Submissions From faso.com

 "I've observed artists, art critics, art magazines, art bloggers and others get bent out of shape over someone else using 'their' hashtag. Needless to say, people can be really protective of the hashtags they use on Twitter and elsewhere. Here is my take on the issue: People will use #artforum, #arttalk, #artnews, #artreview... etc... regardless of how YOU use them - and regardless of what your blog or magazine is called. Get over it. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "Artist William Schneider is known for creating passionate works of art in oils and pastels and has gained recognition for his unique approach to capturing light and how it defines form. His paintings have a solid foundation in the academic painting traditions of the past - but many of his works also have what can be described as contemporary feel." (Carrie Turner)

 " More power to you if you have been featured. But the idea that 'if I just get in this magazine!' -- or 'this specific gallery!', for that matter -- will solidify a career.... well -- it does not always happen that way. All of the forgotten faces in various art magazines from the past are proof of that. Art magazine coverage can be a good stepping stone (and great for documentation) -- but don't depend on it too much." (Brian Sherwin)

 "For this round of Staff Picks we had art critic Brian Sherwin and artist Gayle Faucette Wisbon (Artist Support Agent) select artwork that has been featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. We at FineArtViews encourage you to learn more about these artists: Lois Eakin, Jane Hartley, Mark Hamel" (FineArtViews)

 "No matter how successful you become -- people will respect you if you still take the time to reach out to others. The snappy 'Do you know who I am!' remarks don't win fans... remarks like that tend to push away even the most dedicated supporters (we see that happen often with actors and musicians). Thus, strive to be as humble as you can be. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "Artist Suzy Hart notes that the human gaze is the most compelling force in her life as an artist and this influence drives her work. Suzy states that she seeks to elicit an empathetic response in the viewer by capturing the emotion of her subjects." (Carrie Turner)

 "Time ain't money when all you got is time." (Luann Udell)

 "Networking shouldn't be about "working a room" or trying to meet the "right" people in the room. It should be about meeting new people and getting excited about their work, their ideas, upcoming exhibitions, or projects they may be involved in. Just like dating, networking should happen organically." (Kesha Bruce)

 "Don't you wish that I would give you concrete, bullet-pointed, step-by-step instructions for how to increase art sales? I'll never do that, you know, because I won't deceive by promising easy answers to complex problems, but if you really want these tips, there are numerous groups, speakers, writers, magazines, social-media resources, and programs out there that will -- for a price. " (Carolyn Henderson)

 "For this round of Staff Picks we had art critic Brian Sherwin and artist Gayle Faucette Wisbon (Artist Support Agent) select artwork that has been featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. We at FineArtViews encourage you to learn more about these artists: Danielle Perry, Gina Strumpf, Pat Meras" (FineArtViews)

 "I find that most of my plein air works could have been greatly improved in compositional choices. This is one of many reasons my plein air work serves mostly as studies and not as finished paintings. If I do a very large canvas, I wouldn't want to consider it a mere study. I would want a finished painting. But with all the visual stimuli out there and quickly changing light, most compositions aren't as well thought out as they could be." (Keith Bond)

 "Who is your audience? This a question that you should ask yourself early on if you are interested in art marketing. Unfortunately, it often seems that artists don't know the answer - most take a 'shotgun' approach to marketing. The 'shotgun' approach to art marketing -- in this context -- will only work if your artwork is varied. That said, if your artistic direction is focused... your targeting needs to be focused as well. Knowing your target audience is crucial if you wish to successfully market your artwork. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "Artists need to remember that Picasso created thousands of pieces during his lifetime... and not all of them were of the same caliber (at least not compared to the twenty or so that most likely pop in mind). Picasso's ego -- certainly his public image -- may have screamed 'everything I do is a masterpiece!'... but I'm certain that he faced doubts as well. Artist are human, correct? We ALL face doubt. Picasso may have felt that he was more human than human at times... but at the end of the day I'm certain that he had doubts just like everyone else." (Brian Sherwin)

 "Artist Douglas Arneson is known for creating elegant still life paintings. His approach to still life painting is strengthened by his love of traditional, academic art. Douglas notes that his approach to painting is 'cemented ' in strong drawing skills." (Carrie Turner)

 "The brushstrokes we leave on the lives of others never fade, but I didn't know that was literal as well as figurative. It is time to put my fears aside and move forward with understanding and faltering confidence. It is not too late to follow a 30-year-old dream and to paint like there is no tomorrow until all my tomorrows are gone. " (Lynne Hurd Bryant )

 "Artist John Feiser is a fine art photographer. John's approach to fine art photography concentrates primarily on natural scenes. His photographs often involve unique perspectives of situations found within the natural world. In a sense, his work reminds us not to take the beauty of nature for granted." (Carrie Turner )

 "The article by Mark Edward Adams reminded me that art magazine feature do not necessarily 'make' a career. Don't get me wrong... press is great! More power to you if you have been featured. But the idea that 'if I just get in this magazine!' -- or 'this specific gallery!', for that matter -- will solidify a career.... well -- it does not always happen that way. All of the forgotten faces in various art magazines from the past are proof of that. Art magazine coverage can be a good stepping stone (and great for documentation) -- but don't depend on it too much." (Brian Sherwin)

 "I realized that the artists who managed to fight through this recession have a better shot at longevity than most. The recession was a test of your resolve and passion. I think as we come out of these rough times we will be more adept at survival and will have gained the skills necessary to make a long fruitful artistic career. There will still be those that fade away but we are more likely to grow and bend with the times and prosper. " (Mark Edward Adams )

 "For this round of Staff Picks we had Carrie Turner (Editor of FineArtViews) and Gayle Faucette Wisbon (Artist Support Agent) select artwork that has been featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. We at FineArtViews encourage you to learn more about the following artists: Marti Walker, Ryan Allen Sobkovich, Lilly Langer" (FineArtViews)

 "I suppose my main point is that a competition win should not be the end -- use that momentum to your advantage. Seek press while the buzz is 'hot'. It won't 'make' your career... but it may offer a few stepping stones. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "It is true that some art collectors don't care about artist statements -- or details about artistic process, for that matter -- but others DO care. They WANT that information. In my opinion, it is better to have that info -- cover all the bases -- than ignore it outright. The art collectors who don't care about said info will likely avoid reading a statement if it is provided. Fair enough. That said, the collectors who WANT to read your artist statement WILL end up searching for it on your website. Imagine their disappointment when said info is not provided. They may look elsewhere... " (Brian Sherwin)

