale ideas and images. I also work with music; having released my second album “Melody Method” under my moniker “The Rhythm Messiahs” in late July, 2009; and have edited books for the artists Ana Voog, and Sara G. Umemoto as the Post Egoism Media publisher.



“Rose Colored Contact Lens”
JD Casten
Jan 2009
Click pic to see more of J.D.’s work.

Monday, September 7, 2009

TWITTER 140 Exhibition Venues Wanted

Here is our TWITTER 140 “commercial”. Keep trying to find more galleries! We did it once, we can do it again. In the meantime, here is a little ditty to help our cause!!!




Click pic to watch our Twitter 140 video!

Saturday, September 5, 2009

GRANDON GALLERY: The OPENING!

Our FIRST opening seems to have been a great success. I wish I had been there! I am sure other artists in the show feel the same way. However, we are lucky. In this time of technology, we have instant feedback from far away lands.

Early this morning I got an email with photos from Claude (aka: @Dooko). Here is the text of his first email:

“Sheree,
The Opening was really good, lots of people coming in and out of the Gallery and many positive comments on everyone's Art! Downtown Flagstaff was full of people! In Heritage Square a kids movie was on the outdoor screen, several blocks were crowed with people in and out of other Galleries and Shops, a Huge turnout for Flagstaff Art Walk. In spite of my reservations of the art all on one wall and close together I think it worked out for the better...people were looking at ALL the Art in one area...the numbers were not with sharpie, my bad, but looking through a reflective window that day. Names of all the Artist's was nicely displayed. Here's some pic's..I did take one of Steve with my camera but it didn't take I guess. Steve and John took a bunch of photo's also and you'll probably get those soon. I left around 8:30 and still the town was 'hoppin'.
Dookster”


His second email read:

“Sheree,
The Mayor of Flagstaff came up and introduced herself to me, Sara Presler. I had never met her before, we had a nice convo. She really liked the concept and artwork. It might have been Steve who pointed her my way. Anyway, there were literally hundreds of people in downtown last night.
Dooko”


His third email read:

"Steve was our 'point man' and he enjoyed talking about the show with people he knew, like the Mayor and with that, he attracted many listener's."

These emails made my day!!! THANK YOU STEVE!!!! I am so happy we are off to a great START! Yes, we still haven’t heard from other galleries yet, but let’s take this as a good omen. We still have lots of time to try to make this twitterartshow bird FLY!!!
Here are some photos of the opening. TOO COOL!!!
Thanks Claude!!!!






“Holly Pyle Trio”


“Dooko” (aka: Claude)


“John” (aka: @ZephyrusNYC)


Our illustrious host: Mr. David Grandon


BTW, I think we should all give three cheers to David Grandon. We all owe him a huge thanks with lots of hugs for doing this show for us!!! Three cheers for DAVID!!! Hooray!!!

Here are some of Steve's (aka: @Buffalokid) photos:










"Mayor Pressler"


"@SOCJacki Tweeting at the Twitter Art Show"

ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Gina Gomez

Gina Gomez is a contemporary abstract artist who specializes in the creation of original, mixed media, abstract paintings. Her creative study and experiementation with various media and materials reveals a careful attention to texture that ultimately brings out the color and depth in each piece.

California-born, Gina Gomez, discovered her attraction to the arts at a very early age when she explored Play-dough and finger-paints. Soon after, her interests quickly expanded into creating visual art and writing. Her interest in oils came about when her mother enrolled her in an art class at the age of seven. It was much later that she learned of her great-grandfather’s work as an artist specializing in fresco paintings in churches throughout El Paso, Texas and Mexico. After a 30-year detour in corporate business, Gina found herself drawn back to her creative calling. With the encouragement of loved ones, Gina began creating contemporary pieces using mixed media. She has had the opportunity to travel the world and her art is enriched and inspired by the earth tones of the Tuscan hills in Italy, the fine packed gravel and stones used to create the Great Wall of China and the densely populated trees in the Black Forest region in Germany. Gina combines these images with intuition and meditation to inspire these one-of-a-kind creations.



