Michelle Leivan Originals

Topeka Art Guild Gallery celebrates “Kansans Paint Kansas” art competition - Topeka art | Examiner.com

2010-09-26T11:12:00.000-07:00

Topeka Art Guild celebrates the Third Annual “Kansans Paint Kansas” juried art competition this weekend with live music, food and Kansas inspired art. The afternoon party promises to be a fun filled event with Nate Hill of KSNT as Master of Ceremonies, Dulcimer Music by Fred Appelhanz and many of the participating artists will be in attendance. The announcement of prize award winning entries for 2D, 3D, photography and student categories will be made during the grand opening reception on Sunday September 26, 2010 from 2-5pm at the Topeka Art Guild Gallery. Read more at : Topeka Art Guild Gallery celebrates “Kansans Paint Kansas” art competition - Topeka art | Examiner.com

Fifth annual Aaron Douglas Art Fair - Topeka art | Examiner.com

2010-09-24T05:46:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year for fall art fairs. These are always enjoyable, there is usually food, fun artsy activities and best of all - original art from local artists! This weekend Topeka kicks off the season with the Aaron Douglas Art Fair: A Celebration of Community on September 25th from 10-5 at the Aaron Douglas Art Park at 12th and Lane. Admission is free.

Read More...

Fifth annual Aaron Douglas Art Fair - Topeka art | Examiner.com

NOTO - Art spaces for artists

2010-04-08T06:28:00.000-07:00

NOTO - Art spaces for artists

Exciting New Opportunity for
Local and Regional/National Artists

ARTISTS’ SYMPOSIUM

Whether you are an established entrepreneurial artist, or an emerging artist, join the conversation.

Location
The Left Bank Room
820 North Kansas Avenue
Saturday, April 24, 2010
2-4 p.m.

www.notoartsdistrict.com

Plans for the NOTO Arts District Topeka, Kansas

Hear about the plan for developing an arts district in historic North Topeka
See how you can become part of this exciting project
Learn about moving expenses, subsidized rent and other benefits for qualifying artists
Tour potential art studio spaces with affordable rent
Review the time frame
Give your ideas

RSVP to: barbara.peters@att.net
Questions: awolgast@cox.net

A project of the Quality of Life Foundation, Heartland Visioning of Topeka

Tulips and Daffodils found a home

2010-04-06T20:42:00.000-07:00

My Facebook posts led to my most recent paintings, "Daffodils - Signs of Spring" and "Easter Tulips" to find a home tonight. As with many art buyers there is a story. Identical twin grand-daughters, one who loves daffodils and the other who loves tulips inspired the purchase of these two paintings. Grandma wanted something unique and beautiful in her house that reflected her beloved girls. I love this story, it is art sold for exactly the way art should be acquired and is the exact reason why I paint. There is not a better complement than to find that your work makes a connection and for it to bring a lifetime of joy and memories for another person. Thank you Jeanie!

Easter Tulips

2010-04-04T19:46:00.000-07:00

A new painting for Easter... the tulips have not yet bloomed locally. The snow storm a couple of weeks ago stunted their blooms. It may be a couple of weeks yet before I get new photos of our tulips but I found a photo from last year that I had forgotten that I had and was wanting to paint. I believe it makes a beautiful companion piece for the daffodils I painted last week.

Daffodils Signs of Spring

2010-03-27T12:56:00.000-07:00

10"x8" Oil
These beautiful daffodils made it through the snowy weekend of the first of spring. I am so thankful to see them in bloom after the long, snowy winter. My cabin fever has finally broken and I look forward to more flowers in the garden and on the roadside yet to be discovered and painted. Daffodils are not my usual flower to paint, I typically prefer the wildflowers of Kansas, but I loved doing this piece. The weather isn't ideal to paint outside,yet... so I photographed these and painted in my studio, I just couldn't bring myself to cut any of them. The three dimensional quality of the bloom provided a much need challenge for this weekend's painting fun. I continue to experiment with oils and I am finding that with experience comes confidence, isn't that the way it is with everything. One of these days, soon, I'll be ready for some plein aire pieces straight out of the Flint Hills.

Wine Bottle Lamp with Corks and a Scarf

2010-03-21T17:29:00.001-07:00

10"x8" oil on canvas

Here is my newest painting another cabin fever inspired still life. These items were just hanging out around the house, just begging to be painted. I am still getting used to using oils and haven't quite found my comfort zone yet. I am less intimidated by the medium and am willing to reach out and explore a bit more. I hope to be out capturing fresh new Kansas Wildflowers soon!

