This is the official Blog for the EBSQ Self-Representing Artists Community, where you'll find news, reviews, site announcements, and of course, a generous helping of art!
New art, blogged by a handful of our artists. From left to right: The Romantic by Christine Striemer, Cloud Shadows by Karen Winters, Half Corked by Torrie Smiley, Harvest Moon Shield by Gretchen Del Rio, and Plum Tasty by Carol DeMumbrum.
This week’s Friday Five features art blogged by our EBSQ artists participating in Nibblefest. Good luck ladies!
From left to right: Aliens by Marie Messina, Frenchie by Deb Harvey, Zombie/Merle Dixon by Heather Sims, Testing a Moonsuit by Sherry Key, and V-I-C-K-Y by Christine Striemer.
1. Across the Street – This beautiful new painting by Christine E Striemer is available to purchase. Check her blog for details!
2. The Artist’s Magazine Finalist – Congratulations to Sandra Willard, a finalist in The Artist’s Magazine’s 30th Annual Art Competition!
3. 5 Ways to Get Inspired – Delilah Smith offers every day solutions to get inspired.
4. My New Art Studio – Yours truly moved over the summer. I shared my new studio space and goals on my blog.
5. Target Scholarships That Put an Art Degree Within Reach – US News & World Report has a great article on scholarships for artists and goes on to promote the various career opportunities for those with an art degree.
1. BYOBa – I can’t get enough of Sherry Key’s whimsical and often surreal art. Can you guess the meaning of BYOBa?
2. Hollyhock Painting Started – Take a peek inside Kimberly Vanlandingham’s studio to see how she gets started painting.
3. MOTM: Our Bodies – This month’s free mandala by Maureen Frank encourages us to listen to our bodies and slow down!
4. It won’t be long before my local convention, DragonCon, is underway. This year both Jasmine Becket-Griffith and Tiffany Toland-Scott will be at the Art Show!
5. Tips on Pricing your Art for Licensing – I see this question pop up in the forums often. So here you go. EmptyEasel.com dishes out a few tips to help you with the process.
New art, blogged by EBSQ Artists across the web.
Featured above: Cheers by Windi Rosson, Golden Cherub by Mark Satchwill, Dasha Bracelet by Vicki Miller, Royal Flush by Christine Striemer, and Titanic: The Last Stanza by Alma Lee.
1. Discovery, Fairy Laundry Day Redux – Sherry’s Key’s imagination is tickles my inner child. I adore this redux of her original Fairy Laundry Day, but I may be a bit bias–I own the original. 😉
2. How to Get Published in a Bead/Jewelry Magazine – Laura Bracken has an excellent post for jewelry artists wanting to be published. This is only Part 1 so be sure to follow her blog for part two.
3. Watercolor Walk-through – Carmen Medlin shares a walk-through for two of her latest watercolor aceo paintings. Discover the in’s and out’s of her process!
4. Art in the White Mountains – Congratulations to Jeanne Forsyth! She has recently been accepted into the North Easter Arizona Fine Arts Association. Her paintings will be on exhibit at the High Country Art Gallery beginning May 22nd.
5. Cambodia vs. the Cleveland Art Museum – Cambodia is the latest country to come forward seeking art they say was stolen from an archaeological site.
1. Dogwood Prince – I love this new painting for May by Gretchen Del Rio. Have the dogwoods bloomed where you live?
2. Creating a Fantasy Storybook Illustration – Wonderful post from Ursula Tessa Brozovich- Kerger on creating a Fantasy illustration.
3. Mother’s Day Studio Tour – The 15th Annual Camano Island Studio Tour begins May 10th. EBSQ Glass Bead Artist Vicki Miller will have works shown in the Seagrass Gallery. See her blog for more details.
4. Kickstarter vs. IndieGoGo – Tiffany Toland-Scott shares her experience with the two big crowdfunding sites.
5. Varnish and Finish Coats – Georgia Papadakis has an informative post on her blog about varnish, finish coats and their effect on a painting’s overall color.
1. Stumpy Runs Away – “He glides through the air with the greatest of ease, that daring tree stump on the flying trapeze…”
2. How I chose my favorite art mediums – Carmen Medlin has a wonderful post on her blog about her introduction to colored pencils and watercolors.
