We often forget that even the most praised artists created 'lesser' works. The works we view in the books -- and at museums -- likely reflect only a small percentage of what the artist created throughout his or her life. They tend to be the 'best of the best'. You have to step back and think of all of the 'failures' that led up to those works. Don't be fooled into thinking that those praised artists created one masterpiece after another. Heck, even the Old Masters made mistakes... so it is safe to assume that even they faced doubt while chasing perfection. [...]

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. [...]

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. [...]

We all have a personal definition for what art is. I, for one, feel that art is anything made with art in mind. I feel that the intention of creating art should be present during the creation of the piece. In other words, something is art if the creator of the piece intended it to be art from the get-go. I know that some readers will agree with my position -- while others will challenge it. These are arguments that are recycled year after year, decade after decade, century after century... it will continue. [...]

I would suggest that the current direction in graffiti art -- at least the institutionally critiqued version -- can be described as a selfish act. It is a thirst for fame and fortune, rather than a tool for facilitating real change... it is a market ploy rather than a tool for exposing social struggles -- a chunk of culture reduced to a mere gimmick. I refuse to defend that. I won't. [...]

The exploration of video games as an art form has been a buzzed about topic in recent years. [...]

Consider this a call for a discussion about apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic themes in current art. These directions are clearly on the rise... and the familiar 'Good vs. Evil' interpretations of the past don't necessarily apply today. [...]

Artist Leszek Harasimowicz is a painter known for exploring various directions with his art. [...]

To the 'painting is dead' banner wavers – past and present, I say... painting does not need you to write an epitaph. [...]

We can spend our whole lives hating the state of art in America, modern art, represenational art, galleries, and everything else we deem problematic in the art world. But does this help anyone? Are our opinions on these matters greater than teaching others about our world and how we create our art? [...]

With the ever-increasing wealth of high-end art collectors, the price of art will continue to skyrocket but this sale seems, well, crazy. Who knows where this madness will end. [...]

Art is expressive, expansive and evolutive. And it is spiritual and sacred in that it leads us to a deeper, broader, more honest awareness of what, and why, we are. The arts, if they’re properly fed, can help our world avoid a crash and burn; and if they’re not fed, and we do crash, it will be the arts that lift us back up again. [...]

You can spot a David Leffel or Richard Schmid clone when you see their first painting. It’s interesting to thumb through art magazines and see artists copying these and other masters. Copy is all they will ever do, because they will never reach the level of their master. I don’t blame the teachers for being so powerful; it’s the fault of the student not to seek their own level. No matter how well you paint David’s style you will always remain a copy. Your voice will belong to your teacher. Those who stand out have their own original voice. [...]

There is a 'world' of art out there -- art that you will not read about in the top art magazines... or view in influential art galleries. [...]

Those early online art marketing / online art branding pioneers -- a mix of artists and online art entrepreneurs -- realized the importance of having a strong online presence for art -- they knew it would be the way of the future... and that future art collectors would embrace it as well. [...]

For the first time in history ALL artists had the opportunity to approach the public in a significant way -- all thanks to the Internet. [...]

Most within the mainstream art world (the world of high profile art galleries and top ranking art rags -- I mean, mags) ridiculed the idea of selling art online OR ignored it entirely until now. [...]

I was reminded recently about a story involving artist Salvador Dali and power art collector Stavros Niarchos. [...]

There is a 'world' of art in the United States that has went under the mainstream radar simply because most professionals within the mainstream gallery and museum 'world' fail to really 'look' for art today. [...]

The émigré Chinese here are kicking our proverbial asses with the training they receive - until we wake up and realize drawing and painting are worthwhile endeavors for our youth and invest in real training, western art students are in for a very hard, disappointing time. [...]

There are ways to reach Generation X and it is not too late. But it requires a change of plan. [...]

The consensus among the artists I communicated with appears to be that the use of art assistants is acceptable depending on the context in which said assistants are used -- and that assistants should not be used to make up for a lack of talent. [...]

The artist who strives to find meaning -- hours spent in the studio trying to find a hint of understanding -- in the experiences that haunt us strikes at the core of what it means to be human. Again, that in itself holds a beauty of its own. [...]

There is a younger generation of artists who know these art writers by name -- and many communicate with them on a daily basis. That connection was never present when print ruled the realm of art criticism and opinion. [...]