Today is the first day of Spring and I can't wait until spring has finally sprung for real. This weekend we had over 6 inches of snow to blanket the green promises that were just barely spoken of last week. It looks as if the snow is going to clear quickly as there are a few patches of green already breaking through the new blanket.

One evening last week, when our highs hit the low 70's, I spent some time on our deck picking up the various debris acquired over the long winter, inspecting and rearranging the outdoor furniture in anticipation of a new season. I also made a pass around the house looking for the various flowers and discovered some new sprouts of the purple cone flowers, daffodils and tulips preparing for the glorious season. Also, I rummaged around the back shed, inspected my electric scooter and made sure it was plugged in and ready for it's maiden journey of wildflower discovery for the year, just to have my hopes for this weekend dashed. Such is life, maybe next weekend, at least everything is ready to go.

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Orange and Grapes | Michelle Leivan Original Paintings

2010-03-18T06:48:00.000-07:00

Not my usual subject matter but it was snowy and I had cabin fever! I also had a strong desire to paint and these were just sitting in the fridge begging to be painted. It was a lot of fun treking down an unexplored path. The last few months have been full of distractions and it was so refreshing to do something completely different.

Orange and Grapes | Michelle Leivan Original Paintings

Landscapes in the Abstract - Opening Reception and Newsletter Link

2010-02-04T05:08:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow during the First Friday Art Walk, SouthWind Art Gallery is hosting a bold new show of contemporary abstract landscapes for which I have created some new pieces.

Artists' Reception
Friday, Feb. 5, 2010
6 - 8:30 p.m.

I am stepping out of my box a little for these, but I am having a load of fun! It is going to be a fantastic show with artist's from across the country. Also, my necklaces, winecharms, tiles and cards are available at SouthWind Art Gallery. Not everything is available online, but stop in and see me 10-6 Monday through Thursday.

Gallery Hours: Monday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Landscapes in the Abstract is the title of our annual all-abstract exhibit featuring the work of 33 artists from Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, and Canada.

This year's all-abstract show focuses on the landscape, but rather than literal translations, the artists interpret nature in fresh and powerful abstract forms that capture atmosphere and mood instead of detail The artists' have used shape, color, texture and line that elicits both contemplation and excitement for the viewer.

The stylistic variety in Landscapes in the Abstract is highly engaging with 33 artists participating, each using his or her own visual impressions and emotions to create works of art. The paintings in the exhibit include all mediums from acrylic to oils, to watercolor and encaustic, as well as mixed media pieces.

Landscapes in the Abstract Artists:
Janet Bailey, Ed Balda, Carol A. Bradbury, Steve Denny, Dana Hassett, Mike Henry, Phillip Hershberger, Linda Humphries, Cally Krallman, Michelle Leivan, Jancy Pettit, Beverly Radefeld, and Barbara Waterman-Peters (Topeka, KS); John Gary Brown, Jane R. Flanders, Robert Sudlow, and Joanie Whitenight (Lawrence, KS); James Pringle Cook (Tucson, AZ); Gary Ozias (Downs, KS); Debra J. Groesser (Ralston, NE); Nicole and Wes Hyde (Denver, CO); Stephen Kilborn (Taos, NM); Alyson, KinKade (Loveland, CO); Scott Lennox (Ft. Worth, TX); Mary Binford Miller (Eldorado, KS); Neil Patterson (Alberta, Canada); Jim Rigg (Manhattan, KS); Don Tiller (Port Townsend, WA).

To see more go to www.SouthWindArtGallery.com

Also, February Newsletter Link from Michelle Leivan Original Painting

Two Opportunites to Play Stroke of Genius Game!

2009-10-15T05:45:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

I want to invite you to two Stroke of Genius Game Night opportunities.

The first is at Ice and Olives in Topeka on October 15, 2009 at 5:30. Ice and Olives' Java Bar, at 29th and Croco, Topeka has a wonderful menu and great coffee. So make plans for supper and free games!

The other opportunity will be at the Arty Party a fun filled fundraiser for Arts Connect on October 17th 7:00pm.-11:00pm
College Hill Apartments, 1425 SW Lane, Topeka. Click here to make your reservations for this event.

Also, catch me on Ralph Hipp's 13 news at 4 on WIBW channel 13 show, October 12th to learn more about the Stroke of Genius Game!

It will be wild and exciting evenings of artsy game fun! Let me know if you are planning to attend either or both of these events!

Sincerely,

Michelle Leivan

Stroke of Genius Game Night

Ice and Olives on Thursday October 15th

5:30 pm - Play Stroke of Genius Game for FREE!

