challenges – Art & News from EBSQ

EBSQ Friday Five

1. Today’s featured artist is Cyra R. Cancel and her wonderful piece, Violet Bellied Hummingbird in my Garden. Who doesn’t love catching a glimpse of a hummingbird in their garden?

2. Do you love participating in art swaps and challenges? Yes? Then you’ll want to take a look at Art Drop Day, where art and scavenger hunt come together.

3. Have you taken a look at the August EBSQ Art Exhibitions? This month we have Toolbox and Flower of the Month: Summer Veg.

4. Looking for some Art/Anatomy book recommendations? I found this list via a deviantART artist, Qing Han.

5. Summer is a time for conventions and big art shows. They are fun and often full of freebies and entertainment. But did you know you can also learn valuable skills? I’m leading a panel this summer at Dragon Con titled Basics of Digital Painting. My panel is one of many that will teach artists both traditional and digital skills. There’s even going to be a life model panel–bring your own sketchbook! Take a look at my blog post for more info – Conventions: Panels, Art, Books and Leather.

Is your art marketing a hot mess?

Mothering Chaos by EBSQ Artist Kelli Ann Dubay

So. You’ve been reading up on how to market your art, gathering advice and tips from a smathering of friends, colleagues, and online experts. You believe in your art. You’ve got the requisite accounts at EBSQ (obviously), Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. You have a blog. (You even occasionally update your blog.) So, why isn’t it all coming together?

Sometimes it takes an outside eye to see what you’re missing. To that end, we’re looking for up to three artists to review, critique, and case study. Totally on us.

Interested? Leave us a comment with your name, EBSQ Artist url, and let us know why you want our help. If you’re chosen, you’ll get to work with us for 90 days, totally for free, to see if we can help jump start your marketing efforts and find you some greater success. We’ll be profiling our selected artists during the case study via the EBSQ blog. Even if you aren’t one of the lucky artists selected, we hope our case studies will be able to help you as well!

Ready? Let’s get started!

PS Not yet an EBSQ Artist member? Why not join today?

Past the halfway marker: where are you with 12 in ’12?

At the St Vincent Monastery Run Wetlands by Amie R. Gillingham — Since it’s my small son’s birthday today, I will indulge in sharing my entry from last month’s Wildflower exhibit. Thank you for awarding it an honorable mention in the Cloud Votes!

The 12 in ’12 Challenge, started back in January, has been a hot topic of conversation lately on the EBSQ Member Forums. So I thought now might be a good time for an official (ish) pulse check. Where are you in your progress. Did you enter the shows you hoped you would back in January? Are you still going strong, or losing steam?

I also took the challenge. So far, I’ve entered entered 6 shows with 9-total entries. Some of it has been new work executed for the show, but I admit I pulled a couple from my archives, too. I was hoping to enter more than just photography and actually get some painting and drawing done, but my Muse has been off holiday, apparently. Maybe I can lure her home with this month’s Pointillism exhibit…

Ready to jump into the fray or get back on track? Here’s what’s left in 2012:

August:
Cats & Dogs
FOTM: Prairie Plants
Plein Air: Water

September:
Wild Birds
FOTM: Berries & Fruit
Autumn

October:
Owls
FOTM: Carnivorous Plants
Think Pink (to Benefit Breast Cancer Research)

November:
Tortoises & Hares
FOTM: Leaves & Fronds
Norse Mythology (juried)

December:
Holiday Pets
FOTM: Botanical Wreaths
Zombie Apocalypse (ends 21 December 2012, with no voting since the world will have ended, obviously)
11th Annual Better Late Than Never Show

So–16 more exhibition opportunities. Are you in? Are you IN?

Let’s do this thing!

We have winners!

Congratulations to our First Art of 2012 Facebook Challenge Winner, Melinda Dalke! Her name was randomly pulled from our 30 entries. Here’s her first piece of the year, Headed Home:

Headed Home by EBSQ Artist Melinda Dalke

Melinda joins our Twitter contest winner, Lori Mirabelli, who won a full year of EBSQ on Twitter the week before. Here’s Lori’s first new artof 2012:

Untitled artwork by EBSQ Artist Lori Mirabelli

Congratulations, ladies! And our hats are off to all of the participating artists. By the look of things, 2012 is going to be an absolutely gorgeous year!

Have you taken our 2012 Facebook Challenge?

Beautiful Life by EBSQ Artist Rebecca Salcedo

Tomorrow (Saturday, 14 January 2012) is the last day to share your first art of 2012 on our Facebook wall.* All participating artists will be automatically entered to win a free year of EBSQ Membership! (an $89 value).