"Eastern Sun"
Mixed media
16" x 20"
Click pic to see more of Gina’s work.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Jane O'Hara

In recent years, Jane O'Hara's studio work has reflected her passion for animals. Her paintings capture the spirit of animals in contemporary life. Bold compositions and sensitive rendering are combined to exhibit the emotional depth of the animals she paints. With her commissions of animal companions and her involvement with several animal groups, she is able to use her artwork as an enthusiastic advocate for the dignity of all animals. O'Hara communicates her vision of the animal condition. Both the insensitivity, or conversely the pampering and casting of human traits onto the animal, both disturb and intrigue her, and she comments on those tendencies with humor and irony in her artwork.

Born in Connecticut, O'Hara now divides her time between Little Compton, RI and Boston, MA. She received her BFA from Boston University, School of Fine Arts in 1978. For over 30 years O'Hara has used her realistic training from BU to paint murals, and it has provided a solid foundation for her studio work and portrait commissions.



"Fashionista"
6"x6"
acrylic on high gloss surfaced wood block.
Click pic to see more of Jane’s work.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Linda Summers Posey

Linda Summers Posey is an award-winning artist, jewelry designer and writer. Her “cosmic” art grows from her awe for our magical, limitless universe and her love of astronomy and science fiction. In addition to her strictly abstract pieces, she created a new art form she calls “Ike Art.” The day after Hurricane Ike passed through her Houston neighborhood, she looked out at the branches, leaves, even whole trees filling the streets. Instead of giving in to this depressing vision, Linda decided to find something positive – and she discovered art materials. The resulting “Ike Art” paintings are created using pine needles, oak leaves, lichens, moss, etc. as brushes and patterns. “It’s very satisfying,” she says, “to create something so colorful and beautiful from bits of the storm’s destruction.”

In 2007 Linda founded Artists Alive and Well, Inc. (AAW), a Houston-based artists’ support network. “Artists Alive and Well focuses on helping our members build their careers with passion and confidence,” she says. “We’ve held half a dozen 25-50-artist shows and several smaller ones in locations ranging from large galleries to major office buildings to City Hall. We’re gaining recognition for our artists throughout Greater Houston, and teaching them how to market and manage their art careers.” Linda lives in Houston with her husband of nearly 40 years and their three cats.



“Galaxies-Merger_and_Acquis”
24x36
Acrylic
Click pic to see more of Linda’s work.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Kathy Casey

Kathy Casey is a painter living and working in South Carolina. She works in mixed media including acrylics, charcoal, crayon and collage on hand textured canvas or board. Kathy’s non-objective paintings evoke the spirit of a natural evolution that results from the passage of time. Each is about flux – the ever changing nature of life. Each piece serves as a metaphor for life: birth and death, creation and decay, growth and transformation. Each arrangement is as much about destruction as construction. Surface quality and texture are often inspired by the corrosion and dissipation that the artist sees in the landscape and old buildings ...cracked stucco, weathered wood, the patina of rusting iron. Random words are often found within each piece from the collaged found papers that often serve to add personal meaning to the works. Casey searches for beauty in the seemingly imperfect, unearthing and embracing subtle details that beacon the viewer to linger and look more closely.
Kathy is represented by City Art Gallery in Columbia, SC and Ellis-Nicholson Gallery in Charleston, SC.




"Every Now and Then"
36” x 36”
Mixed media on canvas (sold)
Click pic to see more of Kathy Casey’s work.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Chris Billington

Expression through creation - communication through colour

Unexpectedly and suddenly coming to painting, as if driven by an inexplicable force, my emergence as an artist has been swift, and totally out of the blue. I am now working full time from my studio in Falmouth and am committed to painting as a process of creation and discovery. Through constant investigation into the properties of colour my painting has grown into a distinct language and style, often with a strong linear or geometric structure, always infused with successive layers of strong, saturated colour and drawing heavily on Cornwall.

Thus the most important thing to me as an artist is colour.

Artistic highlights to date include successfully exhibiting throughout Cornwall and painting myself on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square, London.. My work is already in the private collections of many artists and collectors both nationally and internationally, including London, Japan, Moscow, New York and Florida. The art historian John A. Walker recently described my paintings as “accomplished work, colourful and decorative”




“Making Space” which has just been chosen to feature on a 2010 Calendar.
Click pic to see more of Chris Billington’s work.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Joyce Lieberman

Joyce Lieberman is a visual artist from Venice, California. Her "UNStill Life" series features painted works on paper and canvas displaying flower-filled vases in luscious colors with colliding and overlapping pattern. The most recent works are more restful and about 'Trees'.