3. Blog Planner Worksheet – Ever have trouble decided on what to write for your blog? Stacey Zimmerman invites you to take some inspiration from her custom planner.
4. Published in Somerset Studios – Congratulations to Michele Lynch for being published in the May/June issue of Somerset Studios!
5. Engage your Facebook Art Fans – The EmptyEasel has a great tip post on keeping your Facebook Fans coming back for more. Check it out!
1. At the Sunset Hour – Karen Winters captures perfectly the magic of a southwestern sunset in her latest painting.
2. Art and Artifice – Georgia Papadakis asks the big questions in her latest blog post: What drives an artist to make a given work of art?
3. MOTM: The Other Side of the Shadow – Maureen Frank’s April Mandala is available to download for free. This month she asks you to explore your full self, even the Shadow we like to hide from the world.
4. April Print Giveaway – Yours truly is once again giveaway a free art print. Stop by my blog for details. Deadline is Sunday night!
5. How to handle tough criticism – Criticism can be an invaluable tool for growing as an artist, but it’s not always easy to accept when said criticism may be more harsh than we expect. EmptyEasel.com has some great advice for taking it in but not taking it personally.
1. No River like a Craving – Head over to Angie Reed Garner’s blog for a larger of view of this immense painting and step into the river.
2. The making of Esplanade Beauty – Melanie Douthit walks us through her painting process. It’s always interesting to see how an artists approaches a painting.
3. My Art and thoughts on Norman Rockwell – Erika Nelson recently had the pleasure of viewing large Rockwell exhibit. I think anytime we see an artist’s work for the first time in a gallery setting, as opposed to through the media, we are changed.
4.6 Tips for Creating Artist Business Cards – Some excellent advice from the folks at EmptyEasel.com.
5. Are you an EBSQ Artist with a newsworthy blog post? Let me know: amanda[at]ebsqart[dot]com
1. Winterwood – EBSQ Artist Mark Satchwill, may be best known for his portraits, but he proves he can paint anything with this wonderful winter landscape.
2. EBSQ January Exhibits – Today is the first day to vote in January’s online exhibits. We have two shows: FOTM – Mixed Bouquet and Norse Mythology.
3. Getting Ready for the Circus Show – Claudia Roulier shares how the background of her paintings evolve.
4. How to Choose the Best Social Media Outlet – Don’t have time for multiple social networking sites? All you really need to do is pick the right one for you and your art. This article from EmptyEasel.com shares some great tips!
5. Stay Connected with EBSQ – Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Forum
1. Ready to Rock – Marcia Baldwin’s latest painting reminds me how important music is to my own art. Do you rock out while you paint? Check her blog for purchase details.
2. Cleaning my Studio and Hanging it in Record Time – And it was all caught on camera. Check out this great video from Claudia Roulier!
3. 11 Tips for Creating, Promoting, and Holding a Twitter Chat About your Art – If you’re an artist and you’re on Twitter this is the article for you. Need I say more?
4. EBSQ Winter Sale – Membership to EBSQ is still on sale. Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to show your, participate in online exhibits and connect with other artists.
5. I’m always on the look-out for newsworthy blog posts. If you have one let me know: amanda[at]ebsqart[dot]com
1. Stop and Smell the Daisies – Carol DeMumbrum is participating in a challenge to paint 30 paintings in 30 days. The delightful golden retriever above is the first.
2. MOTD: When all Else Fails – Maureen Frank’s free mandala for January can be downloaded from her blog. This month’s is not about failure, but endings becoming beginnings.
3. 2013 EBSQ Exhibit Calendar – I’ve written a blog post about the exhibits I plan to enter this year. Have you too made a plan?
4. How I Combine Colors in an Abstract Tree – Miriam Schulman discusses her process in the latest post to her blog.
5. 6 Powerful New Years Art Resolutions – If you’ve been avoiding commitment to a diet or maybe cleaning out the garage, maybe you need to focus on this Art Resolutions from EmptyEasel.com. 😉
Happy New Year!
1. Winter Sun – Gretchen Del Rio’s Arctic Hair seemed like an appropriate way to start off November. Let’s hope the winter to come is as serene as her watercolors.
2. MOTM: Practice – November’s free Mandala of the Month, via Maureen Frank, is a reminder that practice is an important key to success in new endeavors.