So what are you waiting for? Go forth and create!

Psst! Feel free to LIKE us while you’re there!

Take the 12 in ’12 Challenge

Create Your Mark by EBSQ Artist Eileen Morey

One of the biggest benefits of EBSQ Membership (at least according to our members) is our monthly exhibits. They’re great for extra exposure, stretching your creative muscles, and on many occasions, winning stuff (which is always nice!) This year, we have 37 opportunities to compete with your art. Because January is a month of resolutions, we’re challenging you to commit to participating in 12 exhibits in 2012.

To be part of our 12 in ’12, we ask that you sign your name in the comments below and let us know which 12 shows you want to commit to in 2012. (I’ll be doing the same, because frankly, I need to get off my butt and make more art. )

Simon Sez… I hate Mondays! (Except Monday holidays…)

This week’s Simon is EBSQ artist Donna Gill Colestock. The theme she has chosen for her turn as Simon is “I hate Mondays! (Except Monday holidays…)”. This is what Donna said about her theme: “I want to see moods, holidays, and dreams. If you can relate it to Mondays or a Monday holiday, it works for me. Go ahead and wow me with up to 5 entries. All media welcome.” The original end date was January 25th, but Donna has extended the deadline.

Waiting for the Monday Holiday - Sherry Key

All Simon Sez challenges are open to everyone. To enter Simon Sez… I hate Mondays! (Except Monday holidays…) and to see the all the entries, simply go to the EBSQ Forum, find Member Groups, Challenges & General Art Discussions and then go to Challenge Central. All the challenges past and present – including Simon Sez, can be found there.

Like what you see here? We hope you’ll consider leaving a comment or subscribing to one of our feeds. Never miss another cool post from EBSQ. Subscribe to EBSQ: Art Meets Blog v2.0 by Email today!

Winner announced in Simon Sez… Warm Me Up!

The winner of Simon Sez… Warm Me Up! is Donna Gill Colestock. Amanda Makepeace – Simon for last week’s Simon Sez, proclaimed Donna the winner for her entry “Jamaica Heat 2007”.

Jamaica Heat 2007 - Donna Gill Colestock

If you want keep up with Simon Sez, be sure to go to the EBSQ Forum and check Challenge Central. Challenge Central is the place to check on current and past Simon Sez challenges – complete with all the entries, as well as all other EBSQ Challenges.

Congratulations Donna! We look forward to your turn as Simon.

Simon Sez… Warm Me Up!

This week’s Simon is EBSQ artist Amanda Makepeace. The theme she has chosen for her turn as Simon is “Warm Me Up!” Amanda said this of her choice: “I thought it would take me longer to come up with a theme, but with my hands so cold it’s difficult to type, there was only one theme to suit the week. Warm Me Up!!

This is open to all mediums, limit 3 entries. Lot’s of possibilities here…could be images of some place warm, or images of things to warm me up, or even abstracts of colors to thaw my frozen fingers! Be creative!

Here’s my contribution. Doesn’t that steaming hot water look inviting?

Oh, and the challenge ends this Sunday at midnight. I’ll pick the winner next Monday while sipping on my HOT coffee.”

All Simon Sez challenges are open to everyone. To enter Simon Sez… Treats! and to see the all the entries, simply go to the EBSQ Forum, find Member Groups, Challenges & General Art Discussions and then go to Challenge Central. All the challenges past and present – including Simon Sez, can be found there.

Simon Sez… Treats!

This week’s Simon is EBSQ artist Alma Lee. The theme she has chosen for her turn as Simon is “treats”. She explained the reason for her choice this way: “Recently I was “strongly” encouraged to paint a couple of cupcakes for my nieces newly decorated room. It has been done in cupcakes. I can’t even grasp the concept of why you would want food on the the wall of a young girls room but none the less, it got me to thinking. So Simon says treats of any kind… Rules: Length: now-12/13/09 , limit 5.
Lets have em! Here is Libby’s Cupcake to get things started.

Simon Sez… Pets! winner announced!

The winner of Simon Sez… Pets! is Alma Lee. S. Key – Simon for last week’s Simon Sez, said this of her choice: “I loved the lighting in this. It had the look of a portrait, but the feel of just “Codie, basking in the sun on the family couch.”

Congratulations Alma! We look forward to your turn as Simon.

Simon Sez… Pets!