Lieberman has worked in collage. The largest series is called the Personal Archaeologies. They are created from older paintings reworking and mixed with recycled bits of interest that I find in stamps, paper, and fabric." The "Venn Diagram" series has evolved from the collages and an attempt to "Figure things out'. The inside partitions of wine cases have collapsible cardboard that look cool when painted. I have been looking at this for years and for the Twitter 140 show have been able to make use of them the best way possible.
Click pic to view more work by Joyce Lieberman



Joyce Lieberman
"Garden Grove"
4x4'
Acrylic on canvas

Friday, July 31, 2009

Twitter Art Show: Quick Update

1. I am wondering if no news is good news? The silence is deafening! There is very little news to report at this point. I sent out 12 proposals. Obviously, we had one positive response: Grandon Gallery. We also got one rejection email from a Florida gallery (figures!). So we still have ten proposals out with no responses yet. We will see. Keep your fingers crossed, say a prayer, do a rain dance, or whatever it takes to help us get MORE SHOWS!
2. Unfortunately, I got word that one artist has dropped out of the show. This is sad news. I wish him well and great success.
3. Artist of the Week blog posts will begin tomorrow August 1st. They will always be posted on Saturdays. I have created a schedule of AOW artists on the sidebar. If you want to join in, send me your stuff. Here are the simple directions:

Twitter "Artists of the Week"
If you want to participate all you have to do is write a two paragraph blurb about yourself. (Think in terms of “WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE HOW”) Send this to me in the text box of your email to me. Also, send ONE preferred URL and ONE photo of your art. The art you choose does not have to be your twitter piece. It can be any art you would like to showcase. When I set up your “Artist of the Week” entry, I will link the photo to your URL. If you are interested, send your paragraphs, URL, and .jpg to wizzlewolf@aol.com

That is all for now. Keep in touch and don’t forget to send me photos of your second Twitter 140 piece before you ship it to Grandon!
Talk to y’all later!

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Twitter Art Show: Grandon Art Gallery




We have a show! In September, Grandon Art Gallery in Flagstaff, AZ will be showing Twitter 140! I spoke with David Grandon the gallery owner yesterday via telephone. He just wrote me an email to confirm the dates and supply additional information:

“The opening of the show will be the September 4th, the First Friday of the Month (coinciding with our artwalk. The music will be a small percussion section of our Symphony featuring a couple of steel drums!
I would love to have the work as early as possible (I can store it in the gallery no problemo) but would like the work here by the last week of August. I am used to hanging work the day of the show but like to avoid it if possible!). My address gallery is:



The Grandon Art Gallery
20 N. Leroux
Flagstaff, AZ 86001



I am not particularly worried about agreement forms or contracts for a one month show. Besides your letter required the artist to provide their own insurance.
David”



Here are things to remember:

1. All work should be professionally presented and exhibition ready (wired, framed if necessary, no glass).

2. U.S. artists send work to Grandon Gallery to address stated above so it arrives no later than the last week of August. BE SURE to include a prepaid waybill (FedEx, UPS, etc.) for the return of unsold work. International artists can send the work to my studio (as discussed in my email sent to you earlier today.) You do NOT have to provide return shipping payment at this time. I will ship my work with international art together as a group via Fed EX and it will be all boxed together in the same container to be returned to my studio. (So it will be all together for our next show.) I need your work no later than August 24, 2009.

3. IMPORTANT: If you are sending two works, don’t forget to send me a photo of your second piece along with title, size, media, and price. I will add this information to our artist/price list database.

4. We are working on a press release. When it is done, I will share it with you. You can send it to your local press. This is a perfect time to “toot your own horn”!

5. I am assuming all artists will allow their artwork photos to be used for press purposes. If you do not want your photos used for show related publicity, speak up now.


OK. I think that is enough information for now!
If any of you have further questions, email me. :-)

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Twitter Art Show: Twitter 140 VLOG UPDATE!

Instead of reading, today you can hear me!
Here is an update!



TWITTER 140 is ready to roll!

