This article is by the FineArtViews team. The views of the authors below are entirely their own and may not reflect the views of BoldBrush, Inc.. You should submit an article and share your views as a guest author by clicking here.

Guest authors are a staple of the FineArtViews blog. We are always looking for different views on art -- and FineArtViews guest posts have long been a good way to 'mix up the thought box', if you will. If you have a view that you would like to share with the FineArtViews community feel free to submit an article. Below are a few FineArtViews guest posts from 2011:

Sarah Maple offers some advice for artists by Sarah Maple

"Expect everyone you meet in the art world (especially people interested in exhibiting your work) to be either a) a bastard or b) sub-human. This way you will avoid feeling any kind of human emotion towards your dealer and if, for example, they make £100,000 selling your work and don't give you any money, you won't mind asking for some. Also, if they turn out to be nice then that'll be a nice surprise." -- Sarah Maple

Go Ahead, Be Daring by Rick Rotante

"Artists are pigeonholed by the "market" and as such produce mediocre work that only rises to that market level. It doesn't move art up, out and over the top to new heights. Every work we create- or should I say show, should be better than the last. When an artist finds his/her niche, that artist is as good as done. The work will be the same over and over. The curse to any artist is success. Success is a dead knell to a true artist." -- Rick Rotante

Making A Statement? Yes? by Karen Cooper

"Think about what it is that you are wanting to say with your art. It can be as simple as "I saw this and I loved it, and here's why"." -- Karen Cooper

From Redneck to Renaissance Man by Lin Berry

"Art can open doors or shut them. Artists often come across as a kind of superior, elite group. On the other hand, there are also people who approach art with closed minds and big mouths. But where there is willingness to dialogue and learn from each other, rich relationships can be developed and miracles often take place." -- Lin Berry

Art Collecting for Dummies: How Everyone Can Afford to Collect Original Art by Denise Rich

"There is a Starbucks to the right of my studio and the courthouse to the left. Every day I see the same people walk past my window and come back with a $5 coffee. It has occured to me that "expensive" is just a matter of priorities for some. How many of the people who spend at least $100 a month on fancy coffee would say they can't afford to collect original art? For a year's worth of Starbucks coffee, anyone would be able to have a great collection going. That's $1200, which would give you a lot to choose from in terms of original art." -- Denise Rich