"All you game groupies need to mark your calendar and visit us beginning at 5:30 PM to play "Stroke of Genius", an innovative new game which uses art as its focal point, invented by local artist Michelle Levian." - Barry Busch owner of Ice & Olives' Java Bar.

This game night is a little earlier than the last one at Ice and Olives, and it's because they have GREAT food and coffee. You can make your evening of Food, Fun and Games!

Stroke of Genius is a creative game that challenges you to take a single drawn Stroke and transform it into an imaginative picture that reflects the Spark Word, please the Juror and collect the Spark Word cards to win the game.

Offering fun for three or more players, each spontaneous stroke challenges you, sparks the imagination and offers limitless possibilities and healthy self expression. Your fellow Artist provides that first stroke and the Juror a word of thought provoking direction. Your task is to quickly finish the picture, in any way you want. Keep in mind, you must please the ever subjective Juror to earn enough Spark Cards to declare yourself the Art Genius and win!

And there will even be Stroke of Genius Game Swag as prizes! But surely you'd come even if I didn't bribe you...

You can see some home videos of game play and various comments about the game at www.strokeofgeniusgame.com (it's a facebook page, so why not become a fan while you are there too!)

Ice and Olives

Starting at 5:30 p.m.
Thunderbird Square Shopping Center
29th and Croco Rd.
Topeka, KS
785.215.8460

Celebrate the Arts in Topeka with the Stroke of Genius Game!

at the Arty Party!

It's Part Art, Part Party

Celebrating Topeka:
A Great Arts Town!

Cool Cocktails
Delectable Desserts
Interactive Art
Art Market
Stroke of Genius Game play!

Live Music by
Josh Vowell & the Rumble (winner of the Topeka IBC International Blues Challenge)
The Nick Hern Band &
DJs Ebony & Ivory

Reservation costs:

$35 per person

$75 VIP Includes an exclusive, limited edition, signed and numbered Mike Savage print AND access to the Splash! VIP Lounge

$135 Couple's VIP Includes 2 tickets with Splash! VIP Lounge, and 1 Mike Savage print

I will have a display of my artwork in the Art Market where you can buy not only the game but some wonderful gifts of Kansas Wildflower original paintings, necklaces, wine charm sets and notecards for the upcoming holidays! There will be game tables on the patio available so you can to learn how to play Stroke of Genius Game before you buy it for everyone you know!

Where & When

College Hill Apartments
1425 SW Lane

Topeka, Kansas

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

7pm-11pm
Please click here to
make your reservations
for this event!

Diane Lawrence has 3 spaces left in her Oct. 24th Silk Workshop. Hurry to enroll.

2009-09-23T19:43:00.001-07:00

Diane teaches classes in silk painting and watercolor three times weekly from her studio in her home, located in Berryton, KS. Evening classes are offered Monday and Tuesday from 7:00-9:00 PM. Daytime classes are available on Tuesday mornings from 9:30-11:30 AM. Class sizes are kept small -- generally less than 15 students -- to ensure that each student receives adequate personal attention. The fee for each class is $10.00, payable at the beginning of the month. For further information, please contact us.
Diane also occassionally offers workshops and seminars in silkpainting. For more information about workshop schedules, pricing, and enrollment, contact us.

via dlstudiosonline.com

Diane has 3 spaces left in the Silk Workshop on October 24th. Cost is $95, this includes most of the supplies except brushes. Contact Diane Lawrence at 785-862-5606 to enroll.

Posted via web from michelleleivan's posterous

Wild Indigo Sunspot - Has found a wonderful home. Congrats Kimberly!

2009-09-20T06:55:00.001-07:00

via michelleleivan.com

This piece has found a wonderful home. I delivered it yesterday and met the delightful family who bought it. Thank you so much Kimberly and family for your appreciation and support of my work. I am looking forward to your new friendship.

Posted via web from michelleleivan's posterous

Proof: Topeka is a Great Arts Town - Aaron Douglas Art Fair

2009-09-10T07:18:00.001-07:00

4th Annual Aaron Douglas Art Fair
Don’t miss out on this great family event!
Mark your calendars for the 4th Annual Aaron Douglas Art Fair coming this fall on Saturday, September 26, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Aaron Douglas Art Park. This year’s fair will be bigger than ever, featuring:
* Local artist exhibiting original artwork in a variety of mediums
* "Kansas Silkers" will be doing demonstrations of their art process
* Live musical entertainment
o 11:00-12:30 Irving Curtis Quartet
o 12:30-1:00 Belly Dance Topeka featuring Hathor's Hips Belly Dance Troupe
o 1:00-2:30 Soul Captive
o 2:30-3:00 Zi-Reigna Tribal Bellydance
o 3:00-4:30 Big Woody
* Lots of fun FREE children’s activities
* Affordable Food and Beverages sold by community NIA's
The fair will showcase the work of diverse and emerging artists from the region to keep alive the legacy of Aaron Douglas, a renowned artist from Topeka who was the leading visual artist of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s.

via facebook.com

This is a free family event! Mark your calendars and come out to support local artists!

