Today's guest author, Brett Busang, is an independent artist, curator, and, perhaps somewhat jaundiced observer of the people and places we most identify with the art industry: museums, galleries (and the people who run them); the critics, the press, and the taste-makers generally; and, of course, the artists themselves, good, bad, or indifferent.  Expect to hear his version of the unvarnished truth in all its maddening complexity and fascinating paradox.  Don't expect to be soothed, lulled, or vindicated necessarily - though he's a pretty normal fellow in many ways.  Like the average person, he likes sunsets, the birthing of dogs and [...]

A subscriber sent me the following email.  It is the best description of how the Cashier's Check/Art Scam works.  I can't verify that this email is true, but it does outline the workings of the scam.  I had another subscriber email me directly who did receive a fake cashier's check.  She had not send any funds or art in her case, so it just cost her a bit of time, but no dollars.Clint---------------ART SCAM:I received this email from an acquaintance, so I can't verify that it was  true but it was interesting enough to pass on!I received an email (from a [...]

A few years ago I was out driving through the country about where Spear Hill Rd meets the Cushing Rd in the South Warren/North Cushing area. As I came to the intersection, I saw the hull of a lobster boat sitting in a stand of pine trees. Just a hull, no cabin. It immediately struck me as a scene that I might like to paint, being so out of the ordinary. Have you ever seen a lobster boat in a forest? A local lobsterman (fisherman) had made a clearing near his house so that he could work on his boat. I [...]

I'm coming to believe that developing the right habits is the most important step for success in every area of life. Habits drive our actions and actions drive who we are and what we become. We want to encourage good habits and discourage bad habits. Many accomplished artists I know have described to me the process of practicing their technique until it becomes "subconscious." In other words, they practice until their technique becomes a "habit." These sorts of habits make experts. Michael Jordan developed a habit of “nothin' but net.” Warren Buffet developed a habit of picking undervalued investments (and is [...]

I can tell you from a marketer's point of view, developing one's own artistic style is essential to gaining the eye of collectors. Collectors posses a sentiment of, "if it looks just like reality, I'll just take a photograph." One's personal artistic style for many buyers IS the "art" in the artwork. Without the style, it's just "work." While I never advocate painting "for the market", it is worthwhile to keep this in mind. Sincerely,ClintSoftware Craftsman and Art Fanatic [...]

If you honestly improve your artistic skills every single day, I can’t guarantee success will wrap her beautiful arms around you. But I can guarantee that you will deserve her sweet embrace [...]

I was recently involved as the webmaster of an online art competition. It ran for a year and garnered 1,740 entries over the period of 12 months. There were 144 finalists chosen (12 from each month's entries). At the end of the competition, the judges were supposed to select 12 winners and award the prizes. However, the quality of the art work was so good that the judges could only narrow the field to 16 paintings. So, the artists who created those 16 paintings were all contacted by telephone.  The competition sponsors felt that they explained the situation adequately to each [...]

As a software craftsman with an art background, I am involved in a number of projects in the art industry.  One of the more interesting projects has been serving as web master for RayMar's Online Fine Art Competition, which has afforded me the opportunity to view nearly 2,000 works of art over the past year.Robert Coomb's artwork grabbed me instantly.  In fact, when we re-lauched RayMar's e-commerce web site in January, they wanted me to post images of the art contest entries on the home page.  I was instructed to go ahead and make the selections myself.  I "randomly" chose "First Leaves of Autumn."  [...]

I was recently fortunate enough to be involved with a unique fine art competition that was conducted *mostly* online. However, when it came to the final judging, the finalists were asked to send their artworks directly to the judge for final judging.  The judge was shocked when the paintings arrived that they were horribly packed.  It's a miracle that none of them were damaged.  One of the paintings was simply stuffed in a thin box (with no padding) and covered with stamps.  Note to artists:  If the post office loses a painting, then you're out of luck. They will not pay [...]