I stand firm in saying that public funded art exhibit spaces should be considered a place to learn-- a place where opposing ideas are tolerated and explored-- not places where key staff abuse their positions in order to cultivate attitudes in preparation for voting booths in support of one specific political party. [...]

Any good marketing strategy has one of the two-sided coin targets ? market to the pain of people on one hand, or alternatively, market to their pleasure. My question today is - which one do you market your art to? [...]

'10 Sheep Farm' by Andy Evansen was awarded 3rd Place in the April 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

'Coyote Call' by Josh Elliott was selected Best of Show in the May 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

In the past, business between artists and galleries has been conducted solely on a handshake, which can clearly be detrimental to the artists with less leverage than the gallery. I have tried to set forth in this article some of the problems and solutions that I and my clients have encountered. I am only addressing sales through galleries, not any other method. [...]

'Twin Sycamores' by Matt Smith was awarded Best of Show in the April 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

Having and maintaining a personal artist website is important regardless of the state of the economy. Influential voices in the US art community ranging from Edward Winkleman to Mat Gleason have all noted the importance of why an artist should have a personal website. However, as I hope I've made clear-- having an artist website during times of economic struggle can provide an artist with unique opportunities for gaining exposure and promoting artwork. The tactful artist can take advantage of any recession-- and come out ahead. [...]

Trust yourself, your gut, and your instincts. There is no one right way or wrong way to create and market your art, and don't let anyone make you feel that this is so. [...]

Of course TV and video don't replace reading. But when it comes to marketing your artwork or yourself, there is a place for video. Most of us have huge volumes of email and don't always have time to read a lengthy article. But I can watch/listen to a short clip. [...]

This practice of hyping raw data from media measurement websites is a form of exploitation. It is exploitation when you consider that the art website companies utilizing this tactic are striving to dupe unsuspecting artists into thinking their services are the best choice when in reality they may not be. Again, this depends on the context of how the information is used by the artist website service. Some make it very clear that the data is not exactly solid information. Unfortunately, the majority I've seen over the years convey the information as if it is factually based on the entirety of Internet users. [...]

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

One brief stop, one extra special painting to see, and I am ready to throw away the sand pile. One quick break was the pause that refreshed. And refreshed, I can see things on some of the current canvases that my bogged-down vision couldn't/wouldn't see. Time to go grab a paint brush. I'm ready. [...]

Point blank-- many feel that it is hypocritical for the professional art world, specifically in the United States, to maintain professional art connections with China while the Chinese government continues to practice what is considered an unethical form of justice compared to western attitudes concerning law. After all, many of the professionals who protested in support of Ai Weiwei commented on the human rights violations that have been at the core of criticism against China for decades. That said, some feel that by maintaining professional art-related connections with China the negative behavior of the Chinese government toward Chinese artists labeled as dissidents is likely not to change. [...]

Our esteemed judge, Kevin Macpherson, has completed the judging of the May 2011 BoldBrush painting competition. [...]

'Sojourn' by Stanka Kordic was selected as a Finalist in the March 2011 RayMar Art Fine Art Competition. [...]

Sex and/or romance hooks are not for everyone. Sometimes they are inappropriate and some folks overuse them. But think about your target audience and ask yourself if there is a good love story you can tell them. [...]

When complements come your way, do this simple process. Take a breath. Breathe in what the person is saying to you. Relax. Listen. Say, "Thank you," and take another breath. For you to receive the complement is as much of a gift to the giver as the complement itself may be to you. [...]

For me, taking the time to paint these color charts is the same thing as a musician practicing their scales, or an athlete taking the time to practice the fundamentals of their sport. It's what makes you better at your craft. [...]

'The Untitled Painting of Vicki Sleeping' by Eric Pedersen was selected as a Finalist in the March 2011 RayMar Art Fine Art Competition. [...]

You're in a profession that demands social interaction, because people want to know more about your creations and their creator. Start with the smile. [...]

'Seascape II' by Dennis Mahony was selected as a Finalist in the March 2011 RayMar Art Fine Art Competition. [...]

Social entrepreneur Rick DeVos is the founder of ArtPrize -- an international art competition held in Grand Rapids, Michigan. ArtPrize involves over $500,000 in prizes-- as a juried competition it is unique due to the prize money involved and the fact that the public takes part in the jury process alongside a category for traditional juried work as well. Artists involved in the competition negotiate a venue (location) with local exhibitors. From there the works are voted on by the public-- which involves modern networking technology. DeVos has stated that the goal of ArtPrize is to "see what happens when a city becomes a gallery, artists engage directly with the public, and the public has an empowered voice in responding to the art.". [...]

