Court your muse. The more time you give her, the more your muse will give you in return. Creativity begets creativity. Spend time creating. Have a regular date with your art. [...]

'Taking Granma to the beach' and 'Spring on Highway 9' were selected as FAV 15% in BoldBrush Painting Competitions. [...]

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. [...]

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

Do you have a question or discussion-starter that you would like to address to the BrushBuzz / FASO community? [...]

Independent art writing has grown steadily over the last decade. Independent art writers -- by utilizing blogs and social media -- have widened the scope of art criticism and appreciation. [...]

There comes a time where it just seems too hard to do another show, to face another windy rainstorm at an art festival. Too hard to master yet another social medium in order to promote our work; to approach yet another gallery that will probably say no; to apply for yet another exhibition. At some point, it just seems easier to settle for what we know will work; to stick with the techniques we’ve already mastered; to answer every challenge with a heart-heavy “I tried that once and it didn’t work.” What if all it took were twenty seconds of insane courage? [...]

'The Man I Loved (Portrait of My Grandfather)' by Albert Ramos Cortes was selected as a Finalist in the February 2012 RayMar Painting Competition. [...]

So what does removing the mask mean? This means communicating to strangers like they are our friends. Don't be afraid to give your personal opinions or tell stories about your personal life. Post pictures of yourself working on your art. And most of all, it means talking to anybody who takes the time to engage in conversation. This means comments on Facebook, personal emails, and reviews of your work. It does not need to be a long response, but just a sign that you are listening. [...]

'Change of Seasons' by SM Botstein was selected as a Finalist in the February 2012 RayMar Painting Competition. [...]

The art competition known as ArtPrize was ridiculed by the mainstream art world from the get-go. Trust me on this -- I was an early supporter. Almost every art writer I know of -- specifically in NY circles -- knocked it at first. [...]

'Begonias and Geraniums' by Kathy Anderson was selected as a Finalist in the February 2012 RayMar Painting Competition. [...]

So you’ve always wanted to learn how to oil paint. Or you’ve dabbled in watercolors for years and there’s a two-day workshop coming to town. Before you put down your money and buy supplies, make sure that this is the right workshop for you, and that you will get the most out of it that you can. Here are five questions to ask either yourself, or the workshop instructor, before proceeding: [...]

Passion doesn’t replace skill. And skill doesn’t replace passion. Both are necessary …for a deeply moving performance such as this. [...]

'Dolls, Books, & Crayons' by Daniel Keys was selected as a Finalist in the February 2012 RayMar Painting Competition. [...]

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

Last but not least - if someone makes contact with you - get back to them as soon as possible, before they lose interest in you, or feel you're just not interested. [...]

This article points to recent questions asked on the BrushBuzz Art Forum. [...]

This is what I want to stress: if we are to criticize the late Thomas Kinkade for creating "comfortable art" -- we should criticize 99% of the artwork hailed by the high profile (mainstream) aspects of the gallery world, art market, and museum world. I suggest that because most of that art is just as 'comfortable' in its own way -- at least to the audience frequenting those exhibits. [...]

Don’t make art with the goal of making money. Make art with the goal of making a gift. The money will come. [...]

'No title' by Henrik Uldalen was selected as a Finalist in the February 2012 RayMar Painting Competition. [...]

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. [...]

'Blue Uchiake Kimono' by Stephanie Rew was selected as a Finalist in the February 2012 RayMar Painting Competition. [...]

If one of your galleries closes, you know it, and disseminating material – printed or electronic – intimating that you still show there, isn’t wise. Sure, the name, the location, the reputation may be impressive, but if a potential collector who knows that the gallery is no long extant reads that your work is there, well, they may, unwittingly, change the way they think about you and your art. I did. [...]

'Going Back' by Felicia Forte was selected as a Finalist in the February 2012 RayMar Painting Competition. [...]

'Muse' by Richard Prather was selected as a Finalist in the February 2012 RayMar Painting Competition. [...]

The death of artist Thomas Kinkade has triggered a 'barrage of arrows' from specific circles of the mainstream art world. Notable art critics, ranging from Jerry Saltz to Paddy Johnson, have taken it upon themselves to offer one last 'jab' while, as the saying goes, the corpse is still warm. [...]

Some recent questions from the BrushBuzz Art Forum. [...]

10 Key Points to help any artist along the way... [...]

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

The Grants/Awards heading of your artist resume is self-explanatory -- this is where you will list grants, fellowships, awards, honors, artist residencies (not the teaching variety) and so on. [...]

Sometimes people who love to make things, would rather pay to make one themselves, than pay to own an original. If someone is looking for a reason to say no to your work, the lure of “I can make it myself!” can be a powerful distraction. Taking a class may be a more affordable way to “own” your work, even if it’s just a student’s best copy. The drawback here is, if you’re charging $1,000 for one of your widgets/products, and you teach a class on how to make one for $200, then you may be encouraging a secondary market, one that’s less profitable for you. [...]

'Blue Sky and Figure' by David Shevlino was awarded Best of Show in the February 2012 RayMar Painting Competition. [...]

'First Bloom - Summer Peonies' by Don Sahli was selected as a Finalist in the February 2012 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

It's not an option any longer... artists cannot expect someone else or even their galleries to promote their work adequately. No one has the time, money, or desire to promote your work better than you do. [...]

'The Piano Lesson' by Marci Oleszkiewicz was selected as a Finalist in the February 2012 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

Right or wrong and largely in between, we move forward in accordance with the strengths and weaknesses inherent to our “breeds.” So do all artists – you learn a certain way, you create a certain way, you interact with others a certain way, you market a certain way – all in accordance to what you are inside. Like a dog, you have a potential that can be reached, or not, depending upon training, discipline, teaching, and time – but this potential is specific and individual to you and your unique personality. [...]

If you suffer from overcorrection, don’t worry, it is part of the growth cycle and you will eventually find the middle ground. As you move back and forth from the right to left of your ideal, you will find that your swings or overcorrections become less severe each time. You are moving ever closer to the middle ground that you are seeking. [...]

'Brosnan And Mary Scott' by Richard Christian Nelson was selected as a Finalist in the February 2012 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

It can be hard to 'hit' individuals legally with art fraud / forgery allegations compared to challenging them over alleged copyright infringement. With art forgery -- you will likely have to persuade duped art buyers to take legal action. [...]