This week’s Simon is EBSQ artist S. Key. She has chosen “pets” as her theme. She said of her choice: “Bring ‘Em On!! Show me your “PETS” (you know, the ones that give you unconditional love, or worship the ground you walk on…LOL). We all have our favorite photo, painting, etc. Any media, limit of 5 (only because I know I am going to have a hard time choosing). I will make my pick next Sunday. Here is mine to start it off: Black/white photo, hand altered-daughter and her cat “Psycho”

All Simon Sez challenges are open to everyone. To enter Simon Sez… Pets! and to see the all the entries, simply go to the EBSQ Forum, find Member Groups, Challenges & General Art Discussions and then go to Challenge Central. All the challenges past and present – including Simon Sez, can be found there.

Simon Sez… Music! winner announced!

The winner of Simon Sez… Music! is S. Key. Lisa Miller – Simon for last week’s Simon Sez, said this of the winning photograph: “This is work after my own heart. I am always drawn to a marching band. I’ve watched them and been involved with them for years. I find this image very interesting and I am fascinating by the hand coloring. Congrats S. Key…you are the next Simon.”

Congratulations S. Key! We look forward to your turn as Simon.

Simon Sez… Music!

This week’s Simon is EBSQ artist Lisa Miller. Her theme choice is music. Her directions were simple: “Serenade me with art, please. Unlimited, any media, deadline next Sunday… Knock my sox off.”

All Simon Sez challenges are open to everyone. To enter Simon Sez… Music! and to see the all the entries, simply go to the EBSQ Forum, find Member Groups, Challenges & General Art Discussions and then go to Challenge Central. All the challenges past and present – including Simon Sez, can be found there.

A winner in Simon Sez… Red!

Lisa Miller is the winner of Simon Sez… Red! Muriel Areno – Simon for last week’s Simon Sez, asked for red because “Today is a gloomy day, so I thought I’d pick a color for the Simon challenge.” Out of the many entries, she chose Lisa’s photograph. Muriel said of Lisa’s red barn “Lisa’s photo has such a dreamy feeling, and it is both hot and cold. You captured the essence of a barn. Just a wonderful image.”

Congratulations Lisa! We look forward to your turn as Simon.

Winner announced in Simon Sez… Shadows!

The winner of Simon Sez… Shadows! is Muriel Areno. Amanda Makepeace – Simon for last week’s Simon Sez, said this of Muriel’s photograph: “I really can’t explain it, but the combination of the shadows of the bowls and the sunlight hitting the wall captivated me! Yay!”

Back Porch, Early Morning - Muriel Areno

Congratulations Muriel! We look forward to your turn as Simon.

Simon Sez… Shadows!

This week’s Simon is EBSQ artist Amanda Makepeace. The theme she chose for her turn as Simon is shadows. Amanda put her request this way: “The new challenge is SHADOWS! Open to paintings, drawings, photography…you name it. Since I was a bit slow realizing I won the last challenge (slaps head now) I will keep this one open till midnight on Monday 9th November.”

Thanks to @EBSQ for the idea! Here’s my contribution to get us all started.

All Simon Sez challenges are open to everyone. To enter Simon Sez… Shadows! and to see the all the entries, simply go to the EBSQ Forum, find Member Groups, Challenges & General Art Discussions and then go to Challenge Central. All the challenges past and present – including Simon Sez, can be found there.

Simon Sez… Reflections! winner announced!

Amanda Makepeace is the winner of Simon Sez… Reflections! Patricia Lee Christensen – Simon for last week’s Simon Sez, chose Amanda’s photograph because of it’s “great composition and feeling”. She said “I love the subtle misty reflections in the back of the pool and the sky reflection in the foreground.”

Roman Baths, Bath, England - Amanda Makepeace

Congratulations Amanda! We look forward to your turn as Simon.

Winner announced in Simon Sez… Halloween!

This week’s Simon Sez challenge winner is Patricia Lee Christensen. Harlan – this week’s Simon, chose Halloween as her them. She had something to say about all the entries and wished she could have chosen them all, but ultimately, she decided to “pass the baton” to Patricia.

First Pumpkin - Patricia Lee Christensen

Congratulations Patricia! We look forward to your turn as Simon.

Simon Sez… Halloween!

This week’s Simon is EBSQ artist Harlan. The theme she chose for her turn as Simon is Halloween. She put her reason for choosing Halloween this way: “Oooooooo scary!!!! Predictable, I know but seasonal and hopefully it will get us into the spirit (haha)!!!!”

All Simon Sez challenges are open to everyone. To enter Simon Sez… Halloween! and to see the all the entries, simply go to the EBSQ Forum, find Member Groups, Challenges & General Art Discussions and then go to Challenge Central. All the challenges past and present – including Simon Sez, can be found there.