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!
I think Spring has come to EBSQ. Here’s a peek at some of the fantastic, fresh art from the EBSQ front page.
Congratulations to our Winter Landscape exhibit winners!
Winter Cattails by Harlan & Sunset over Snowy Creek by CES
The Old Barn In Winter by Penny Stewart & Dust of Snow by Patience
Who else grew up watching Bob Ross on public television?
Anyone planning a plein air adventure for their Winter Landscape Exhibit entry? Take look at this great video from artist Lori McNee.
1. Shining Through – Robert Kimball’s latest landscape painting reminds me of new, Spring green leaves. Spring can’t get here fast enough.
2. Five Not to Miss Art Shows in NYC Spring 2012 – If you live in NYC or are planning a trip, check out Miriam Schulman’s post on the art shows you don’t want to miss.
3. American Art Collector, March 2012 – Congratulations to Kari Tirrell, who’s pastel painting is featured in the March episode!
4. The Perfect Marriage – Jeanne Forsyth has been combining her creative loves. The result is amazing!
5. Facebook Me – Artist Heather Kross will be holding a giveaway when her new Facebook page reaches 100 fans. Nice!
Have a wonderful weekend!
This week’s EBSQ Blogger of the Week captures a divine beauty in everything she paints. Her art reminds me of dream-like memories, full of magic and light!
Who and where are you?
I am Patricia Lee Christensen, a visual artist using various mediums to produce colorful images. We moved from the Seattle area about five years ago and I am now living at the base of the Wasatch Mountains in Layton, Utah. My art education is in advertising. My art has been very diverse. For years I primarily did pastel portrait commissions, art festivals and fairs as well as commercial work. My favorite mediums are pastel, acrylic, pen & ink and watercolor. I love oil too, but find the solvents & fumes are unhealthy for me.
How did you get started art blogging?
I started blogging with two separate blogs; thoughts on one and art stuff of the other. Not only was it difficult to keep up with two blogs but there was too much overlapping between the two, so now I maintain one blog. I find blogging is enlightening and perhaps you can even experience an epiphany. It is like standing back and viewing what is evolving in a more objective way. It is helpful in finding your ‘own voice’. A couple of days ago, I posted how I realized that over many years I had painted several scenes with pathways or trails. It was interesting to me that I had gravitated to that image many times… The great thing about a blog is that it is at the same time a visual and verbal journal.
Any tips for other EBSQ art bloggers?
The obvious is to post regularly. Most of us do not have a lot of time for reading blogs, so concise choice of words is important. I will go back and remove excess words and simplify where possible after writing my thoughts. That is one important thing I learned in advertising – people do not give you that much time; each word must count. Artists are visual people. I believe lots of images are important and less text – although sometimes you need to express thoughts and explain the process. It is your blog and you are the boss of it!
What’s your musical inspiration of choice when you’re working in your studio?
Definitely instrumental music – no lyrics. When I am teaching I also bring along a CD player. Meditative music is critical to the creative process! It quiets the negative voices in your head and allows the creativity to flow. I listen to Pandora online and have created a few different stations depending on the mood. I enjoy New Age music such as Paul Cardall, Yani, Kitaro’s Silk Road, Laura Sullivan, Celtic music, Phil Coulter and Beegie Adair jazz to name a few.
What’s coming next from your easel?
I have some commissions I will ship in the next few days. There are five 20” square acrylic on gallery wrapped canvases of some whimsical zoo animals for a client in Colorado. I should mention here the buyer found me through my EBSQ portfolio! I am currently working on several pastel, acrylic and drawing projects at the same time. I do not consider myself an accomplished watercolor painter, but I love to play with watercolors for the joy of it, and that is why I have several light and whimsical paintings in my Etsy store amongst the more serious acrylics and pastels. I find it increases the quality of the art to jump from each project to approach the other with a fresh eye. We have several shows and events here in the greater Salt Lake / Ogden, Utah, area that I am preparing for. I love the diverse opportunities, the wonderful interesting people, and the exciting possibilities this artful life has given me!
Thank you Patricia for being an EBSQ Blogger of the Week!
If you are an EBSQ Artist and would like to be considered for Blogger of the Week just add us to your blogroll. I’m searching EBSQ profiles weekly for links to artist’s blogs. If you aren’t an EBSQ Artist, what are you waiting for?
When I think of November my mind wanders to Autumn Leaves, Thanksgiving, and the richness of Nature. I decided it was only natural to let these thoughts and feelings spread to this month’s EBSQ Blogger of the Week. First up is an artist who’s landscape paintings are rich not only in the thickly applied paint, but also the love of Nature behind them.
Who and where are you?
My name is Kimberly Vanlandingham and you can find me here in beautiful Kentucky. My art medium of late has mostly been oils, though I can work with most mediums. My intention is to capture moments of time in nature. Growing up in a rural setting, I spent a lot of time marching about on my Grandparents farm looking for places I would think of as my own secret garden. Funny thing is, I still do that now! I arm myself with my camera, desperate to find that “secret garden” that only I know the entrance to. Difference is, now I capture those places on the canvas and share them with you.
How did you get started blogging?
I honestly started blogging because I had heard it was a great way to promote ones business. Since, I don’t do much of anything without doing some research, I bought a book called: Blogging For Bliss, Crafting Your Own Online Journal. What a beautiful and inspiring book! I loved reading all of the stories and checking out the gorgeous blogs. I just knew that I would need to be a part of that. What my blog has turned into is a place where collectors, whether ongoing or new, can go to learn a bit more about me. I’ve tried to make it more personal, yet still have a place where a purchase can be made.
Any Tips for other EBSQ bloggers?
Be yourself. It’s been my experience that people are much more willing to purchase your art if they feel like they know or have met you. I’m hoping as my blog evolves that my collectors will feel like they do know me and look forward to stopping in to see what I’m up to.
What’s your musical Inspiration or any rituals associated with creative time?
I like country, classical, and most forms of music. I have a couple of CD’s that I enjoy when painting. For upbeat: Heart in Motion by Amy Grant. For relaxing: Paint The Sky With Stars by Enya. I also turn on the TV sometimes, but I still treat my painting time as a job. I go to my studio every day to work and have a list of daily and weekly goals. This helps keep me focused and helps my work to stay on track. I’m flexible when I need to be, but I know that my success depends upon me.
What’s coming next from the easel?
I’ve been focusing on school and the line of small works for ebay. My newest projects, which will be
in addition to my ongoing ebay line, will be larger works. Since I started working in a more painterly,
impressionistic style, I’ve been much happier and content. I would like to push that style a bit with my larger works without losing the sense of nostalgia I feel when painting the smaller ones.
http://www.kvanlandinghamoriginals.blogspot.com/
Thank you Kim for being an EBSQ Blogger of the Week!
If you are an EBSQ Artist and would like to be considered for Blogger of the Week just add us to your blogroll. I’m searching EBSQ profiles weekly for links to artist’s blogs. If you aren’t an EBSQ Artist, what are you waiting for?
Art & News from EBSQ 