 "My experience has been that artists DO tend to have strong egos. They tend to have strong personalities in general. Fair enough. BUT it is important to remain 'down to earth' to a point. Remember to offer a hand to artists who have yet to reach your level of success. Remember to treat people... well... like people want to be treated - like YOU would want to be treated. People respect that. YOU need to respect your audience. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "There is a spontaneity and freshness in a plein air piece that you simply cannot replicate in the studio.If that is true, what is the purpose of studio work? If my muse is in nature, if I can capture color, value, atmosphere, and have that fresh spontaneous magic to my paintings, then why would I bother to paint in the studio?" (Keith Bond)

 "Artist Daggi Wallace is a pastel painter known for creating emotionally charged artwork. It has been said that Daggi captures the soul of her subjects and the essence of the moment in her masterful pastels. Concerning her style, Daggi says, "While my style is representational, I give it a contemporary touch by adding texture to the painting surface, using bold colors and contrast and leaving some areas of the painting less defined."" (Carrie Turner)

 "Fifteen minutes of fame doesn't make a career. An article in a magazine, newspaper, interview on television or multiple print ads may stroke your ego, but nothing much else. An artist's career is a lifetime venture. Just because an artist is on top doesn't mean they are sheltered from a crash. As has been stated, the higher you climb, the harder you fall." (Jack White)

 "One could argue that artists, in general, face more expenses than other people. Artists have materials to buy, studio lights to turn on, and so on. Artists sacrifice financially for what they love to do. Thus, the three factors mentioned above are a necessity. Failing to acknowledge one may very well disrupt your practice. Obviously this can apply to people exploring other directions as well -- but I think artists really need to focus on these three factors. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "It is fascinating to think about the social conditioning that exists within art world -- and how it impacts artists. We all know that our society / culture tends to view artist in a certain way. For example, it is assumed that ALL artists are 'bohemians', 'rebels', and so on -- OR that ALL artists embrace specific opinions collectively. Artists face these myths and stereotypes daily. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "For this round of Staff Picks we had Clint Watson (Founder of FASO) and art critic Brian Sherwin select artwork that has been featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. We at FineArtViews encourage you to learn more about the following artists: James Otto, Heather Craft, Diann Haist" (FineArtViews)

 "Because we're supposed to -- because the normal way of going about things is to join prestigious groups and enter prestigious shows and try to catch the attention of prestigious galleries and not even dream of doing things on our own. In order to sell artwork, we are told, the quality and beauty of the artwork itself is the last thing we're supposed to consider. We need the right group, the right publicity, the right show, to make it all happen. And in order to be in the right place at the right time, we need be joining those groups and buying those ads and entering those shows -- consistently writing out checks to other people in the belief that they will do something for us in return." (Carolyn Henderson)

 "If you use your plein air as reference for your studio work, realize that you need another reason for the studio painting. Simply enlarging the painting isn't enough. You need to have something new to say, or you need to find a way to improve what you tried to say. If you do, your studio works will speak with authenticity and will be much stronger." (Keith Bond)

 "Artist John Wentz explores the human condition by tapping into our collective anxieties. John uses symbolism, such as the gas masks that are common in his work, to note our fear of the unseen and unknown. He comments that his recent work represents the will to survive amid the dehumanizing effects of war." (Carrie Turner)

 "If you ask 10 artists about commissioned artwork you will likely receive several variants on how art commissions should be handled. It appears that there is no 'cookie-cut' solution as to how commissions should be handled in general. Each art commission is unique... because each client is unique. Thus, each commission involves unique factors /problems that must be worked around. That said, there are common factors that should be considered. These common factors can serve as a foundation for how you choose to handle the commission process. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "Don't forget that the Studio Hop is a community event. It may attract people from all walks of life - and incomes. Thus, you may want to think about offering affordable art. For example, you may want to consider creating an affordable series of quick drawings, monoprints, or small paintings on various surface if your 'regular' artwork tends to be priced in the thousands. You might be surprised by how much profit can be made by offering works priced between $5 and $20 at events like this. I know an artist from Jacksonville, Illinois who walked away with over $500 in hand after offering affordable / quickly created small works during a local event! " (Brian Sherwin)

 " There has been a lot of flooding in Illinois recently. It has made me think about some of the struggles that artists and galleries faced in NY due to flooding not long ago. Dozens of artists and galleries were impacted by the flooding -- and many lost data (destroyed computers, moldy memory sticks, soggy folders, you name it). It just goes to show that placing all of your data in one basket, if you will, is not the best thing to do. Unfortunately, we often don't think about these issues until we are impacted by them. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "The days of selective selling (holding a piece because a celebrity buyer 'might' stop by next month... even though Average Joe can pay upfront that day) and hardline snobbery within the various art markets are not over yet. That said, I think that establishing a consumer friendly / transparent environment for art buyers is a vital step for the majority of business-minded artists and art galleries...IF they desire to thrive in the future." (Brian Sherwin)

 "A word about unsuccessful paintings - yes they do happen, more times then I would like to admit. Artists do not allow themselves to practice. Every time we stand in front of our easels, we feel we must complete a masterpiece. If only we could. I take all those paintings of mine that just did not work, for whatever the reason, and I do not look at them as failures but just as practice, a learning experience. Artists are human and not perfect, so why do we expect our work to be perfect?" (Mark Brockman )

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 " It goes without saying that an artist will only donate to a cause that he or she believes in, right? That does not mean the artist should allow himself or herself to be treated poorly by the organizers. After all, these same organizations tend to bend over backwards in order to promote corporate or celebrity sponsors... so why not expect them to bend a little for artists who contribute toward the cause with their donated artwork?" (Brian Sherwin)

 "In my recent interview I made the following comments: "soul mates aren't found. Soul mates are made." and "you almost become a new being with a shared soul." (Of course, speaking about my wife)" (Clint Watson)