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Twitter Art Show: Twitter 140 CENTRAL!



I can hear the BUZZ! My computer room has turned into “Twitter 140 CENTRAL!” I wanted to wait for another day or two to post. However, things are happening so fast and furiously, I decided to post now. There are bunches of details I need to share. One of the things that is important to me is to keep you all informed. I feared if I waited longer, your head would start spinning like mine is now! Just for the sake of sanity, I am numbering my points. I am a right brain girl. I need some tool to keep me organized.

Here goes:
1. I have finished the proposal cover letter. I wanted to let you all know I stated each artist will provide TWO pieces for the show. I mentioned this back on the May 25th post. I wrote about how we have to play some of this by ear. Since we ended up with only 24 artists, this allows us to show 2 works each. This is a good thing. If you don’t have a second TWITTER piece, you can work on it if and when we get news we are showing in a gallery. I mentioned in that same post, it would be wise to have more Twitter art. If your work sells in one show and we need to move to another gallery, you will need a replacement piece anyway. REMEMBER: All pieces you make for this show must reflect the TWITTER theme and requirements. So, think ahead.

2. I changed the name of our show slightly. I removed the colon. Instead of Twitter:140, it is now Twitter 140. This is no big deal. It just wasn’t working graphically. Done.

3. I will be sending out a batch of proposals by the end of this week. We have a pretty good list of galleries. I am working my way down the list. I will send more out each week. I will write more about when and where I am sending these in the next blog post.

4. I want to remind all of you about the issue of REJECTION. You bet your bippy we will be rejected. I will share the rejection letters with you all. I just don’t want anyone to be discouraged. This is part of the deal. Sometimes our art lives are a bit of a crap shoot. That is just fine. The most important thing is we just keep moving. In our case, we will just keep sending out proposals. Someone somewhere will see we are good and right. We are simply looking for those people.

5. I am going to write another post in a few days. I will update you about the galleries to which I am sending proposals. Please be patient.

6. Lastly, I mentioned starting an “Artist of the Week” on this blog. We are going to do that for sure. In fact, I am going to make a schedule. I will let you all know YOUR week. You can write a paragraph or two about yourself and I will include that info and your website during your week. We will start this after I get at least a dozen proposals done and mailed. This should be in a week or two.

Enough for now. Is your head spinning yet?
Welcome to my world! :-)

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Twitter Art Show: Update and POLL

UPDATE:
The preparations for the show are coming along splendidly! As you all know, I created artist pages for all of you. I sent emails with attachment to every artist for their approval. If you haven’t gotten back to me yet, please do so soon. These .jpgs will be included on the proposal CD. I am all done with the first draft of our proposal letter. I have started the artist list and price list to include with that cover letter. I will share all this when it is done. Also, people have been sending me lots of tips for possible venues. That is fantastic!! I will go through these in the coming weeks.
All of this organization is taking me a very long time. Please be patient. I am literally burning the candle at both ends. I want these proposals out to galleries ASAP. I think I can have the first proposals in the mail by the end of next week. This is my goal date. BTW Is there anybody in the house who is a grammar/writing whiz and can proofread the cover letter for me? Please let me know.

THE POLL:
We owe a gracious thank you to Carla @naughtymutt! She came up with a terrific concept for a logo for our header, CD cover, and mailing label. I love the idea so much; I might even make a t-shirt out of it!! We have two different versions from which to choose. The name of the show has not been added to either logo yet. That will come later. I put a POLL on the sidebar. We want your vote! Here are the choices: Logo 1 or Logo 2. If you click the picture, you can see a larger image of each. Vote NOW! Also, don’t forget to thank Carla when you see her on Twitter!! :-)


LOGO 1

LOGO 2
Please vote at sidebar voting booth------>

ADDENDUM:
Someone told me to mention this last night. I declined because I just want good vibes to flow. However, I now finally feel the need to say one more thing. Besides doing all this busy work for the show, I have had to endure many comments and remarks that are less than positive. I have tried very hard to let them go and move on. I have been an artist a long time. I have accomplished a whole lot in my art life. I know what I am doing here. If you don't have faith in me, I am sorry. The reason I wanted to say something now is because I just asked one artist about the email and attachment I sent. I wanted to know if things were OK. I had never received a response. The reply was the artist saw the email, saw things were fine, but didn't respond. The artist went on to say my email: "Seemed like unnecessary inbox garbage"

I cannot tell you how this hurt my feelings. I am exhausted right now because I have worked hours trying to get this together for all of us. I cannot change people or their words. I would just like to ask everyone if we can all work together in a positive way. I am not the enemy.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Twitter Art Show: HAPPY DAYS!

