Give Yourself a Gift This Holiday Season

Yesterday is history.  Tomorrow is a mystery.  And today?  Today is a gift.  That’s why we call it the present.  ~Babatunde Olatunji

The holidays, which are an unusually a stressful time for most people… are even more so for artists.  Visual artists, who have to cram art making into an already full life, are now faced with the additional burden of dealing with traffic, crowds, guests from out of town and unnatural amounts of spending.  So for all you last minute shoppers, I have compiled a list of the Best Holiday Gifts for Artists… even if the artist happens to … Continue Reading

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Updated links OPPORTUNITES FOR ARTISTS

  1. http://www.westaf.org/artistsregisterblog/
  2. http://www.cac.ca.gov/artistcall/
  3. http://www.artcalendar.com
  4. http://www.artdeadlineslist.com
  5. https://www.callforentry.org/festivals.php?apply=yes
  6. http://re-title.typepad.com/opportunities/
  7. http://www.collegeart.org/opportunities/
  8. http://www.artshow.com/juriedshows/index.html
  9. http://www.artdeadlines.com/
  10. http://www.theartlist.com/
  11. http://southbendart.org/index.php?lt=1&p=see_exhibitionopportunities
  12. http://www.indplsartcenter.org/Exhibitions_and_Events/For_Artists/
  13. http://www.artperk.com/ListingSearchResults.aspx?lt=1
  14. http://www.artsconnect.com.au/callforartists/index.htm
  15. http://artistsregister.com/opportunities.phtml
  16. http://www.chicagoartistsresource.org/visual-arts/callforartists
  17. http://www.lacountyarts.org/
  18. www.wooloo.org
  19. http://www.asingularcreation.com/list.htm
  20. http://www.dezeen.com/
  21. http://www.callsforart.com/
  22. http://www.zapplication.org/shows.phtml
  23. http://www.juriedartservices.com/
  24. http://www.artandeducation.net/announcements
  25. www.artslant.com
  26. http://www.artandartdeadlines.com
  27. www.artsmarter.com
  28. http://miraslist.blogspot.com/
  29. http://www.artheals.org
  30. http://artisttrust.org/index.php/for-artists/opportunities
  31. http://bayareaartgrind.com/category/exhibition-entriescall-for-artists/
  32. http://www.unitedstatesartists.org
  33. http://losangelesartresource.wordpress.com/
  34. http://www.entrythingy.com/artists

These sites changes frequently, so don’t just rely on my recommendations, but do internet searches of your own to discover constantly new sites that are being developed. Please let me know if there is a good site that I have omitted, or if there is … Continue Reading

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10 Things Artists Should Be Thankful For

“Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind. ”  Lionel Hampton

By the time most artists come to see me, they are usually beaten down and depressed by the struggles of the artworld.  They have been abused by their galleries, taken for granted by their collectors, misunderstood by their families and exhausted from juggling real life with creative need. It is so easy to forget how special you are, when there is no one around to remind you, but you.  So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I give you my list of 10 … Continue Reading

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A JUROR’S DILEMMA

“A rejection is nothing more than a necessary step in the pursuit of success.”  Bo Bennett

Our summer juried shows are a mixed blessing for me.  Each year I marvel at the infinite and diverse ways in which artists find to express themselves.  I admire and respect each and every artist for the extraordinary effort they make every day to share their gift. Again, we were happily overwhelmed with a large number of excellent quality entries, and the competition for this show was very stiff. The 93 artists in this exhibition were … Continue Reading

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Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you’ll be criticized anyway . — Eleanor Roosevelt

When you look at a piece of food on your plate and decide not to eat it, do you know why?  You may be able to answer that question by saying you don’t like the taste, or you are not in the mood, but that doesn’t really address the root of the question, “Why?” Can you tell me why you don’t like the taste?  Can you tell me why you are not in the mood?  I … Continue Reading

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Surviving the Summer Slump

“It won’t always be summer: build barns.” Hesiod 700 B.C.

A lot of people don’t realize that the art world revolves around a seasonal schedule. Galleries begin their season in September, usually after Labor Day, often opening with their strongest artist and continue until about the middle of June. Many galleries use the summer months to mount group shows of gallery artists, or shows that they wouldn’t consider during their “prime season.” Generally, the magazines and gallery guides follow suit by issuing combined July/August issues. For artists, … Continue Reading

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Life is Short, Art is Long

“And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count.  It’s the life in your years.” ~Abraham Lincoln

It’s not something we like to think about, but collectors, as well as artists, need to face the fact that owning art, regardless of whether it is yours, or it is acquired, comes with certain responsibilities.  There are the obvious responsibilities concerning documentation, insurance, protection, care and handling.  There are even laws that govern the destruction or modification of art. … Continue Reading

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Best Holiday Gift Ideas for Artists

Yesterday is history.  Tomorrow is a mystery.  And today?  Today is a gift.  That’s why we call it the present.  ~Babatunde Olatunji

The holidays, which are an unusually a stressful time for most people… are even more so for artists.  Visual artists, who have to cram art making into an already full life, are now faced with the additional burden of dealing with traffic, crowds, guests from out of town and unnatural amounts of spending.  So for all you last … Continue Reading

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When Everything Is Not Enough…

“In basketball — as in life — true joy comes from being fully present in each and every moment, not just when things are going your way.” Phil Jackson

We humans are strange creatures. Even when you take the creative element out of the equation, most people are never satisfied. It makes sense that would be true for creative types, as the essence of creative process depends on the need to improve whatever was last. After all, if an artist felt they had created an ultimate masterpiece that could not be improved upon, … Continue Reading

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What Would Picasso Do?

“Do not let praise or criticism get to you. It’s a weakness to get caught up in either one.”
John Wooden

I am faced with a difficult challenge in the coming weeks. Each summer, our gallery hosts a juried show that offers a solo exhibition or group exhibition to selected artists. Most juried shows, are by nature, an eclectic blend of a juror’s vision. By definition, this show is a subjective and singular vision, based on my personal tastes and aesthetic. So little research has been done in the area of developing a sense of taste, a … Continue Reading

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