Posted via web from michelleleivan's posterous

Fantasic Lavender Products from Kansas by Ingwerson Farms

2009-09-06T10:59:00.001-07:00

Welcome from the Ingwersons

One day "several" years ago, Mary approached Jim with the idea of growing herbs, specifically lavender, as a commercial crop. Jim had always adhered to traditional farming by raising cattle and hay. Trying to keep an open mind, Jim agreed to "give up" a couple acres, thus started the new endeavor. After much research, this became a family project and a true learning experience for all of us. We are a small family, however everyone helps. All products sold are "home made" on the farm.

The farm is located on the bluffs of the Kansas river, a few miles west of Topeka, the capital city of Kansas. While our climate is not what one would consider "native" for lavender, the plants have produced an extremely fragrant crop. We grow eight varieties, however, Grosso and Provence are the main crop.

The farm will be open for individuals to tour again in summer of 2008. The dates are shown under "events".

The products are available: by calling us at: 1-785-478-3246, email at: info@kansaslavender.com, on this WEB site, at the Walking Turtle Studio in Maple Hill, Kansas, at Rustic Treasurers in St Marys, Kansas, or at Old Prairie Town in Topeka, Kansas.

via kansaslavender.com

These folks joined us for First Friday Art Walk at SouthWind Gallery. The treats and products were fantastic! Please visit their website or catch them at the Topeka Farmer's Market and discover a new taste! Awesome!

Posted via web from michelleleivan's posterous

Win a chance to show your work at a loss!: studio 1.1 | Lottery Show 2010 - always read everything!

2009-09-02T06:54:00.001-07:00

Some are more equal than others: Discuss.
Now that equality's currently hot on the political agenda (though any party's ambition for it to happen isn't showing any more enthusiasm than the prayer of the young, pre-sanctity St Augustine: Make me chaste Lord, but not yet), with the degree show period just behind us and the artfair weekend looming ahead under the shadow of the credit crunch, studio1.1 is offering an artist a genuine four-week show for the sum of £10.
There will be no judging of the entries, there will be no limit upon the type or size of work (entrants are encouraged to be as ambitious as possible). To reflect the profoundly chancey way individuals are snatched sometimes apparently at random, from the art-masses by the market and as easily cast aside, we are countering the prevailing hit-and-miss who-you-know and where-you-went-to-college network with a sincerely conceived lottery.
All the artist will need to do is produce the work: studio1.1 will devote the same care to staging the winning show as if we had chosen it personally. All funds will go entirely to subsidising the show and the gallery’s overheads - as an artist-run not-for-profit space studio1.1 has been trying to square the circle of survival and innovation for six years. We do not show commercial art, we have always shown work first and foremost that is both serious and exciting. Our need to survive has never compromised our vision, and we're not planning to start now.
In an artworld part of which is governed by faded traditions, and another part by faddish trends, everything about this show is unpredictable. We don't know what will happen and we're looking forward to finding out. Importantly, this is NOT a competition. It's a way, we hope, to generate new art from sources both familiar and unexpected, encouraging and inspiring as wide a range of responses as possible. At one and the same time an unmatched opportunity for the lucky artist can be a critique of the contemporary art system we all have to operate within or with reference to.
The show will take place as part of the gallery's programme at a time in 2010 negotiated between us and the artist. And in a twist of perverse/reverse pragmatism, it will be entirely up to the lucky artist to reveal or not their status as lottery winner; though what we hope, certainly what we have in mind, is that winning by chance won't be seen as diminishing the show's status one iota. We'd like to think that being selected, at least this once, by fortune could be seen as no more than the lucky winner's due.
The winer will be announced by a celebrity, this time of the gallery's choice, on the Frieze/Zoo weekend of the 19th October (because of course not the least important further facet of the scheme is as an anti-Frieze proposition).
If only it could be everyone.

via naimad.co.uk

Always read the whole thing. While on it's face and at a glance this sounds like a good deal. But read carefully they want to you pay for a lottery ticket and then if you win, they will show your work but if they sell anything ALL of the funds go to the gallery.

"All funds will go entirely to subsidising the show and the gallery’s overheads"

Here is their explaination on another post on LinkedIn:

"studio1.1 in an experiment (both tongue-in-cheek provocation, all-out fund-raiser but also an utterly serious proposal), will be opening the gallery in 2010 to a four-week show by an artist selected entirely by lottery.