 "In the weeks ahead, I'll share animal fables, showing how each artist?er, I mean, animal? dealt with this calamitous time in history. Ants, beavers, spiders and ostriches, all have a tale to tell." (Luann Udell)

 " It has been argued that there are simply too many artists working today. This statement is often met with there needs to be more galleries!'... OR suggestions on how to define an artist professionally (some art world insiders have went as far as to suggest that there should be some form of artist / gallery union to weed' out the weaker links' of the art world). " (Brian Sherwin)

 "It is true that some art collectors don't care about artist statements OR details about artistic process... but others DO care. They WANT that information. In my opinion, it is better to have that info -- cover all the bases -- than ignore it outright. The art collectors who don't care about said info will likely avoid reading a statement if it is provided. Fair enough. That said, the collectors who WANT to read your artist statement WILL end up searching for it on your website. Imagine their disappointment when said info is not provided. They may look elsewhere... " (Brian Sherwin)

 "There are millions of public domain and Creative Commons images (many of which are free to use) in existence today. You could easily spend a lifetime viewing them all. Yet Richard Prince targeted specific copyrighted images created by Patrick Cariou. Considering all of the free possibilities that exist today... it is clear that Patrick Cariou's copyrighted images are a vital part of the images created by Richard Prince. It is a shame that Prince could not admit that outright. He disrespected Cariou... chipping at his own integrity in the process." (Brian Sherwin)

 "Life in the real world often feels like Looking Glass land, in that when we approach a project directly -- like, a really good painting; or marketing that painting -- we often seem to be back where we started. " (Carolyn Henderson )

 "When artwork is sold the artist retains ownership of the image in the form of copyright (unless the copyright is sold outright with a solid contract). Point-blank, art buyers DO NOT have the right to reproduce images IF the artist still holds copyright to the images. Said act would be considered copyright infringement. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "It is not hard to discover bitter artists online. The bitterness I speak of often takes the form of snarky, negative comments on art blogs, art forums, or social networking art groups. It is not uncommon to observe an artist downplay an accomplishment when another artist mentions what he or she has achieved. For example, if an artist mentions that he or she has won an art competition... you will likely observe another artist take a jab at the artists submission OR the art competition itself. I've observed a lot of this negativity online over the last decade. " (Brian Sherwin)

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 "A certain amount of self-doubt is healthy. It keeps us humble and motivates us to strive to learn, practice, and improve our art. But an overabundance can be harmful or even crippling." (Keith Bond)

 "We all know that everything an artist does can technically be used as a marketing tool -- be it a blog post about his or her art, a statement made on an art forum, a update on a social networking site... etc.. These forms of information can easily be tailored for use marketing-wise. I would suggest that gallery talks should be added to the list. " (Brian Sherwin)

 " If you follow art marketing blogs / forums you know that there are countless articles online concerning how to handle gallery rejection. That said, the proverbial shoe can just as easily be on the other foot - artists can -- and often do -- reject galleries." (Brian Sherwin)

 "The artwork used on an album cover will no doubt help to brand the band. Furthermore, the artwork may end up used on merchandise. Think of some notable bands - for example, Pink Floyd... I'm willing to bet that some of you instantly 'pictured' some of the artwork and designs associated with the band in your mind (specifically those created by Storm Thorgerson). The artist behind the artwork -- behind that aspect of the 'band image', if you will -- deserves a 'cut' of the profit if the band is unable to pay adequately from the get-go." (Brian Sherwin)

 "Art critic Brian Sherwin has selected three works of art featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. " (FineArtViews)

 " Do any of you use found objects when creating artwork? If so, what kind of objects do you use? Do you have any tips that you would like to share? How does the use of found objects apply to your art marketing efforts?" (Brian Sherwin)

 " It is often said that artists should keep 10 works on hand just in case an exhibit opportunity arises. " (Brian Sherwin)

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 " Are you the only artist in your family? OR do you come from a family of artists? In either case... how has it impacted your growth as an artist? Does your family support your love of viewing / creating art? " (Brian Sherwin)

 "We recently discussed the idea of artists banding together in order to establish alternative art magazines that focus on local art. Is this something you would consider doing? Would you focus on a print version... or keep it exclusively online? How would you 'pitch' this collective artist magazine in your community? It seems like a great idea... especially when one considers the number of artists who complain about lack of art magazine opportunities. Why wait for coverage... when you can create your own! " (Brian Sherwin)

 "These artists seem to think that they don't know how to sell. While I will be the first to admit that selling art is not the same as selling hula-hoops, selling art is still selling and artists do know how to sell. After all, they've been selling their whole life. Let me repeat that and direct it toward you. You've been in sales your whole life. " (Patricia J. Finley)

 "Have you ever regretted selling a work of art that you felt was not finished? Artist James Rosenquist mentioned to me, during an interview, that he actually bought back a piece in order to complete it. He had sold the piece when he was younger... and bought it back (at a higher price) later in life. Have you ever felt like doing that? " (Brian Sherwin)

 "The business-minded artist is technically operating a small business. Thus, the conflict over how 'fair use' should be interpreted is a business issues as much as it is an issue surrounding copyright itself. I, for one, think that an artist should be able to protect his or her business (which clearly involves being able to protect his or her creations - at least while living). Copyright -- strengthened by copyright registration -- is one of the best ways to do that... unless we sit back and allow a wide interpretation of 'fair use' to become the standard. " (Brian Sherwin )

 "When you know your work sells, then seeking a gallery or outdoor show is fine. Then, if an event or art gallery kicks sand in your face don't give up, keep moving forward. Use your brain and eliminate a lot of your personal agony. There are times when you should not take NO for an answer. But there are others when you should never put yourself in the place to be rejected to begin with. Seek the wisdom to know the difference and then go for it. Persevere in the face of disappointment." (Jack White)

 "Artist Lisa Kovvuri focuses primarily on oil portraits and still life paintings. Lisa has garnered recognition due to her highly detailed portrait commissions. Her portrait paintings have received praise due to her level of skill as a painter - and her ability to capture the personality of her subjects." (Carrie Turner)

 "For this round of Staff Picks we had three staff members select images that have been featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. " (FineArtViews)