OKEY ART Tweople! We have our finished artist list, refreshed sidebar links, and lots of great TWITTER related art! Hooray! I spent the morning sorting through all the entries, checking for any missing details, and organizing each artist’s folder. There are two more artists that are not on the list yet. However, I am waiting for a few details from them. I will add those when and if I get them. It looks pretty good!

I have to write the proposal. I need a least a week to get things prepared. I will write the proposal and introduction letter. I am going to put each artist's .jpg with their data on a uniformly sized template. Then I will burn CDs. Carla @naughtymutt has volunteered to create a logo using the @ symbol over small thumbnails of our work. I will use this graphic for our CD cover and header on the paperwork.

Now, I need all of your help. We need suggested venues to send the proposal. All venues should be galleries. Please think hard and be on the lookout for possible art spaces that might accept this proposal. You don’t even have to do any research. If you give me the name of a potential venue, I will do the legwork. I will look up the gallery, find their proposal requirements, and record their mailing address. In fact, when I get a list of venues, I will share them with you and we can decide where we want to send our proposals.

I would like to send out as many as ten proposal packages. Be prepared to be rejected. This is not a big deal. The important thing is to concentrate on being accepted by a few galleries. I believe that will happen! Also, do not sell or change the work you submitted. These pieces will be included as the art which represents our proposal. These pieces should be saved for this show.

That is all for now. When I get done with the proposal, I will share it with you via this blog. If there are any questions or concerns, let me know! You can email me or tweet me!
“OK kids, let’s put on a show!!!”

Monday, June 29, 2009

Twitter Art Show: Trouble in Paradise

OK Twitter:140 Artists! First, I have to thank all of those who have submitted work so far. Some of it looks fantastic!
Here is the current problem.

This show has a theme. The theme was stated in the prospectus:
Theme: Twitter/Art/Connection

Despite the “non-jury” status of this show, as coordinator it is my job to make sure this show looks professional. Also, all works must fit within the theme and prospectus requirements. Artists were given a month to create a specific piece for this Twitter show. Some of the work submitted has interpreted this theme very well and it is obvious. However, others seem to be submitting any piece of art that fits the size requirements.

If it isn’t apparent the work is about TWITTER, the artist needs to include some kind of explanation in their 140 character statement. Tell WHY your work relates to twitter. If any work doesn’t fit into the Twitter theme, it will not be included in the show.

Tomorrow is the deadline. I will be accepting work until midnight PST, June 30th. We will see what happens.
I will keep you posted this week as to our status.
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS AND OPINIONS!

Monday, June 8, 2009

Twitter Art Show: The WAITING Game

This is going to be a quick and easy post. At this point, we are just waiting for the art deadline. Remember: JUNE 30th. We still have 3 weeks left! Don’t feel bad if you aren’t finished. I am doing an assemblage and all the pieces are still scattered all over my studio! Kudos to @jdcasten. He has already submitted his piece (beautiful!) and information (perfect!) Thanks jd!

Another reminder to all Twitter:140 artists: PLEASE check the side bar of this blog and make sure your twitter name is spelled correctly. Also, make sure your name is linked to your website. I want people to be able to find you on Twitter and the web. When I set up the database, I tried very hard to cut and paste all info so I wouldn’t make a typing mistake. However, even this strategy is not fool proof. If there are any problems, you can tweet me or email me: wizzlewolf@aol.com

One thing I want to clarify is about the means of communication. I am NOT sending any communications through email. All information about the show will be posted on this blog. Monday will be post days. I will announce posts and any special announcements via Twitter. If you do not follow me, that is perfectly fine. I include #twitterartshow with any post relating to this show. Therefore, if you go to Twitter Search and plug in that hashtag, you will see all the Twitter posts about this show.

That’s about all I have to say at this point. So I suggest you use the comment section as an “OPEN FORUM”.
Do you have any ideas or concerns?