"Any artist, in any discipline, able to afford £10, may enter. 100 per cent of funds raised will go towards subsidising the show and the gallery’s running costs. Any artist, in any discipline, able to afford £10, may enter. 100 per cent of funds raised will go towards subsidising the show and the gallery’s running costs."

You have got to be kidding me!

Posted via web from michelleleivan's posterous

A wonderful concept in arts advocacy and co-oping. Could we do this in KS?

2009-09-01T06:58:00.001-07:00

/// Welcome to ArtLinks

ArtLinks is a professional development service for creative practitioners of all disciplines, which is based on a partnership between the Arts Departments of Local Authorities in the counties of Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wicklow and Wexford, The Arts Council / An Comhairle Ealaoin and creative practitioners from these counties.
Artists, Groups, Festivals, Arts Managers, Galleries, Venues who are resident/based in the 5 partner ArtLinks counties can join ArtLinks - IT'S FREE, sign up above!
Not in this area but have news for ArtLinks members? Please contact info@artlinks.ie

ArtLinks Members News:

Members never miss ArtLinks news or Calendar Events, read more here

Follow ArtLinks news on Twitter http://twitter.com/ArtLinks
31 Aug 09: VISUAL ANNOUNCES DETAILS OF OFFICIAL OPENING NIGHT, see news
31 Aug 09: training course designed specifically for ArtLinks Members 'Producing a Short Film' was held on 28 & 29 Aug. Notes from the course will available later this week, see Archive page for details

25 Aug 09: Art Handling for Venues - Download ArtLinks Course notes on best practice on how to hang work for exhibitions compiled by ArtLinks member, Martin Fahy. Thanks Martin! Course organised with Eigse & VISUAL.

25 Aug 09: ArtLinks now has 1256+ members from all Art Fields and is the largest Arts Directory in the South East of Ireland; amateur & professional individuals, groups, galleries, festivals, venues are all listed

12 Aug 09: Myriad Dance, who ArtLinks partnered with earlier this year and now celebrating its tenth year, will now base its administrative office and full programme of Choreography, Professional development and Education & Outreach in the Wexford Opera House.
9 Jul 09: New Public Art.ie website - huge new resource for all the country, sign up/subscribe now!

ArtL!nks e-Newsletter is sent out monthly to several thousand arts practitioners in the South East; anyone with an interest in the Arts, including those not in the 5 partner counties, are free to sign up above.
____________________________________

News: CreativeCareers.ie has an extended service including a Careers Chat Forum, Training | Seminar section, Classifieds section and an RSS feed for the latest jobs and opportunities.

__________________________________________

Help ArtLinks Grow

Encourage other groups, bands or galleries to register, you will help increase the profile of all the Arts activity in the region.

via artlinks.ie

This would be a wonderful type of resource for Kansas art communities to have.

Posted via web from michelleleivan's posterous

Why are artists poor? Self promotion and making money in the new digital economy - Telegraph

2009-08-31T06:29:00.001-07:00

Andrew Keen is @ajkeen on Twitter
Published: 1:36PM BST 25 Aug 2009

Comments 21 | Comment on this article

Advice to all artists: open an account on Twitter to promote your work Photo: REUTERS

It’s bad news, I argued in my 2007 book Cult of the Amateur, a polemic which suggested that the Internet is killing our culture and undermining the livelihood of cultural producers. No, it’s good news, counter the techno-optimists like Jeff Jarvis and Clay Shirky - who argue that the Internet offers creative artists and organizations an opportunity to escape from the sometimes unjust and inefficient control of industrial age mass-media.

Today, more than two years after the publication of Cult of the Amateur, as the destructive pace of technological change in the media business has dramatically increased, the debate about the impact of the Internet on high cultural artists and organizations has also become more urgent. Today, as the old mass media industries of television, newspapers, book publishing, recorded music and movies are being fundamentally restructured by the digital economy, it’s become clear that the early 21st century digital revolution is having as profound an impact upon culture as the mid 19th century industrial revolution.

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Indeed, the relationship between creativity and technology has become such an emotive issue today that a new international political movement, the Pirate Party, has emerged which actively supports the rights of both the cultural producer and consumer against big media conglomerates. Thus, in an interview earlier this month in The Telegraph, Pirate Party UK leader Andrew Robinson underlined his party’s commitment to reforming copyright law in the UK which, he claimed, adds to the “wealth of big business” rather than “benefiting the artist.”