 " I was once involved with an international art scholarship program designed with art majors in mind. After contacting several hundred colleges/ universities it was clear to me that many don't have alumni art exhibits. I realize that some do... but many don't. Should we try to change that?" (Brian Sherwin )

 " Can you remember your earliest experience with art? For example, can you recall your first visit to an art museum OR how you were introduced to your chosen medium? Have you blogged about these experiences? Your fans might want to know this info. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "You're not abandoning people all together; family members love and need you, after all. You are simply allowing yourself time, as an artist, away from outside voices and influence so that you can focus on that small, quiet, patient inner voice that gets drowned out by all the external shouting." (Carolyn Henderson)

 "These words resonate with me. Now, I will admit, I have had my fair share of excuses. And who knows what opportunities I have missed because of them. But, I have also seen the other side - and I try to stay on this other side. I know of the opportunities that will arise by not making excuses. " (Keith Bond)

 "What is your opinion of vanity galleries? I know that many artists describe them as 'scams' (though the venture may be legally legitimate)... while others view them as exhibit opportunities for artists who do not have gallery representation. Where do you stand on this issue? Are they 'scams' or opportunities?" (Brian Sherwin)

 "Artist Charles Cox is known creating painterly cityscapes and landscapes. Charles notes that his art practice focuses on accurate drawing and tones. Furthermore, he focuses on what he describes as "enjoyable details" and "entertaining brushwork". Needless to say, we at FineArtViews find his paintings to be both enjoyable and entertaining." (Carrie Turner)

 "This ruling won't serve the majority of artists. After all, most artists don't rely heavily on direct appropriation in the first place. In other words, I would argue that the majority of artists don't work from images they find online or elsewhere. This ruling serves a small percentage of artists... in some cases supporting their market while hampering YOUR market. I will go as far as to suggest that court rulings like this are a direct attack on self-representing artists. Pointblank, this decision is a major defeat for the majority of artists working today." (Brian Sherwin)

 "I often warn artists -- specifically younger artists --not to be taken advantage of by musicians concerning album cover art. I have taken this stance since the early days of Myspace.com. The offers I observed on Myspace made me sick. Thus, I took it upon myself to openly and actively warn artists to stand up for themselves before creating anything for a band. My position has caused some people to think that I look down at artists who create album cover art. That is not so. I just don't want to see artists duped out of hard work." (Brian Sherwin )

 "For this round of Staff Picks we had three staff members select images that have been featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. " (FineArtViews)

 "We have been discussing artistic style on FineArtViews a lot lately. Do you think it is important to develop a unique style? Do you feel that you have developed your own style? Why is developing a unique style important? " (Brian Sherwin )

 "Today, we start a new series called Getting to Know FASO's Awesome Support Team. Many of you have had the opportunity to interact with at least one member of FASO's positively remarkable support staff and we thought you might like to learn a bit about what makes each person on our team so awesome. " (Carrie Turner)

 " In the artists of my generation, people rarely talk about how an award or one man show will make their artistic career. The conversations are all about how to build relationships with collectors and those who appreciate art. We believe these relationships will make our career more than anything else. And a lot of the most exciting work coming out today is originating from these artists." (Mark Edward Adams )

 "I know that sticking to one medium can work wonders development-wise. BUT I can also see how exploring other mediums can further develop the primary medium. For example, I know painters who developed a more texture based approach to painting after exploring sculpture on the side. It also helped them to better understand form and space. Soooo there is value in exploring other directions. I would just be cautious about spreading yourself thin. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "I think one positive trend for artists will be as everything becomes so digital, so reproducible, so ubiquitous, there will be an increasing demand for hand-made, unique, artistic things. I suspect the demand for art will increase as these things come to pass. Also, as digital shopping becomes the norm, more and more people will be comfortable making big art purchases online. " (Clint Watson )

 "Behaviors that we might tolerate in our teenage boy (because he's "that age" and we love them) don't look good on grown-up men. Don't give fair organizers a hard time just because you're not getting your own way?most of them are/were artists themselves. It's not a "we vs. them" situation. We need them, they need us. Don't expect preferential treatment because you're a big name (or think you are.) We're all here to sell our work today! You can have a different opinion without the other person being "wrong"." (Luann Udell )

 "Artist David Savellano notes that he works primarily en plein air (outdoors), utilizing watercolor painting to capture random moments that he observes on the streets or in nature. Additionally, David creates plein air ink drawing and watercolor sketches in order to capture the essence and feel of a scene. He says that he strives to be "present in the moment"." (Carrie Turner)

 "For this round of Staff Picks we had three staff members select images that have been featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. " (FineArtViews)

 "The online art world has provided me with the perfect 'jumping point' for communication about art. I'm certain that many of you feel the same way. That does not change the fact that the art world can be a lonely place if your connections exist primarily online. Don't get me wrong... solitude is not necessarily a bad thing. That said, 'cultivating' offline art world connections can become a strong source of inspiration and professional growth." (Brian Sherwin)

 "The initial problem lies, however, in accepting that being alone is not weird. Too often, when we embark upon a creative outlet or a new lifestyle or gluten free eating or knitting socks from the toe up as opposed to top-down, or whatever it is that we want to get really good at, we seek out a group, because, we tell ourselves, "I will learn so much from other people, and that will help me advance." And so we start attending this group, monthly or weekly or every two weeks, and while we do learn good things from others around us, we also pick up -- and reinforce every time we attend the group -- not so good things as well." (Carolyn Henderson )

 " I've been reading about digital limited edition 'iArt'. For example, artist Francesco Clemente is currently offering one of his iPad drawings as a 'digitally editioned' iWork offered by s[edition. Discussions about iArt / iWork, appears to be trending. Is this just a trend? Could this way of offering artwork become a staple of the art market? Is this a new market? What do you think? I'm curious to know if any of you have considered this direction... or if you feel that it is just a fad. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "Artist Joseph Alleman works primarily with watercolor and oil and his paintings have become highly sought after due to his visionary portrayals of the West. Northern Utah is a source of inspiration for his paintings -- he is inspired by the regions land, towns, and people." (Carrie Turner)

 "Someone recently asked me for guidance on how to develop a personal style. The short answer is not to worry about it too much. It will come naturally with time. The caveat, though, is that you need to let it develop." (Keith Bond)

