I'm starting to think that De-Appropriation may become the next trendy art movement-- at least online. I doubt that was Cat Weaver's intention when she revealed her "first ever De-Appropriation" of artist Richard Prince's work on a Hyperallergic article shortly after a court ruled in favor of photographer Patrick Cariou-- deeming Prince a copyright infringer. [...]

The final, most important not to use your full-content feed is this: You and I should not be working so hard only build traffic for Facebook (so they can sell Facebook ads). I am working hard to share my thoughts with my audience.....but I want to do it on my site, presented the way I want it presented, and shared in a way that brings people to my website. [...]

Communication is key: if somebody makes the effort to contact you regarding your art, jump on it and answer them. You may not be able to get back that same day, but do your best to ensure that the week doesn't end before you either address the issue or give contacts a time line as to when you will. [...]

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

You cannot fill in the blanks with passion. [...]

'Tesuque Arroyo' by Janis Krendick was selected as Finalist - Outstanding Pastel in the February 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

'Midday' by Eugen Chisnicean was selected Best of Show in the March 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

By discovering creative ways to approach self-promotion online-- and taking the time to implement them-- you may find that your online followers do the brunt of the work for you, so to speak. The following suggestions can help you to spend your time wisely online in regards to promotional efforts that enforce your art marketing strategy [...]

Please don't hesitate to ask me questions. I, by no means, am saying this is the only way to paint. There are many valid approaches to art - some artists are tonalists, others are colorists; some are realists, and others are impressionists or abstract artists, and that's perfectly OK. I am here to present ideas to you - which you may take or leave as you like. [...]

'Broken Promises' by Daggi Wallace was selected as Finalist - Outstanding Pastel in the February 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

'Peak Colors' by Jim Camann was selected as Finalist - Outstanding Acrylic in the February 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

Lately, especially within the United States, there have been attempts to politicize the arts along with just about everything else. Education, libraries, the internet, religion, books, the media, practically every aspect of society has been pulled into this political maelstrom. Underneath it all lays a single motivation, which is fear: the fear that someone or some group will gain the upper hand and exert control over everyone else. In short, the conspiracy theorists, be they on the right or the left, are in their heyday. [...]

There comes a time in your career where you reach the crossroads. You must make the decision of which road to take. Either way, the amount of time to reach the destination will be about the same. Do you take the road that everyone else is taking? Do you take the easy, less adventurous road? [...]

'Passage Through Age Twelve' by Coco Dega was selected as Finalist - Outstanding Watercolor in the February 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

What I find interesting about this is that some of the same people who show prejudice towards anything that has to do with the Christian view of God will openly praise Andy Warhol and the influence he had on the art world-- some going as far as to suggest that Andy Warhol gave birth to the mainstream art world we recognize today. Apparently they are not aware that Warhol was a devote Ruthenian Rite Catholic-- and that he most likely believed in and worshipped God considering that he attended church on a daily basis for most of his life. Warhol was known to describe himself as a religious person. Though private about his religious affairs it is clear that he had faith. [...]

It matters not if you are an artist, collector, or simply an admirer or art. It doesn't matter if you are rich or poor. You may be well versed in art, or feel that you don't know anything about it. If art means something to you, you can act on that and make a difference in the world. You can contribute to the betterment of society with your involvement in the arts. [...]

Those who do not make art that connects with people will not earn a living with their craft. [...]

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

No one has all the answers ? especially me ? so listening and practicing and having patience are absolutely necessary ? probably for the rest of our lives. [...]

'Simple Man' by Stephanie C. Hoffman was selected as Finalist - Outstanding Watercolor in the February 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

We took the art to a local art restoration expert. And amazingly, she was able to completely save every single painting. And she told us why: A few months earlier we had contacted this particular couple and offered to varnish all of their oil paintings. The restoration expert told us that the varnish had saved the paintings [...]

I know a little bit about art, but sometimes it can get confusing. These are real paintings, right? With all the things people do to paintings lately, sometimes it's hard to tell. [...]

An article by the Guardian UK about the destruction of controversial artist Andres Serrano's "Piss Christ" at a museum in France has fueled debate about religion and art. The story-- which has spread virally by individuals who are understandable angry about the destruction-- has fueled the idea that all Christians and all social/political conservatives are against art due in part to the irresponsibility of the articles author Angelique Chrisafis. It serves as another example of how the irresponsibility of a mainstream media author can cultivate hate against people of a specific faith-- in this case all Christians -- and empower stereotypes about how all people following a specific religion view art. [...]

I later build a series of paintings in the comfort of my studio, until I arrive at something I consider my best effort - or masterpiece. Even if it's not a masterpiece in the true sense of the word, I hope that all my effort and observation will culminate into my best painting to date. [...]

Did you know that accessing the Internet via mobile devices is the fastest growing part of the growth of the web today? The iPhone truly did change everything. I see it every day as people I know increasingly use or purchase a smartphone...including the most computer illiterate person I know...Your art website should be mobile friendly. Here's why: I am actually MORE engaged in looking at art on a mobile device because mobile devices are inherently consumption devices, while desktop computers are production devices. [...]

'Summer Afternoon' by Demetrios Vlachos was awarded 3rd Place in the February 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

Our esteemed judge, Laurie Kersey, has completed the judging of the March 2011 BoldBrush painting competition. [...]

Last week, I introduced the idea of writing a press release, exploring the Why, Where, and When. Now, let's address the How. [...]

'Maycie' by Dennis Dame was awarded 2nd Place in the February 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

You must create if you want to improve. You will have failures, but they are necessary stepping stones. With time and practice you will realize all you have learned from those failures. And you will see them as blessings. [...]

My first suggestion is a basic aspect of online marketing that artists, based on my experience, tend to overlook. That suggestion being-- the need to post links to your artist website or specific images of your artwork online. By making a routine of posting links to your art you will help your art to spread virally online. There is nothing wrong with helping to get the ball rolling, so to speak. [...]

As a writer Sharon Butler maintains the award-winning art blog Two Coats of Paint, is a contributing writer at The Brooklyn Rail and blogs at The Huffington Post. Through an affiliation with Culture Pundits, Two Coats of Paint has been sponsored by The Museum of Modern Art, The Whitney Museum of American Art, The New York Studio School, The Pulitzer Foundation and many other arts organizations. [...]

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

Have you stopped to listen carefully to what you already know? It's in there. [...]

We may be born wanting to express our personal vision of the world. But if we don't know how to set aside time and resources to do that, our vision won't get very far. [...]

Two Award Winners for Kevin Beilfuss! 'Abide With Me' selected as a Finalist in the January 2011 RayMar Art's Fine Art Competition and 'Selah' selected as a Finalist in the February 2011 RayMar Art's Fine Art Competition. [...]

When I look at the websites of my favorites, people whose work I admire and whose level I would love to achieve some day, I don't see reproductions available, or print-on-demand anything. I see originals. Paintings that are one of a kind. Work that shows the artist has been in the studio, not out making reproductions. [...]

Collectors must see your work on a regular basis - either online or else on the wall of the gallery. In essence, your work must "meet" with collectors' eyes often in order to make an impact. If your gallery isn't making that happen for you, then it's up to you to make sure it does happen. [...]

'Logan - Into the Light' by Jason Sacran was selected as a Finalist in the January 2011 RayMar Art's Fine Art Competition. [...]

Catalan Boats by Joan Murray (shown below) was selected as a Finalist in the January 2011 RayMar Art's Fine Art Competition. [...]