So is Robinson correct, has old-fashioned mass-media really impoverished creative artists? In the spirit of Internet democracy, I took the issue of artistic poverty to Twitter, sending out a tweet asking: why are artists poor?

My Twitter responses extended to everything from lucid one-worders like “oversupply” to philosophical tweets such as “because they live in the moment” to Clay Shirky’s terse and elliptically authoritative “unequal distribution of talent + supply and demand”.

Yet, as many members of my Twitter network reminded me, not all creative artists are poor. Take, for example, Jonathan Littell, the Franco-American author of The Kindly Ones, a 900 page Holocaust novel that won the Grand Prix du roman de l'Académie française and Prix Goncourt in France, and which the News Corp owned Harper Collins paid $1 million for the privilege of exclusively distributing in the American market.

Littell is a good example of a cultural aristocrat in the analog ancien regime, a writer acclaimed by high-end cultural curators for his “talent”. Last February, for example, he was interviewed by Jeffrey Trachtenberg, the book reviewer of The Wall Street Journal. “Will you come to the U.S. to promote your book?” Trachtenberg asked him.

“No,” Littell replied, disdainfully. “I don't do that kind of thing. I don't consider it my job.”

So what, exactly, is the “job” of an artist like Jonathan Littell? Historically, at least since the industrial revolution of the mid 19th century, his commercial function has been to create art that would then be manufactured and sold on the mass-market by his publisher. For the last 150 years, there existed a clear division of labor between a Littell who created art and his mass-market publisher who printed and sold copies of the finished product.

Over the last twenty years, however, an interconnected trinity of technological, cultural and ideological events have revolutionized the mass-market copy economy:

1. The appearance of the Internet as a global platform for the creation and distribution of content.

2. A broad legitimacy crisis of the traditional copy economy, both in terms of its economic and cultural value.

3. The ideological assault on the supposedly “elitist” idea of talent and of the role of cultural gatekeepers in the discovery and development of high-end artists like Jonathan Littell.

Before we get to this revolution against the ancien cultural regime, let’s remind ourselves how the old gatekeepered economy worked. As Clay Shirky tweeted me, the culture business rests on the unequal distribution of talent and of its supply and demand in the marketplace. Like any other economic arrangement, therefore, scarcity and abundance determines price and both the availability and nature of the cultural product.

Critically acclaimed 900 page novels about the Nazis might be rare, but there has never been any scarcity of obscure novelists trying to sell their work into major publishing houses like Harper Collins. But in an industrial economy in which books have to be edited, printed and then shipped to bookstores, it’s literally impossible to publish everything. Thus, an ecosystem of agents, editors, studio owners, record label executives and publishers emerged – cultural gatekeepers of “taste” and “talent” – who, from the commanding heights of their offices in downtown London, Los Angeles and New York City - determined what should and shouldn’t be brought into the marketplace.

And so for every Jonathan Littell with his million dollar deal, there were tens of thousands of unpublished writers. In this copy economy, the work of the vast majority of aspiring writers, musicians or photographers never appeared.

The digital revolution appears to change all this. By replacing physical atoms with digital bits, the Internet undermines the monopoly of these cultural gatekeepers. The Internet’s digital platform enables the creation and storage of infinite content. Whereas the physical printing press limited the publication of books, so the web enables anyone to digitally publish anything they like. The market’s supply of culture, therefore, metamorphosizes from scarcity into cornucopia.

Meanwhile, the old media economy – which wrote those fat cheques for Jonathan Littell - is now in crisis. Newspapers all over America are shutting down, sales of recorded music and DVD’s are in freefall, the global publishing business is shrinking dramatically. The gatekeeper, that traditional curator of culture, is withering away. He/She is being replaced by We: the collective cacophony of self-expression, the cult of democracy, an ecosystem of noise.

The dream of techno-optimists is that the democratic cultural talent on the Internet would replace the old aristocratic talent. As the analog historical chapter closed, they dreamed, so the digital one would begin. So has one cultural economy been seamlessly succeeded by another?

This neat historical narrative makes perfect sense in theory, but it isn’t born out in practice. While the Internet is awash in content, the vast majority of it is either free or stolen. Thus, the most popular new online services are free ones like the Swedish start-up Spotify which provide gratuitous music for consumers unwilling to spend money on content.

The “success” of Spotify symbolizes the death of the old copy economy. The inconvenient truth about the digital revolution is that the online consumer has been so spoilt by the availability of free content on the Internet, that the sale of intellectual content is increasingly the holy grail not only of start-up Silicon Valley entrepreneurs but also of experienced media moguls like News Corp CEO, Rupert Murdoch.