 "Artist Karen Stewart has a background in working with pastels, oils, acrylics, and watercolor. Karen's artwork is inspired by her travels - having lived in numerous locations throughout the United States. Her paintings - which often involve rural scenes - are strengthened by her strong use of color and unusual compositions." (Carrie Turner)

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 "For years, I have written and modified descriptions of some my narrative paintings only to feel inadequate to the task. I finally understand that this is not an inadequacy on our part as visual artists. It is our responsibility to focus on the visual. We have passport to leave the art of words to writers and novelists. Certainly both means of communication are limited and I suppose it is those things that can't be easily captured that make any art form somewhat magical. I think I'll embrace that for awhile. " ( Tricia Ratliff )

 "What do art writers want? I'll tell you. We want information. Repeat: We. Want. Information. (Art collectors want information as well!). You, the artist, can provide this information easily. After all, YOU know your art better than anyone else. YOU know what drives you. YOU know the context in which you create your art. YOU know if you embrace specific art theories. YOU know the parameters of your art practice. YOU know what you would like us to write about. Tell us about it! Guide us. Anything less is a 'guessing game'... which can lead to missed opportunities. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "For this round of Staff Picks we had Clint Watson (Founder of FASO) and art critic Brian Sherwin select artwork that has been featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. " (FineArtViews)

 " I know of several artists, including Chet Zar, who make custom frames for their paintings. All of them have noted that their custom frames have spurred interest from collectors. In a sense, the frames I speak of are part of the artwork itself. For example, Zar's frames often involve highly detailed skulls and other symbols that play on the style he is known for. " (Brian Sherwin)

 " If you frequent this forum you likely focus a lot of your attention on online art marketing. That said, it is still important to keep connected 'offline'. One of the best ways to do that is to focus on your local art community. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "I'm sure most of us complete a piece of artwork, make sure we have natural light and take digital photos, then load them to a computer, do some kind of cropping for clean edges, save the photo, go to FASO, to our Facebook fan page, our Facebook wall and upload the photos, write all the descriptions and move along to the next piece of artwork. For me, this process could take more than hour especially if the digital camera and I were not getting along and if the photos were blurred, I'd have to repeat part of this process at least once. The app ended a lot of this work" ( Lynne Hurd Bryant)

 "The secret of selling is continuing to ask questions that cannot be answered with a yes or no. Get your client talking and then listen, CAREFULLY. If you will listen judiciously, your client will tell you what you need to know to close the sale. I wish you good questions, happy listening and lots of closed sales. " (Jack White)

 "With this static in the background, it is difficult to find the silence or the solitude long enough to realize that constantly being around other people, engaged in formal or informal group activity, isn't always the best thing. And getting away from this noise isn't always a bad thing. And, especially if you're an artist -- it's a good thing, a necessary thing, because so much of what you create comes not only from your hands but is directed by your brain, heart, and soul, all three of which desperately need some silence and time away from distractions. " (Carolyn Henderson)

 "For this round of Staff Picks we had Carrie Turner, Editor of FineArtViews, select artwork that has been featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. " (FineArtViews)

 "Take part in open studio visits in your area. Studio visits can be a great way to get to know artist in your community. Furthermore, you may want to consider helping to organize studio visits that are open to the public. Open studio tours can be a great way to interact with the public if several participating artists live near you. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "What have you done so far this year to improve your art marketing efforts? What are your art marketing goals for the rest of the year? " (Brian Sherwin)

 "A legitimate art coach won't promise you millions of dollars in art sales. He or she will be realistic AND tailor specific financial goals (if at all) on a case-by-case basis. If the art coach uses a pitch that reads like a 'get rich quick' scheme... it likely is -- and you will just be out money after everything is said and done. Seek legitimate art marketing coaches... avoid the art marketing roaches. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "Artist Carole Rafferty is known for creating thought-provoking portraits and captivating urban scenes. Working primarily with oil paint, Carole also creates exquisite watercolor paintings. She notes that she's studied with several master artists - including, Jove Wang and Rebecca Alzofon." (Carrie Turner)

 "Now, let's assume you sign up for a workshop. You want to understand how to fit those remaining pieces together. But what happens instead is the instructor dumps a thousand or so more pieces right in the middle of your puzzle you are trying to put together. Now your pieces and the instructor's pieces are all mixed up. And to top it off, the instructor removes some of the pieces you put down and replaces them with new pieces. This can cause you a lot of frustration" (Keith Bond)

 "First you make the friends. Without a network of good friends and contacts, there is no art career. They build and hold us together. They encourage and critique. They buy and they spread the word. " (Carolyn Hancock)

 "Artist Carol Staub creates abstract mixed-medium paintings that often involve found objects and elements of collage. Carol describes herself as a self-taught artist. She notes that she has received over 120 national and international awards for her artwork. " (Carrie Turner)

 "Anyone who adds these desires -- the desire for fame and fortune -- to the top of their priority list from the get-go is likely doomed for failure (at least in the way they interpret life and success). You can easily defeat yourself with flights of fantasy -- daydreams can easily become nightmares. Stay focused on the 'here and now'. Focus on what you are doing today. Don't allow the art world 'rich myth' to consume you. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "Art critic Brian Sherwin has selected three works of art featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. " (FineArtViews)

 "The bottom line is that we are all artistic. We are all creative. " (Patricia J. Finley )

 "Artist Ana Paula Portilla has utilized a variety of mediums over the years. Ana has created installations that involve textile art, oil and watercolor paintings on various surfaces, and crochet sculpture. She has explored a number of themes with her artwork - including the status of women and ideas concerning the loss of natural landscapes." (Carrie Turner)

 " If you following my writing on FineArtViews you know that I often offer art blogging tips. That said, do YOU have any tips? What kind of content do you provide on your artist website blog? Do you write about your artwork? Do you write about your local art scene? In your opinion, what kind of posts seem to draw visitors to your blog? " (Brian Sherwin)

 "When it comes to the business of art, sometimes new skills and attitudes are called for from all of us. And because many of us artist types purposely went for a creative path in life rather than a business path, some of us struggle with the marketing and business side of art." (Luann Udell)