3. Day 306 – Have you ever lost one of your mittens? Don’t fear! Took Gallagher shares her solution in her 365-Project.
4. Strange Little Girls November Events – Jo Hards shares when and where you can buy her Gothic dolls this month.
5. Pinterest Webinar Coming – Natasha Wescoat has an announcement in the EBSQ Forums about a new webinar. She’s seeking your questions. Check it out!
Have a great weekend!
1. Alla Prima Pumpkin – It wouldn’t be Halloween without a pumpkin and this one by Christine Striemer is a work of fine art!
2. The Painted Bra Art Project – EBSQ artist Windi Rosson is participating in a project to support breast cancer awareness. See her blog for more details!
3. Bringing Home the Herd – Take a look at my blog to learn about an IndieGoGo project that will feature some of my original watercolors. The alpacas are coming!
4. Build Relationships with your Pinterest Followers – Building relationships with any group of people online is the first step toward creating repeat buyers. Take a look at this great article from EmptyEasel.com.
5. Send me your newsworthy blog posts!! You can contact me at amanda[at]ebsqart[dot]com.
Have a great weekend and watch out for those zombies!
1. Jail Bull – Melinda Dalke’s Halloween pooches are some of the cutest at EBSQ. Be sure to check out the rest of her blog for other Halloween canines.
2. Licensed KiniArt Westie Scrubs – The title says it all. Delightful Westies of Kim Niles’ imagination can now be found on scrubs!
3. How to Self-Publish an Art Book – More great advice from EmptyEasel.com for anyone who’s thinking of publishing an art book.
4. Sign up for the EBSQ Halloween Showcase – Upload art to the EBSQ Halloween Gallery and then visit the forums to let me know you’d like to be included!
5. Do you have a news worthy post you’d like to see in the EBSQ Friday Five? Email me at amanda[at]ebsqart[dot]com.
1. October Love – October can be spooky, but also cute–why not full of love too? Check out the latest from EBSQ Artist Carmen Medlin!
2. Pumpkin Jack is Back – Who’s Pumpkin Jack, you ask? Click over to Sherry Key’s blog and discover the horror!
3. Make your own Halloween Tree – I decided to turn a family project into a tutorial for my blog!
4. This Guy’s Stuff is So Awesome, I Think I’ll Steal It – On a more serious note, Kathleen Ralph has an excellent article on her blog about art, attribution, and the digital age.
5. EBSQ Halloween Showcase – Have you signed up for the showcase I will feature here on the blog?
Have a wonderful weekend and watch out for those zombies!
1. Spooktacular Halloween Showcase – It’s October! Each Friday in October I will be sharing something spooky as the main image. Today it’s Jo Hard’s Strange Little Girls. The doll above and other are going on sale this weekend.
2. ADAA Doll Convention – Registration is open for ADAA (All Dolls Are Art) doll convention EBSQ’s own Michelle Lynch will be there teaching two classes. Check her blog for details!
3. MOTM: Reaching Out – Here’s what Maureen Frank has to say about this month’s mandala: ‘Rise and shine, folks! The time is now. Stop the excuses. Waiting for things to be perfect before we put ourselves out there…ain’t gonna cut it any more.’
4. Why sell Limited Edition Prints? – EmptyEasel.com has a great article on, you guessed it, Limited Edition Prints. Do you sell them? Are they necessary?
5. Halloween Showcase on the EBSQ Blog – I have a post up on the forum about a special showcase I’ll be hosting on October 31st. Take a look and chime in if you want to be included!!
Have a great weekend everyone!
1. Painted Ladies – The painting above by Deb Harvey is only part of a larger, beautiful painting. Check out her blog post for it and a second painted lady.
2. MOTM: Stay Calm – Have you seen Maureen’s free monthly mandalas? They are free to download and color!
3. Is your Art Blog Helping (or Hurting!) your Brand Online? – Excellent article. “If you’re really not up to using a blog, it’s better to not have that feature at all than to have one that’s been left on your website as an afterthought.”
4. How I made $50,000 Selling Art on Facebook – Natasha Wescoat shares some secrets to her success on TheAbundantArtist.com.
5. I’m always looking for great blog articles to share with the EBSQ community. If you have one email me at amanda [at] ebsqart [dot] [com].
Art & News from EBSQ 