Speak up!

Monday, June 1, 2009

Twitter Art Show: Positive ENERGY!

OK Groupies! Things are rolling along! I feel really great about the progress we have made in such a short time. Can you believe we started all this only 12 days ago! Is this possible? YES! It shows if we stick together and work on a common goal, it can and will happen!

Here is the latest news:
We have a title for the show. By popular vote it has been determined our “first” show will be titled “Twitter : 140”. I LOVE IT! I don’t know who thought of this name. I remember reading it somewhere in the comments. If you are the one who coined it, THANK YOU. It is a great title!

Notice I wrote our FIRST exhibition. Hopefully, we will be able to organize more shows in the future. I am being optimistic. Therefore, we will use the new title for the show. However, I will continue to use the hashtag #twitterartshow for announcements on Twitter, as well as, keep the name of this blog “Twitter Art Show”. That will be our umbrella name for our group and encompass all future shows. Sounds good to me!!!

I have updated the prospectus with a new header. Also, I added slight additions to the prospectus. Before you call foul, I didn’t change any of the meat of the requirements. I would never do that. I just added a few tidbits. For example, someone asked if the size included the frame. So I put the size requirement DOES include the frame on the prospectus. Now, if you printed the prospectus last week and you plan to frame your work which will take you out of the 140 square inch requirement, don’t get your panties in a wad. It is just fine. I am not going to be measuring anything. It is just fun to stay within that 140 square inch range. As long as you do a piece 140 square inches or less and don’t add on a 3 foot frame, all is well! LOL

Another little reminder I added to the prospectus is about shipping. When we start to ship to galleries be sure to use durable boxes that can endure both delivery and return shipping. That makes sense.
Lastly, I want all of you to start thinking about possible venues. Come July, we will have a viable exhibition proposal package. Who can we send it to? We all have different resources and connections. Let’s use them!
I am keeping a list of venue possibilities given to me by Twitter artists. Keep me posted if you have any ideas. Also, if you have any concerns, suggested blog topics, or general questions, tweet me or email me anytime! @wizzlewolf or wizzlewolf@aol.com

Remember JUNE 30th is our deadline for finished work. Let’s do it!



Opps! ONE MORE THING! This show is still open. The exhibition proposal CD will be based on and include only the artists who submit work by June 30th. If you are new to the group and want to participate, go for it! Print the prospectus and get to work on your piece(s)! Just remember to email me your artist name, twitter name, artist website, and email address. I will add you to the blog hot link list and the database. Send info to: wizzlewolf@aol.com

Monday, May 25, 2009

Twitter Art Show: DEADLINE

I have read all the comments and suggestions. I have come up with a list of things we need to do and steps we need to take.
ME:
I am going to write an exhibition proposal for a traveling show related to Twitter. (See details below) The proposal package will be in CD form and we can send it to prospective galleries. Most gallery “calls for proposals” want this information:
1. Proposal (one page explanation)
2. Artist Statements
3. Artist Bio
4. Contact Information
5. IMAGES OF WORK
The requirements vary slightly from gallery to gallery. I can make adjustments as necessary.

YOU:
The very first thing we need is ART. I have created a brief prospectus which outlines the specific art requirements. The deadline for submittal of art images will be JUNE 30, 2009. Mark your calendars! This deadline is iron clad. I want to have the proposal CD created by July 4th.
Here is the .pdf file of the prospectus. I think it will answer quite a few questions you might have. If you have any problems downloading this file, email me and I will send it to you.
Twitter Art Show Prospectus

Please be my proofreaders! I have been working on this post and prospectus for nearly 5 hours. I am cross-eyed now. If you find errors, let me know!

ALL OF US:
While everyone works on their pieces in the next month, each week we will have time to discuss issues such as possible venues, financial issues, possible sponsors, promotion ideas, etc. via blog posts. As stated in previous post, this show will not be an online or virtual show. However, we can talk about having a web splash page to promote the show, feature participating artist info, and exhibition schedule. If you have ideas, submit your comments! Artists have already made suggestions and I am keeping a list of tips, connections, and possible venues.