 "Artist Ana Paula Portilla has utilized a variety of mediums over the years. Ana has created installations that involve textile art, oil and watercolor paintings on various surfaces, and crochet sculpture. She has explored a number of themes with her artwork - including the status of women and ideas concerning the loss of natural landscapes." (Carrie Turner)

 "Let yourself listen to yourself, and if you feel that the words fake, artificial, and affected describe your behavior at the party last night, then rip off that mask and tear it up." (Carolyn Henderson )

 "For this round of Staff Picks we had Carrie Turner (Editor of FineArtViews) and Gayle Faucette Wisbon (Artist Support Agent) select artwork that has been featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. " (FineArtViews)

 " Do you offer an artist statement on your website? If so, do you feel it is an important step in connecting with potential fans / buyers? Do you feel that it is important to provide an artist statement? " (Brian Sherwin )

 " Describe your studio space. Is your art studio located in your home? Is it located outside of your home? Is your studio space 'any spare space you can find'? Is your art studio a private place... or do you open your doors to the public (potential buyers, fellow artists, and others)? Tell us about where you create art." (Brian Sherwin)

 "I didn't (and still don't) want a fish, I wanted to learn how to fish. For me, specific techniques, methods, materials, etc. are fishes. On the other hand, learning how to fish is a combination of learning the basic foundation (the fundamentals) coupled with learning how to see and respond emotionally to your subject. " (Keith Bond)

 "Artist Crystal Cook focuses primarily on watercolor painting, however, she has been known to explore other mediums. Crystal creates portrait, figurative, and still life paintings. Additionally, she creates paintings of animals - with a concentration on equine art." (Carrie Turner)

 "What first interested you about creating art? What inspired you to embrace the creation of art as a way of life? Was there a specific moment that 'fueled' your need to create art? Have you shared your story on your art blog or newsletter? How does your story apply to the way you market your art? " (Brian Sherwin)

 "Artist Virginia Cole currently focuses on abstracted images using mixed water media. Virginia notes that she is fascinated by the creative process and that her art is ever-changing -- evolving based upon inspiration she gains from a wide range of sources." (Carrie Turner)

 "There is NO golden art marketing plan to follow. There is NO guaranteed art marketing strategy. There is NO $19.95 magic ticket. What works for one artist may work for you... or not. I'm placing my money on 'not'. That is the reality of the situation. If a 'golden art marketing plan', 'guaranteed art marketing strategy' or '$19.95 magic ticket' existed... every artist would be rich because that information would have been leaked a long time ago. You may learn something from those tips... but don't expect to be swimming in money. This 'loud' myth -- the idea that ALL artists want to be rich -- creates a lot of useless 'noise' within the world of art marketing. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "Painting itself is a multitasking activity that demands doing and paying attention to many things at once." (Donald Fox)

 "Practice your art, practice being happy with your art and improving it, and practice being happy where you are today. Your art will greatly improve because you have gained confidence in your own abilities. You will feel contented and satisfied with being who you are and what you have to say with your own art style. " ( Sandy Askey-Adams)

 "We at FineArtViews encourage you to learn more about these artists: Mary Jane Erard, Chuck Larivey, Rachel Pettit." (FineArtViews)

 "It is now up to the artist to create marketing campaigns, reach out to the magazines, and interact with collectors. Any artist can now make a name for themselves in this new order. It is a huge opportunity along with a huge responsibility. Your success now rests solely on your shoulders. " (Mark Edward Adams )

 "Artist Julie Bender is a master of the art of pyrography (a process of decorating wood or other materials with burn marks resulting from the controlled application of a heated object). Julie's artwork is often focused on wildlife and western subjects. Her work has garnered high acclaim - and has been sought after by museums and art collectors." (Carrie Turner)

 "There is no one way of being that is the correct persona, and if you find yourself pressured into creating an alter ego -- Smile! Brighten that eye! Lean forward into the listener, shorten that space between you, and project confidence and warmth! -- allow yourself to stop and consider whether you can at all do this naturally, or whether you will look like a two-by-four pretending to be a table cloth." (Carolyn Henderson )

 " I have self-published through blurb.com, to copyright my ideas and images for my children's books. I am looking into options to be published by a publishing house. Some websites state that to have an agent is the only way to go, yet other websites mention that some publishing houses accept unsolicited manuscripts." (Jan Stommes)

 "I would often find a trail of our business cards on the ground when returning back to the gallery location or art fair booth space. In addition, I would often spot other discarded business cards that had been handed out by artists and galleries during the same frame of time. It was so bad at times that I would joke about not having to be worried about getting lost ? I could just follow our cards back to the location. It was a trail of waste... wasted money AND wasted opportunity." (Brian Sherwin)

 "Artist Peggy Vineyard has a background in both sculpture and painting. Peggy's artwork often involves elements of watercolor, acrylic, and collage. She notes that she is highly focused on experimentation in her art studio - concentrating on the exploration of abstraction." (Carrie Turner)

 "So, some of you may have painted for many years. You have taken workshops in the past. You might even teach them now. But if you have reached a plateau or you simply want to understand art at a higher level, then consider attending another workshop." (Keith Bond)

 "" ()

 "We can all learn from our mistakes -- and help others by teaching what we have learned. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "To enjoy art, is it really that necessary to have taken art history courses, to have visited some of the great European museums or to be or have been involved in creating something yourself? While these experiences may give you a head start, they certainly are not required to enjoy what someone else has created, today." (Jim Benest )

 "The Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) and Die Brücke (The Bridge) were both known for handing out make-shift booklets about their artwork -- including detailed information about their philosophy as artists. They used the booklets to promote themselves, their art movement, and other causes. This early form of artist self-publishing can still be useful today. Furthermore, it can be accomplished with little expense involved depending on how it is done. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "For this round of Staff Picks we had Carrie Turner (Editor of FineArtViews) and Clint Watson (Founder of FASO) select artwork that has been featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. We at FineArtViews encourage you to learn more about these artists: Jan Schmuckal, Andrew Orr, Brett James Smith " (FineArtViews)