So what becomes of the creative class in the new digital economy? If it’s not possible to sell content online, and if the analog market is also in dramatic decline, then must we conclude that the Internet is actually a catastrophe for creative artists and high cultural organizations?

Yes and no. The irony of the digital commodification of content is that, while it destroys the value of the copy, it is actually adding to the value of physical events. Take, for example, the music industry. While it’s true that CD sales have been dramatically declining for years, the music business is actually experiencing a boom in live concerts. While consumers won’t pay for copies of the work of their favorite bands, they will pay for the privilege of seeing them live. What we seeing here is a paradigmatic shift from the 20th century industrial economy to what economist Will Hutton describes as the 21st century “experiental” one.

Thus, artists like Radiohead, Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails and Prince are all divorcing themselves from their traditional music labels and are, instead, experimenting by giving away their product online as a means of promoting their brands and tickets for their live events. In the old industrial economy, artists played concerts to sell recordings; in the digital economy, artists gives away recordings in order to sell concert tickets.

The same is true for professional writers and journalists. Take, for example, Chris Anderson, Wired magazine editor-in-chief and the author of the new book “Free”, who is giving away digital files of his book for free online but is successfully charging hefty fees for speaking gigs around the world. As with musicians, Anderson is pioneering the new business model of giving away the copy in exchange for being paid to perform in person.

Ironically, for all the insurrectionary rhetoric of the digital revolutionaries, the Internet is actually emerging as nothing more (or less) than a sales and marketing platform for physical products – a medium to create demand for concerts, readings, speeches and seminars.

Thus, Jonathan “I don't consider it my job” Littell is absolutely wrong. For better or worse, the reverse is actually now true. The job of all artists is now self-promotion. In an age in which the old cultural gatekeepers are being swept away, the most pressing challenge of creative artists is to build their own brands. And it’s the Internet which provides creative talent with easy-to-use and cheap tools for their self-promotion.

So where should artists begin? My advice would be to open an account on Twitter. It’s an excellent platform to build one’s brand, acquire a substantial following and publish provocative remarks. To begin, you might pose the question: Why are artists poor?

via telegraph.co.uk

Artists must redefine the art of self-promotion with the advent of the internet, the opportunities abound, the trick is to harness it so that you can actually get some new work done.

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Evening Life Drawing at W.U. Starts August 31st

2009-08-31T05:32:00.001-07:00

Greetings!

We have our new schedule for this year an it starts next Monday, August 31!
The sessions are in Room 205 in the WU Art Building again from 7pm-9pm.
You will notice I haven't announced the model for every session yet but have made progress from my last email. I will be working on the list in the next few weeks. The reminder will go out with more models as I get in contact with them and fit them into our schedule.
Cost of this year will be the same as last year $7.00 for the 2 hr session. We can keep the cost down if we continue to have a good attendance. All of the money goes toward the model fees. So, please pass on the information to your artist friends and have them join us. WU students will be allowed to attend free of charge.
If you have any questions please call me. Contact details below. I hope to see you all there :)

1st Life Drawing Session August 31st.
7-9 pm WU, Room 205, Art Building

Currently Scheduled

Mondays

Aug. 31
Model: Blessing
Sept. 14
Model: Randy
Sept. 28
Model: Blessing
Oct. 12
Oct. 26
Model: Blessing
Nov. 9
Nov. 23
Model: Randy
Dec. 7
Jan. 25
Model: Blessing
Feb. 8
Model: Blessing
Feb. 22
Mar. 8
Model: Blessing
Mar. 22
Apr. 5
Model: Blessing
Apr. 19
May 10
Model: Blessing

The model will be Blessing.

She is about 6 months pregnant and drawing her should be challenging and fun. It isn't every day you get an opportunity to draw the beauty of pregnancy. She was a little shy last semester but she has now conquered that shyness and is excited to be back as our model this year.

I look forward to seeing you all there!

7:00 - 9:00 PM, Washburn University, Room 205, Art Building
Cost for the drawing sessions is currently $7.00.

If you forward this email to your artist friends that are interested in the open life drawing sessions, they can sign up on my email list, there is a special category specifically for this class.
Please submit your images from our sessions this year and I'll feature them in the newsletter. Surely you are getting tired of my pieces. Details for submission below.

Contact Me
phone: 862-0736
work: SouthWind Gallery 10-6 on Mon.- Thurs. 273-5994

email: michelle@leivan.net

Submit your own piece from class for the next email. Send it to me digitally at michelle@leivan.net If I get many of them, I will select one randomly through drawing a name. Then if I don't get any, you will continue to be subjected to my own work. The email is just too plain without some art!