These are tough times for artists. As the Recession drags and lingers on, people who are told daily in the news that the Recession is dragging and lingering on are limiting what they buy. They’re not not buying, mind you – we Americans are not the type to go on an indefinitely austere diet – but they’re also not sashaying through the galleries and scooping up a still life for the kitchen and a figurative for the bathroom. [...]

What happens if a group of artists successfully strengthen the recognition of an art movement they helped spur only to be told later that they can't use the name of the art movement during exhibits or in the press because it is protected by trademark law -- controlled by someone outside of the movement OR by someone who was not a founding member? [...]

There is no substitute for experience. The only way to gain experience is to practice. Paint as often as possible. Question as you go. [...]

The problem is that the mainstream art world, as in the world of high profile art galleries, and other major art world players that have what one could describe as a parasitic relationship to them -- such as the big name art magazines -- are clearly influenced by art collectors who fall within the 1%. [...]

The Occupy Wall Street movement has lit a fire of protest throughout the United States and abroad. It appears that the mainstream art world is not protected from the flames. In the last month groups such as Occupy Art World, Occupy Museums, and Occupy Chelsea have emerged -- all railing against the influence the 1% has had on the direction of art in the United States. [...]

The history of painting goes on -- the future of painting is certain. As I write this I know that somewhere an artist is painting the future in ways that would force even the most cynical of art critics to stand jaw-dropped in awe. [...]

I’m here to tell you all is not lost until we give up. There is always hope when we still have life. These days will pass and we who stick to our dreams will be on top when things improve. And they will, they always do. [...]

Could the art market experts and art critics of today be wrong about specific forms of art and the impact they have on the sensibilities of the public? If one looks at Facebook pages it would seem that these influential art writers are blind to the desire the average citizen has in regard to art. [...]

Vandalog has quickly risen to become one of the most visited street art blogs in the world. With a stable of contributing and guest writers Vandalog offers up to date information about street art -- as the blog declares, if something matters in the world of street art, you can read about it on Vandalog. [...]

To be considered fine art does the art itself take on a higher level of importance than the creator’s idea? Or does the strength of the idea automatically contribute to the advancement of art for art’s sake? If there is honesty in a work of art, by virtue of the intent, does that art promote the advancement of art and leave a lasting mark on society? What about an honest work that lacks skill? Is it still a true work of art? [...]

Having worked within the industry of commercial art sites for 7 years I realize how important it is for the community to expose sites like Art4Love. After all, it has been a long uphill battle for commercial art sites, in general, to find acceptance within the mainstream art world. The actions of individuals such as Chad Love Lieberman and Craig Pravda does not help art sites in general to gain ground. Their actions slap the face of legitimate online art businesses. That, in itself, is "news worthy" in my opinion. [...]

Think, if you will, how good it feels to be in the moment of making your art. Or how great you feel in a gallery or artist’s studio selecting a wonderfully appealing work of art for your home or office. Feel, if you can, that rush of dopamine and enjoy it to the max! It’s good for you! [...]

The National Veterans Art Museum (NVAM), formerly known as the National Vietnam Veterans Art Museum, is located in Chicago, Illinois. NVAM is home to over 2,000 works of art. The art in the collection-- representing over 250 artists who are combat veterans -- is dedicated to displaying and studying art produced by veterans from the Vietnam War and other wars and conflicts. The artwork presented at the museum provides a unique viewpoint on the controversial subject of war to all visitors. It is a tenuous and reflective balance of beauty and horror, giving unique insight into the psyche of combat veterans and consequential hindsight war leaves on its survivors. [...]

Blek le Rat (Xavier Prou) has been described in many ways... some call him "the man who gave birth to Banksy.", others -- "the grandfather of street art". Most within the global street art community fondly address Blek as the "original stencil pioneer", "The old man of street art", or the "modern street art messiah". In fact, it often seems that street artists rising in popularity look to Blek for a nod of approval... like a son or daughter who desires his/her father to be proud. [...]

It’s been said that life bears down and wearies the soul, whereas art reminds us that we have one. [...]

What kind of genius (artistic or otherwise) are you? Wired Magazine's July issue has a story featuring the work of economist and art aficionado David Galenson. His theory suggests that creative geniuses come in two distinct types - Quick and Dramatic or Careful and Quiet.I've just checked Wired's web site (http://www.wired.com) and they say they will be posting the reprint of the article on the site on July 11th.He calls the Quick and dramatic types "Conceptualists", while the careful and quite types are called "Experimentalists." The heart of the theory is that the Conceptualists do their best works when they are [...]