 "Do you reach out to artists in your area? Do you work with other artists in your area in order to establish mutual exposure? How do you help each other out? Do you build alliances with local artists with mutual benefit in mind? Share your experience and tips. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "Artist Fran Noonan creates emotionally charged landscape paintings. Fran's landscape paintings of open fields and wooded areas capture the rustic essence of nature. His approach to painting twisted branches, darkened hollows, and fleeting sunlight reveal natural scenes that are both haunting and spiritual." (Carrie Turner)

 "Ask for advice EARLY, before you've run your project/idea/business into the ground. Understand CLEARLY what is being asked of you. And know that you'll need discipline and hard work to make it happen." ( Luann Udell)

 "And yet they felt compelled to create themselves into something that they obviously were not, with the mistaken notion that somehow, people would be more attracted to their substitute persona as opposed to their real personality. Maybe these particular examples weren't very good, and that's why they didn't work -- and maybe there are people out there who have created really, really good alter egos that do work, but the questions for you, and me, is this -- do we need to change who we are to be successful?" (Carolyn Henderson )

 "This much is certain: if you avoid local newspapers - don't expect them to seek you out. Put your fears / cynical attitude aside long enough to reach out to local press. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "All of us, to a certain extent, exhibit multiple personality traits in different circumstances and around varying people, and it's not a bad thing." (Carolyn Henderson)

 "Art critic Brian Sherwin has selected three works of art featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. " (FineArtViews)

 "Artist Scott Mattlin describes himself as an artist with a deep and passionate appreciation for beauty in the natural world and with the human spirit. Scott embraces an impressionistic style of painting. He holds to representational roots while at the same time incorporating abstract elements. His figure and landscapes paintings have been described as having both an 'old world feel' and 'modern edge'." (Carrie Turner)

 " For those of you who use sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ to promote your artwork... do you have any tips for social media updates (specifically posts/updates that involve your art OR art marketing efforts)?" (Brian Sherwin)

 "Should artists consider hiring someone to help with art marketing efforts? Is it worth the investment? Have you hired someone in the past? If so, what was that experience like? Did it help? Did it save you time? Would you do it again?" (Brian Sherwin)

 "Artist Petrea Noyes explores a number of directions with her artistic process. Petrea utilizes aspects of photography, painting, drawing, collage and digital manipulation. " (Carrie Turner)

 "I'm not against a more eclectic approach to creativity. I'm just pointing out that there is a historical / psychological basis for the dominance of artistic style / creative repetition. You, the artist, are not being 'less creative' if you adhere to a specific direction." (Brian Sherwin)

 "Artist Phil Couture is known for exploring various cultures with his artwork. Philippe works with a variety of mediums -- including charcoal and oil -- in order to capture the essence of what he discovers during his world travels." (Carrie Turner)

 "A pet peeve of mine is when people dismissively say "You are just talented." They don't realize it but this negates all the hard work put into what I do. Would you tell a surgeon that? Would you tell a movie director that?" (Clement Scott )

 "For this round of Staff Picks we had Carrie Turner (Editor of FineArtViews) and Gayle Faucette Wisbon (Artist Support Agent) select artwork that has been featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. " (FineArtViews)

 "What advice do you have concerning preparation for an upcoming exhibit? How do you keep yourself organized? " (Brian Sherwin)

 "It is never easy to sell art, and in a sluggish, insecure, unimproving economy in which more and more people find themselves downsized, dazed and down and out, art really doesn't bounce around in a happy fashion. And yet, especially in a sluggish, insecure, unimproving economy, we need art as a means to point to something higher, greater, mightier, more noble, and more beautiful than what we read about in the news every day. " (Carolyn Henderson )

 "For this round of Staff Picks we had Carrie Turner (Editor of FineArtViews) and Clint Watson (Founder of FASO) select artwork that has been featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. " (FineArtViews)

 "Handing business cards out indiscriminately can have mixed results... some artists swear by this practice (I just spoke with an artist who hands her business cards out at random while shopping or eating out) while others view it as a waste of money. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "I wonder if artists today could benefit from what artist groups like Der Blaue Reiter did with self-promotion decades ago... creating and handing out booklets about their artwork within their local community." (Brian Sherwin)

 "Call it artistic style or creative repetition... either way it helps an artist to gain renown for what he or she is doing. Developing an artistic style can help to set an artist apart from others... while also leaving room for overall artistic growth (it is not as if a style is developed over night!). " (Brian Sherwin)

 "To recap, mastery of greens only comes through careful observation and practice. Avoidance is not the answer. You may not paint a summer landscape which is nearly entirely green. But you will still need to understand green to paint a winter scene which seems devoid of green, a portrait of a woman wearing white, or a still life with teapots and eggs. You need not be a master to paint greens convincingly." (Keith Bond)

 "Artist Ginger Oglesby creates energetic abstract paintings. Ginger works primarily with acrylic paint. However, she notes that she has always been intrigued with movement, connections and collaborations regardless of the medium." (Carrie Turner)

 "Artist S. C. Mummert focuses on plein air landscapes and figurative work. Chris describes himself as a representational impressionist. He strives to seize and share the essence and beauty of the moment with oil paint and canvas." (Carrie Turner)

 "Being dedicated to an artistic style does not necessarily mean that you are being less creative or less artistic compared to an artist who embraces creativity with a shotgun approach. It just means that you are dedicated to a specific direction. That choice can make perfect business AND artistic sense." (Brian Sherwin)

 " A few artists acquire a patron who buys so many of their creations that those artists are free to focus solely on producing artwork, but those patrons are far and few between. The rest of us keep creating, not knowing if anyone else but ourselves will like our work, let alone find a collector who will pay for the artwork to be part of their collection." (Jan Stommes)

 "Despite all the types of rejection, the most important part is to keep on moving forward and to not give up. If things are getting bad, take a break and seek out people for their opinion on what you may do to improve your presentation. In the end, it is all a numbers game and it does become a lot easier. It stops becoming this big ordeal and is just part of the job. " (Mark Edward Adams)

 "For this round of Staff Picks we had art critic Brian Sherwin and artist Gayle Faucette Wisbon select artwork that has been featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. " (FineArtViews)

 "I have been reading about how independent specialized art fairs (often considered a mini-art fair within a larger art fair OR held at an alternative space near a major art fair) are becoming more common. In fact, it has been said that art galleries are strongly looking into the possibilities of specialized art fairs in order to gain a sense of independence from the BIG art fairs they are involved with." (Brian Sherwin)