Other contact info:

Twitter: @michelle_leivan

Facebook: Michelle Leivan (will not post information directly to FB about this class, but you can keep in touch with me there.)

via archive.constantcontact.com

Hope to see all of my drawing friends back this year!

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Floral finds on scooter outing

2009-08-30T14:46:00.001-07:00

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Michelle Leivan - LinkedIn

2009-08-28T17:05:00.001-07:00

Michelle Leivan’s Summary

Creative Expert with a not so ordinary skill set that includes conceptual problem solving, management, sales, fine art, design, graphics, web, print and social media. Open to a challenging career that taps the entirety of my skills.

Michelle Leivan’s Specialties:

accounts receivable, adobe photoshop, advertising, art, books, business intelligence, business operations, business plans, color, consulting, customer relations, database administration, design, email, fine art, framing, graphics software, human resources, illustrator, layout design, logo design, macintosh, marketing, mascot, newsletters, page, painting, pre-press production, publicity, quark, sales, scanners, strategic planning, web site production,

via linkedin.com

I'm now on LinkedIn!

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Take Kansas Home dot com!: Michelle Leivan Original Paintings

2009-08-27T20:07:00.001-07:00

Take Kansas Home!

TakeKansasHome.com was created through a public-private partnership between the Kansas Department of Commerce Travel and Tourism Division and Free Bird Business Solutions. The goal of this venture is to feature Kansas culture as it is represented in the fine artisan goods produced in our state. Kansas artists offer a host of wonderful handcrafted items, from specialty foods, to artwork, crafts and glassware.
You can find specially selected 8x10 prints, ceramic art tile sets, wine charm sets, note card sets and my Stroke of Genius Game.
http://www.TakeKansasHome.com Go check it out! Find out more about the site, and

do a search for my name!

via michelleleivan.com

Go and check out this cool Kansas Site.

Posted via web from michelleleivanoriginals's posterous

Wildflower Kansas Stemware Charms by LeivanOriginals on Etsy

2009-08-22T19:00:00.001-07:00

via etsy.com

Kansas romance in its finest form can be found with this set of six stemware charms featuring a print of a wildflower painting from the Kansas Wildflower Series, handmade, dated and signed by artist Michelle Leivan. Each set is a work of art, slight variations in size and color are to be expected.

Posted via web from michelleleivanoriginals's posterous

Dillon Football

2009-08-22T10:10:00.001-07:00

Posted via web from michelleleivan's posterous

Aaron Douglas Art Fair on WIBW's News at 4 today

2009-08-21T05:22:00.001-07:00

Betty Wright and I will be interviewed on WIBW 4:00 news with Ralph Hipp today. We will talk about our Call to Artists with a deadline of August 28th. AS well as all the fun things to expect at the Fair.
Posted via web from michelleleivan's posterous

4th Annual Aaron Douglas Art Fair
Don’t miss out on this great family event!

Mark your calendars for the 4th Annual Aaron Douglas Art Fair coming this fall on Saturday, September 26, 2009 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Aaron Douglas Art Park. This year’s fair will be bigger than ever, featuring:

Over 30 local artist exhibiting original artwork in a variety of mediums
"Kansas Silkers" will be doing demonstrations of their art process
Live musical entertainment

11:00-12:30 Irving Curtis Quartet

12:30-1:00 Belly Dance Topeka featuring Hathor's Hips Belly
Dance Troupe

1:00-2:30 Soul Captive

2:30-3:00 Zi-Reigna Tribal Bellydance

3:00-4:30 Big Woody

Lots of fun FREE children’s activities
Affordable Food and Beverages sold by community NIA's

The fair will showcase the work of diverse and emerging artists from the region to keep alive the legacy of Aaron Douglas, a renowned artist from Topeka who was the leading visual artist of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s.

Initiated in 2006 by the Topeka TurnAround Team, the Aaron Douglas Art Fair simultaneously celebrates the memory of Douglas, nurtures up-and-coming artists from all walks of life, and provides a fun and creative environment for residents of Topeka and beyond.

Download this year's poster! (3.31mb)
via aarondouglasartfair.com

TakeKansasHome - Kansas Made Products

2009-08-20T20:22:00.001-07:00

via takekansashome.com

Here you can find specially selected prints, wine charm sets, card sets, ceramic tile coasters and the Stroke of Genius Game.

Posted via web from michelleleivan's posterous

	11:00-12:30	Irving Curtis Quartet
	12:30-1:00	Belly Dance Topeka featuring Hathor's Hips Belly Dance Troupe
	1:00-2:30	Soul Captive
	2:30-3:00	Zi-Reigna Tribal Bellydance
	3:00-4:30	Big Woody