So, be courageous and enter. Give yourself the pep talk. Move forward. Do not let judges or critics stop you. Through much studying, your gut will eventually tell you what is good in your work or not. And, along with that will come the self-confidence. This is very important. Do not knock yourself down. Get back up and cheer yourself on with that pep talk to yourself. Keep your enthusiasm for new experiences -- even if it means trying a different medium or subject matter. [...]

As with anything, the best way to start is by commencing ? a parked car doesn't move if you don't turn the key ? and the easiest way to start with your FASO blog is to take advantage of the "Blog This Artwork!" feature on the side of the individual Art Portfolio Page you fill out every time you add a new art piece to your site. [...]

In this edition I will cover art pricing and how your prices may help or hinder the goal of obtaining art gallery representation. [...]

For a long time, I have had a theory that highly creative people ? such as artists ? have a strong connection between both hemispheres. The ability to communicate between hemispheres and use both sides of the brain enables greater creativity. [...]

'Roots' by Deborah Elmquist was selected as a Finalist in the May 2012 Raymar Art Painting Competition. [...]

Artist Deborah Drake Huff describes her mixed media and assemblage art as an invitation. [...]

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

'No Relief' by Sallie-Anne Swift was selected Best of Show in the June 2012 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

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

Artists look with new eyes. They frequently see interesting relationships in the most ordinary, everyday experiences. Colors, shapes, textures, effects of light, and sometimes the objects within which these characteristics are observed, can be the stimulus for artistic expression. Whereas the viewer might have overlooked the ordinary things, he or she will see through the artist's eyes those very things that were unseen before. The "aha" moment is often a powerful one. [...]

'Swing Carousel Riders' by James Crandall was selected as a Finalist in the May 2012 Raymar Art Painting Competition. [...]

If I believed art was a talent I would have given up long ago. The ability to create art is something that is earned through years of constant study and dedication. It is not a gift given at birth. [...]

I can't give you any better advice on how to market and sell your art than Seth's last sentence, "When in doubt, when your (art)* marketing isn't working, the answer is easy: go one circle in." [...]

'Last Round' by John Ennis was selected as a Finalist in the May 2012 Raymar Art Painting Competition. [...]

To assume is said to make an a - - out of u and me. While this is true in most cases, being assumptive in selling is an entirely different scenario. I often use the assumptive close with art buyers. I assume they want to own my art when we begin the conversation. The moment the prospect shows real interest, I just assume they would like to take that piece home with them. My next step is to assist them in making their desire a reality. Because of my assumption that they want to own the art, I treat them differently. I don't sell; I help the client acquire what they want. [...]

Award winning artist Robert Fletcher is known for creating bold landscape paintings. Additionally, Fletcher -- a versatile artist ? has also received acclaim for his figurative works upon canvas and in bronze. [...]

'Bottles with Book and Letters' by Todd Casey was selected as a Finalist in the May 2012 Raymar Art Painting Competition. [...]

Some people get so locked up about the SEO concept and how they're not computer geniuses so they may as well not do anything at all that they, well, don't do anything at all. Yes, there's a lot to learn. Yes, it's overwhelming. But no, it's not impossible, and the best way to make it possible is to simply get started. [...]

Artist Pam Powell describes herself as a contemporary representational painter. Powell has noted that she combines traditional art principles with the need to communicate those principles with the modern world. [...]

'The Secret' by Ariana Richards was selected as a Finalist in the May 2012 Raymar Art Painting Competition. [...]

Protect your painting the next time you need to frame it wet. [...]

I often wonder if the negative image of 'The Artist' can be reversed. Can this image be deconstructed? What say you? [...]

Changing the way the public views 'The Artist' is no easy task. After all, the classic character of the unruly, bohemian inspired artist infiltrates all aspects of our society. [...]

Artist Eric Bowman is known for exploring the human form in his paintings. His exploration of the figure is deeply rooted in his love of jazz music. [...]

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

Our esteemed judge, Brian Sherwin has completed the judging of the June 2012 BoldBrush painting competition. [...]

It is like changing your palette. My subject is my sheet music. How I choose to play the song, with what instrument, how loud or soft is up to me. So my recommendation, if you haven't done so, is to try painting something twice - making a few small changes: palette knife vs brushes, board vs. canvas, total palette change. You will be amazed at the difference! [...]

'Sonja' by Ryan Brown was selected as a Finalist in the May 2012 Raymar Art Painting Competition. [...]

You can't take an untrained dog out to paint and expect him to magically know what you want him to do! Teach your dog the basic commands of "sit," down," and "stay." Develop a relationship with him where he looks to you for instruction and gets rewarded for good behavior. [...]

Yep, it gets hard when it's hot, or windy, when my back aches and when sales are slow. But more and more, I try to relax. I embrace my customers, exchanging hugs as they appear, year after year, to see what wonders I've made in the months in between. I soak in the sunshine. I go with the flow. I eat my energy bar. I remember why I'm here, at this show. [...]

'Gospel Musician Dr. Trevor W. Payne' by Steven Rosati was awarded Best of Show in the May 2012 Raymar Art Painting Competition. [...]

Artist Joe Mac Kechnie is known for his expressive artwork involving the use of graphite, ink, pastel and paint. [...]

I asked him who it was that recommended me. He explained that it wasn't someone I knew, but it was people in the art committee down at Metro. They had seen my website (YAY, FASO!!) and evaluated the work in my portfolios to make the decision. [...]

'Music Instructor' by Victor Mordasov was selected as a Finalist in the May 2012 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

There are a lot of questions to ask yourself before you purchase a piece of fine art -- whether it is an original or a limited edition print -- but the most important one is one that people frequently overlook: "Do I like it?" [...]

'Night Light' by Marc Hanson was selected as a Finalist in the May 2012 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

But first, what is clean color? Clean color does not necessarily mean pure color straight from the tube. Ironically, clean color can be gray, neutral, muted, subdued, etc. Or it can be bright and pure. The color's chroma does not determine whether it is clean or not. The Russians have beautifully sophisticated grays. Yet they are clean. How or why? In his book Alla Prima, Richard Schmid defines muddy colors as a mixture of color that is simply the wrong temperature. So, if that is true ? and I agree with Richard - then it follows that clean color is simply a mixture in which the temperature is correct. The key to the Russian artists' sophisticated grays is proper temperature. [...]

Mark Adam Webster is an award-winning artist deeply inspired by cubism and futurism. [...]

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

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