 " I recently listened to a segment on NPR about criticism. Long story short, a researcher from Chicago has found that positive criticism may have little to no value to someone who is a 'veteran' of their field. The research suggested that people learn to shrug positive criticism off at a certain point in their career. I wonder if the same statement can be applied to the art world and artists. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "Take good notes when you're getting advice - even bad advice! Remember the only good thing I got from the fine craft consultant? I found that in my notes later. All I could remember from the session was bad stuff, insulting stuff, infuriating stuff. There was a tiny nugget of useful information in there. I would have missed it entirely if I'd relied only on my memory. " ( Luann Udell)

 "Artist Sarah Margaret Gibson creates exquisite portraits and figure art working primarily with oil paint and charcoal. " (Carrie Turner)

 "Art critic Brian Sherwin has selected three works of art featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. " (FineArtViews)

 "Artists are sensitive, we are frequently told, and it's generally true -- but sensitive does not mean weak, ineffectual, or unintelligent. Sensitive means thoughtful, analytical, and soul searching -- three elements that are noticeably missing from our 1) political arena and 2) business establishments." (Carolyn Henderson)

 "How close you stay to (perceived) reality and how much you deviate and create something entirely new is completely up to you. But don't be so tied to a literal depiction that you fail to see the possibilities of improving upon the design you see in nature." (Keith Bond )

 "This much is certain: if you avoid local newspapers - don't expect them to seek you out. Put your fears / cynical attitude aside long enough to reach out to local press." (Brian Sherwin)

 "For this round of Staff Picks we had three staff members select images that have been featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. " (FineArtViews)

 "I know the experts will say you should find a niche, a technique, a subject, a look, and then you can be a success. Galleries often only want in your painting what you had brought them before. I know it may make good business sense, maybe, but does it make good artistic sense? I guess each artist will have to make that judgment for themselves." (Mark Brockman )

 "For this round of Staff Picks we had art critic Brian Sherwin and Carrie Turner (Editor of FineArtViews) select artwork that has been featured on the FASO Daily Art Show." (FineArtViews)

 "After years of trial and error, I've developed a system for painting in the snow that minimizes my personal discomfort and allows me to paint outside in the winter." (Kathleen Dunphy)

 "Just because a Print on Demand service states that their prints are 'museum quality' does not mean that they really are." (Brian Sherwin)

 "I know artists who have placed so much focus on art marketing that it has chipped away at why they pursued art in the first place. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "Clear your thoughts of trying to find some magical way to instantly and effortlessly sell art. The quicker you learn that art has to be sold, the faster you will reach the top. You can't mass market art. Art is sold one piece at a time. " (Jack White)

 "Art critic Brian Sherwin has selected three works of art featured on the FASO Daily Art Show." (FineArtViews)

 "Anybody can learn to be crafty -- it's pretty much picking up a series of techniques based upon taking advantage of how people think; but being a person that other people trust -- that's a long term, lifelong project, that takes an amazing amount of hard work, self-analysis, and determination." (Carolyn Henderson)

 "Lack of recognition -- be it in the form of failing to win an art prize OR failing to sell a piece -- is not a reason to 'give up' as an artist. It is not a valid reason for tossing your passion aside. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "What is so important about defining what art can and should be?" (Brian Sherwin)

 "" ()

 " Remember that there are many ways tax-wise for business-minded artists to save money. Remember that when you go to file your taxes. " (Brian Sherwin)

 "Please, please remember that Sharing Art Enriches Life... and one of the simplest ways to do that is with an email newsletter." (Clint Watson)

 "Carrie Turner, Editor of FineArtViews, has selected three works of art featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. " (FineArtViews)

 "How do you use sites like Facebook and Pinterest to promote your website? Do you think it is important to have a presence on those sites? Share your experience -- what have you learned about social networking / sharing with art marketing (and website branding) in mind? " (Brian Sherwin)

 "If you do get advice that makes your heart leap, then make a REAL EFFORT." (Luann Udell)

 "The happiest people -- and those who are best at what they do -- are those who are secure in who and what they are." ( Carolyn Henderson )

 "Offering discounted artwork for regular buyers OR at specific times of the year is a common art marketing strategy. However, some artists argue that the practice is risky -- or that it may be considered unethical (offending buyers who were not offered a discount)." (Brian Sherwin)

 "The biggest mistake I see on most artist websites is not providing a way for the visitor to sign up for a newsletter... it's a big mistake. There are people like me who want to follow you, and if you don't give us a simple action to take on your website.....we'll leave." (Clint Watson)

 "Art galleries are protective of their client lists for several reasons. There are financial and legal factors to consider. Keep that in mind before assuming that a gallery is 'out to cheat' artists by 'hiding' the client list." (Brian Sherwin)

 "Artist Susan Jansen works with a variety of mediums. Susan is known for the expressive quality of her artwork -- which includes oil paintings, charcoal drawings, pastel paintings, and watercolors. " (Carrie Turner)

 "Don't worry about yourself and focus on others. Your collectors, fans, students, tribe will be uplifted and enriched. You will feel the immense satisfaction of knowing that you made a difference in someone's life. And you will grow financially as well." (Keith Bond)

 "As a writer I strive to offer current / factual information about artists to readers -- artists should strive to offer the same to their website visitors (which may include potential buyers, gallery owners, and art writers)." (Brian Sherwin)

 "Creativity is the blood of the soul." (John DeMarco)

 "There is no substitute for miles on the brush" (Richard Rogers)

 "Artists often ask me how they can "drive more traffic" to their art websites. I've seen some artists become practically obsessed with the latest technique du jour while virtually ignoring their small, but devoted, band of fans and collectors. " (Clint Watson)

 "Artist Doug Fuchs has garnered attention for his digital painting techniques. Doug has an academic background in traditional mediums - but he now paints exclusively on a computer. " (Carrie Turner)

 "For this round of Staff Picks we had art critic Brian Sherwin and Carrie Turner (Editor of FineArtViews) select artwork that has been featured on the FASO Daily Art Show. " (FineArtViews)

 "Obviously, the economy has been better, but it's not simply the economy's fault you're not selling art." (Clint Watson)