The fact that close friends may not be 100% honest about your artwork may be hard to accept(unless you are pranking them). [...]

I feel we, as artists, are missing opportunities that are right under our nose for marketing and selling our work. It takes a lot of thought to remember where we can place our work or ponder how to make news about our paintings that are for sale before we are received in professional galleries. [...]

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

Some people will never understand. For them, anybody’s work is simply something for them to copy and replicate. Their actions go far beyond merely being inspired by a use of colors or a design detail. Anything you do or make, is fair game for their own use...But there are many people who truly mean no insult or harm by their inquiries. Often, what they are hungry for, it turns out, is encouragement to find their own story, and follow their own path. [...]

'The Traveler' by Frank Ordaz was selected as a Finalist in the December 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

'Daybreak: Montana de Oro' by Kathleen Dunphy was selected Best of Show in the December 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

There is such joy in giving yourself permission to make art just for fun. [...]

'Her Father's Wedding' by John Kelley was selected as a Finalist in the December 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]

Are my marketing techniques working, do they make sense, do they produce results, are they honest, are they worth pursuing, should I be doing something different? Before I can address these issues – which are ongoing, by the way; there is no ultimate, one-size fits all marketing plan – I need to come to grips with the most important question: Am I thinking for myself, or am I still influenced by what I think others are thinking, and am thereby adjusting my unique situation and temperament to my perceived notion of what should be done? [...]

'Absolutely Free' by Peter Seltzer was selected as Outstanding Pastel in the October 2011 BoldBrush Painting Competition. [...]