'North Owens Valley' by Victor Schiro was selected as Finalist - Outstanding Watercolor in the January 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

Artists have a lot to consider when finding what works best for them in regards to selling art online. It does not make it any easier when you consider that artist website service providers are a dime a dozen today. It often seems that new ventures pop up every other month-- all 'telling' an artist exactly what he or she wants to 'hear'. I don't blame them-- they want to sell their service by suggesting that they provide the best artist websites online. However, more often than not the services provided are not exactly what they are presented to be. [...]

Don't slap out junk, because the eBay collector is a lot smarter than you think. They know quality art. You might fake out your mother, but not the intelligent eBay bidder. [...]

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

You can send your newsletter as often as you like...as long as you don't have more than 2 people unsubscribe for every 1,000 emails you send (.2%) [3]. If you lose more than 2 people out of every 1,000 emails, then you're either sending too often, or you've strayed too far off topic (such as discussing politics in a newsletter where people were expecting art). [...]

The artist who routinely states that individuals should "question everything" obviously did not like it when his wife answered a question. As I've said before in my criticism of Shepard Fairey-- people will continue to question the artist who says to "question everything". After this incident the answers may be very difficult for Fairey to come up with. The main question being-- "Is Shepard Fairey still a legitimate Street Artist?". [...]

I believe that we are currently living in one of the most interesting times for art criticism. The clash of increased exposure to information, mass media, and extreme opinions-- overall-- have come together in a way that is both exciting and alarming. Art criticism will never be the same. I realize that many will say that art and politics don't mesh well-- but it happens everyday within the realm of art criticism. True, it may at times be concealed-- but it is there looking back at us. It is up to the reader to see beyond the reviews in order to place an art critic into perspective-- to decide if he or she is part of a political machine... and if so, to what extent. [...]

'Locally Grown' by Kim VanDerHoek was selected as a Finalist in the March 2011 RayMar Art Fine Art Competition. [...]

I may still not know what improvement looks like, but I do know it has to look like something I would do. [...]

Mark Jenkins went on to tell me that the struggle over public space is a "battleground"-- with government officials, corporate advertisers, and street artists all striving to capture the attention of the public. Battleground or not, legal or not-- the break from visual monotony is a worthwhile addition to the daily grind that so many of us experience in our travels. One thing is for certain-- Jenkins will continue to utilize his societal/street 'stage'. I always look forward to the next act. [...]

Even if you are ready to approach galleries, shows and invitational events, you still may not need an elaborate business plan. There are many ways to promote your work on a shoe-string budget. Spending big bucks is hardly necessary to success and there is nothing terribly elaborate or magical about marketing your work. It's mostly just plain common sense. [...]

'Looking Forward' by Darci Presiloski was selected as a Finalist in the March 2011 RayMar Art Fine Art Competition. [...]

Some people are so adamant about the power of Happy Thoughts that they consider the very process of admitting that something might be going wrong to be a form of blasphemy, so egregious that its very utterance will cause the doom they fear to unfurl itself around their ears. [...]

'Manon des Olives' by Burt Levitsky was selected as a Finalist in the March 2011 RayMar Art Fine Art Competition. [...]

Of the 500+ artists I've interviewed over the last decade I must say that the artists who associate themselves with the street art scene were some of the most lively characters I came into contact with. Obviously these individuals appeared to have a rebellious attitude about them-- but they also had a distinct seriousness of thought and process that I believe people often fail to attribute to this direction of art. [...]

Regardless of where and when you begin your artistic journey, you have enough "light" to get started. [...]

'Black and White' by Jian Wu was selected as a Finalist in the March 2011 RayMar Art Fine Art Competition. [...]

The Venice Biennale is arguably the most significant international event within the world of art. Due to this the national exhibitions that take place adhere to a hardcore mentality in regards to competing for attention. It is an event fit for controversial art. The 'loudest' visual spectacle often wins the frenzy of press. The 2011 Venice Biennale is no different-- and this year the 'loudest' visual spectacle came in the form of a tank-- yes, a boom, boom tank-- at the American pavilion. Unfortunately, the work of art is rather mediocre considering that it plays into the war mongering stereotype of how the United States is so often viewed. It is the same tired direction of art that has been relatively common in the last decade. The bones of the dead horse have been reduced to dust-- yet the theme continues to be kicked. [...]