Ultimately,it doesn't matter what others think. You become your own best critic; you have to in order to improve and grow. As for that internalized voice that most of us carry around, just say, "Thanks, but no thanks. I've got work to do." [...]

The only thing that can truly be unique is our personal vision. As long as we find our inner voice, we will create unique work. Uniqueness does not mean that no one else is doing anything similar. Rather, uniqueness means that it is done with passion and done from within. As time goes on, the similarities become less. Individuality becomes more evident. [...]

'Sonata in A minor' by Katie Swatland was selected as a Finalist in the September 2010 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

An engaging interview with September 2010 BoldBrush Painting Competition Finalist, Trent Gudmundsen. [...]

Selected Upcoming Exhibits by Informed Collector Artists [...]

Positive action and gratitude are contagious. When you focus on the positive, no matter how small, you'll start to see more positive. When you see more positive, you'll feel more positive. Others will see your positive action and they'll feel more positive. It's a snowball effect and it could be awesome. [...]

Scrum masters do not criticize - they are helpful cheerleaders who are partners in productivity. On occasion, my SC (scrum master) may help offload business tasks by doing them himself. We are a team who gets the job done. [...]

'The Old Tack Shed' by Trent Gudmundsen was selected as a Finalist in the September 2010 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

'Scherzo' by Michael Siegel was selected as a Finalist in the September 2010 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

'Light Through an Open Door' by Michelle Dunaway was selected as a Finalist in the September 2010 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

I have a problem. I’m sure none of you have this same condition. But let me warn you just in case… [...]

Not only does copyright registration protect you-- it also protects art collectors who have invested in your artwork. It is something that all selling artists should do-- but I’m fully aware that most artists don’t. [...]

Selected Upcoming Exhibits by Informed Collector Artists [...]

You have all read it here before. The arguments for and against investing in SEO as the main way for you to promote your website and blog. Again and again, Clint would argue that SEO is not the best place to put your efforts in. And again and again his arm was twisted to “write about SEO for artists”. [...]

'Reaching Orchids' by Nancy Wallace was selected as a Finalist in the September 2010 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

As a professional artist, I'm the work crew, the project manager, and organizer, the shipping department, the advertising department, the writer, bookkeeper, and a part time housewife. It doesn't take a genius to see that I need to work 24 hours a day or hire help. [...]

'Morning Reflections' by Arnold Levine was selected as Finalist - Outstanding Abstract in the September 2010 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

'Come Rain or Shine' by John Philbin Dolan was selected as Finalist - Outstanding Pastel in the September 2010 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

We can get good, or even pretty good. Let's call that 80%. The grim truth is this; that last 20% is brutal. Perhaps impossible! What to do? [...]

'In The Music Biz' by Alicia Sotherland was selected as Finalist - Outstanding Pastel in the September 2010 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

Inevitably you will have collectors, gallery owners, prospective clients, show curators, etc. come to you somewhere along the way asking for more than you typically give. The requests can be quite varied. Some come in the form of a donation. Others may be a commission that the client needs yesterday. Maybe they are asking for you to do a demo or give a talk. Some "opportunities" should be turned down. Some you should accept. The trick is to know which is which. [...]

Selected Upcoming Exhibits by Informed Collector Artists [...]

Alycia II by Kyle Stuckey was selected Best of Show in the September 2010 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

A testimony to how remarkable the FASO support team really is... [...]

I was amazed that all the mistakes, all the set-backs, all the failures and dead-ends, all the frustration and the time I invested, and all the things I had to learn about framing that seemed like a money and time sink...were really training and preparation for this current project. [...]

'Skyward - diptych' by Jennifer Vranes was selected as Finalist - Outstanding Acrylic in the September 2010 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

Are you mature enough to handle the rainbow? [...]

There's only one problem with waiting until after January 1st to ponder my annual goals: I feel like I have a whole year to accomplish them and that's too long of a deadline for a procrastinator like me. Waiting until January to get started usually results in my getting into gear sometime around July... when I start to feel like I'm falling behind on intended goals. [...]

'Vendor in the Jardine, San Miguel De Allende, Mexico' by Diann Benoit was selected as Finalist - Outstanding Watercolor in the September 2010 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

'Island Boy' by Sheldon Saint was selected as Finalist - Outstanding Watercolor in the September 2010 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

'Scents of Humor' by Jay Davenport was awarded 3rd Place in the September 2010 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

Most truly great innovators in the arts built upon the foundation of the fundamentals. They knew how to create life- and light-filled works because they first knew how to build a ship. But to those who wish to take a shortcut and bypass the process of learning, you risk wasting the most exquisite light to illuminate a leaky ship. What kind of ship builder are you? [...]

Selected Upcoming Exhibits by Informed Collector Artists [...]

Our esteemed judge, Daniel Keys, has completed the judging of the September 2010 BoldBrush painting competition. [...]

Pike by Mark Bailey was awarded 2nd Place in the September 2010 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

A lot has been written about the benefits of writing an art blog but many times it is difficult to come up with new material to write about. And the fluid and dynamic lives we live as creative people tend sometime to send us different directions, something which does not help our blog to be focused and consistent. But what if you had a constant source of ideas to write about, with a goal and a defined focus? That is where the artists’ group comes into the picture. [...]

Relying strictly on social networking is obviously not the most wise decision to make for long-term growth as far as online marketing and gaining exposure for your art online is concerned. Artists should view websites like Facebook and Twitter as tools that compliment their personal website-- those websites should not be viewed as the end all be all of your online presence. In other words, allow your personal art website to be the pillar of your online efforts lest your castle crumble. [...]

Alycia II by Kyle Stuckey was awarded Best of Show in the September 2010 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

Last week I wrote about your signature. There were many comments about the topic. Thanks to all of you who add your insights. This week’s post is in response to some of the points that were brought up in the comments. [...]