Don't forget to vote in the “Title” poll on the right sidebar. Right now, we are using the name “Twitter Art Show” as a working title. This can be changed. Let’s take a vote.
(NOTE: Voting ended May 30th. The new title is: "TWITTER:140")

Final Note to Artist Members:
The number of artists in this group will change over time. This is natural. Some will read this and become disinterested. Some will not get the work done on time. Some will just have a change of heart. This is all just fine. If we end up with a core group of enthusiastic artists, the show will be successful. All artists should work on at least one piece for the proposal package. However depending on the number of artists participating and size of venues, we might be able to show more than one work at a time. We will have to be flexible and play it by ear. Also if your work sells in a particular show, you will need a replacement piece for the next show. Therefore, it is advisable that you consider working on more than one “twitter” piece.

At this time, I will leave the list of artist members on the blog sidebar and in the database “as is” until June 30th. If you know you want to drop out now, just email me. No problem. Once the June 30th deadline passes, I will adjust the member list to reflect those who have sent me the needed image and data for our proposal. It will be then that the membership list will be accurate and reflect participating artists. This final artist list will be those included in our proposal.
If there are any questions, feel free to comment on the blog or email me at wizzlewolf@aol.com

Now.
GO MAKE ART!

Twitter Art Show: VOTE PLEASE

Please vote for the exhibition TITLE of your choice in the blog poll. The voting booth is located on the right sidebar below the member links. You are allowed to vote for more than one name if you like.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Twitter Art Show: NEWS and QUESTIONS

FIRST:
This is NOT going to be an ONLINE show. This was never my intention when I suggested this idea. In fact, I stated in the intro on the sidebar from the very first day I envisioned this show traveling. In the first two posts asking for comments, I never mentioned an online show. I spoke of seeking venues and mentioned work size limitations because this show was meant to be in galleries. Also, I have spent many, many hours collecting data for our database and started a preliminary outline for a traveling show proposal. I feel we all deserve more than just another website link when this exhibition comes to fruition. We all have our work online already and there are online shows (ad nauseam). My vision for us is far bigger than another webpage.

If some of you want to do an online show, maybe you can start an online show group. That would be just fine. Those interested in a traveling exhibition without a web show can participate here.

I am fine with the idea of a Twitter Art Show website that could give a preview of the work and/or give news of the show schedule. However, I don't want the exhibition to be shown online because this will diminish our chances for our proposal being accepted by actual galleries.

SECOND:
In order for me to write a proposal, we need to sort all these questions out. Jim Parker asked these great questions. We need group input for the answers.

1. Why are we doing this? Is it for exposure? To make money? To increase exposure of the arts on Twitter? To get more people to join the twitterartshow group? Is it a pure publicity venture, or an income-producing channel?

2. Why would other people care? What are the possible outcomes of an online visit? a brick and mortar visit?

I think that before we get too far into deciding the "how", the "why" should be defined, and perhaps that can further define the "how".

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Twitter Art Show: Baby Steps

OK group, let’s get going! We already have a great group of artists interested. We have to do this in baby steps. If we want this to happen, we have to work together. I cannot do this by myself. I need to start writing the proposal. However, I have questions. I would like input from all of you.

What do you WANT?

My first questions are easy.
1. Should we have a theme?
2. Should there be expectations or limitations?
3. How can we incorporate the idea of TWITTER into the thesis of the show?
4. What should be the expectations of group members?

These are four simple questions. I want to hear your input and feedback. I am not the boss of this group. I am merely the facilitator. I want us to work together to make this exhibition a reality.

Please leave comments and talk amongst yourselves. I will take these ideas and compile future posts.
OK. The ball is in your court now! Go for it!

Twitter Art Show: Introduction

“Twitter is a free social networking and micro-blogging service that enables its users to send and read other users' updates known as tweets. Tweets are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length which are displayed on the user's profile page and delivered to other users who have subscribed to them (known as followers)” WIKIPEDIA

So what does this have to do with ART? Artists use Twitter like everyone else. The cool thing is that it connects artists all over the world. The members of this Twitter Art Show group are coming together and creating a proposal for an art exhibition. Once the proposal is complete, we will submit it to exhibition venues in hopes of exhibiting our work all over the world. In order for this to come to fruition, we all must work together as a cooperative group. We can do this. Our vision can become reality if we work together to make it happen.