ArtProMotivate

David McGee - American Realist Painter

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 14:35:00 +0000

David McGee
United States, Ohio

Mediums: Graphite, pastel, colored pencil, oil, acrylic

Style: realist

Favorite Quote: "The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different outcome"

Favorite Book: Early History

Favorite Movie: Last of the Mohegans

The Mercurial Art of Rural Artist Cierra G. Rowe

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 16:03:00 +0000

Cierra G. Rowe

Kentucky, United States

Medium: Acrylic Paint

Styles: Expressionism, Impressionism, Abstract

'The Existence of God' © Cierra Rowe --- Search all you want. Gain what you may. An enigma as ancient as night and day. It seems that the search for God is endless. It seems that the devotion to God is confounding. Painted on 14 x 11 inch canvas panel, using acrylic paint. Still available.

Favorite Quotes:
''Anybody can become angry, that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way -that is not within everybody's power and is not easy.'' -Aristotle

''Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.'' - Mark Twain

''If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.'' - Vincent Van Gogh
Read more »

How to Sell Art Online and Make a Living Out of It

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 08:23:00 +0000

As artists, we seldom seek pastures that are confined to the habitual minds. We wander and gaze through the morbid paths that unfolds, exploring potential realms filled with illusions, realities, and fantasies.

The best part of being an artist is that we create our on wicked realities. The canvas and stories that we create have shown enormous potential among avid art lovers. The dynamic world craves for creative artworks. Artworks that could seed and nurture healthy thoughts, inspire people, help connect with the universe, and so on.

Canvas Full of Emotions - Now it's Time your Creativity put a Smile on your Face

If you are one of those guys who is struck with the higher calling of creativity? I write this article with due consideration, your passion for art is what drives you, but don’t let the passion took a swing at your quality of life.

Regardless of what drives you forward, in the physical world, you are responsible to fulfil certain tasks. It is important that your passion help you attain financial stability, and promises you a certain standard of living. The predominant reason why an artist fails is that he/ she lacks the wit to create a commercial model for the canvas they create. Let your creativity bring prosperity and happiness to your family.

You may be the finest of all, you may have the best artwork. If the world fails to notice your gifts, what a defeat.

Let me help you build a commercial model leveraging the digital technologies made available to us.
Read more »

Guidance and Wisdom from 10 Amazing Artists

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 13:48:00 +0000

For the artist spotlight feature here, the final question is "What advice would you have for emerging artists?"

We ask this because we know that artists are the ones who can answer this question honestly and with wisdom. We are the ones who have struggled both with ourselves, and with getting our work out there to the masses. When asked, we have no trouble giving sound guidance and wisdom, backed by experience.

So, with that in mind, we present to you 10 artists who have shared their advice and wisdom for emerging artists.

Carla Tucker

Being an emerging artist myself, one lesson I’ve learnt recently is art is not just about the end result. It’s a journey, so enjoy the process. Another lesson is to not over think it. When a child draws a picture, they don’t think about it. They just draw. Over time, we lose that ability and we focus on perfection. It not only takes away the fun in creating art, it can obstruct it.
Read more »

Lenora Palacios - Painted Mosaics - A Thousand Easy Pieces

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 16:44:00 +0000

Lenora Palacios
Texas, USA

Medium: acrylic glazes

Style: painted mosaics

Favorite Book: American Made by Shylah Boyd

Favorite Movie: Casino

Rising Sun © Lenora Palacios

Introduction:

In life we all have things we need to fix, pieces of ourselves we give up whether for love, money or fame. We are all different but all the same. When you go back and try and put all the pieces together and fix everything you've ever done you will be surprised at how kindly people truly perceive you. Even though you thought you were the worst person in the world, you forgive and start loving yourself. It brings you to a place where you don't remember the things you thought were so bad. Love and accept yourself - then the pieces become memories and stories you can share with other people. That's how I would describe my world - it's the brokenness of it that I find the most beautiful - strength and feeling that I portray.
Read more »

Christie Shinn - Atmospheric Storytelling through Calligraphic Watercolor

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 07:34:00 +0000

Christie Shinn
Los Angeles, CA USA

Mediums: digital, pen, paper, watercolor
Style: Calligraphic Watercolor inspired by manga and Dali
Creative Genres: Illustration, Graphic Design, and Comic Art

Favorite Books: Jane Eyre, Daddy Long-Legs, Dear Enemy, The Story of the Eye
Favorite Movies: My Sassy Girl, Same Time Next Year, Terminator 1 and 2, Aliens

I am an illustrator, comic artist, and graphic designer in Los Angeles. I would describe my style is ‘calligraphic watercolor’. I have published a ‘kid’s book for adults’ called “Personal Monsters: A Compendium of Monstrosities of Personality” of which described different monsters and personal demons that I have encountered in my professional and personal life, complete with illustrations of said monsters. It sold out at Comic-Con 2015 and is currently distributed through Amazon. I am the artist and writer of “Sepulchre” a tale of revenge by a woman whose voice is stolen by her husband and that is available monthly at DriveThruComics.com in a digital format. I will be publishing the graphic novel of it soon. For my last show, I participated in ‘VS’ the juried collaborative show in 2015 with fellow LAAA member Deborah Kashinski with our 3D assemblage, “The Empress/Spring Serape Spirit”.

Read more »

11 Inspired Spiritual Paintings from Artists

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 05:21:00 +0000

Spirituality and art are intrinsically linked. True art can be viewed as a spiritual practice because it is linked to inspiration and intuition, both of which are spiritual in nature.

One of the main aspects of spirituality is that of creation. At any one moment, our thoughts create our circumstance and reality. In other words, we are creating in our minds and subconscious all the time, through what we project into this world, and how we react to it.

Art is simply a physical manifestation of that spiritual side of ourselves, and reflects such things as discernment, beauty, perseverance, patience, honesty and generosity.

In the past, we have featured several artists who have used art and spirituality hand in hand, as a reflection of their spiritual journey. Some of these are listed below, along with their spiritual paintings and artworks.

Reina Cottier

Heart, Soul, Whole
Reina Cottier

"Movement, cosmos, love, light, growth, energy, balance, nature, the big picture...all that 'New Agey' type stuff ;)"
Read more »

Why Some Artists are not as Popular as Others

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 05:18:00 +0000

I know artists who post their artworks in countless places, like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more, but rarely sell anything, or even get followers. Then, there are others who do the same, and have no trouble selling any piece.

Both may be using the exact same amount of energy, with differing results. What makes them different? What makes one artist more popular than the other?

Of course, there may be various reasons, and I'm talking about some of these here - along with plenty of sound advice.

Painting by Michael Gaudet
Read more »

How to Get Exclusive Ad Free Access to our Best Content

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 03:30:00 +0000

As stated in the previous post, Many Artists are Making a Good Living on Patreon, Artpromotivate now has its own Patreon page!

Please join here to get exclusive access to ad-free posts, early content and more: APM on Patreon

Eric Armusik - Classical Figurative Painter - An Old Soul

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 23:25:00 +0000

Eric Armusik
Visual Artist / Painter
Hamburg, Pennsylvania, USA

Self Portrait on Fire
© Eric Armusik
10 x 12”
Oil on Birch
2015

Mediums: Oil paint, charcoal
Style: Classical Figurative Painting / Realism / Representational Art

Favorite Quote: "God will not have his work made manifest by cowards." Emerson

Favorite Books:

(Essay) Self-Reliance by Ralph Waldo Emerson
How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
Rape of the Masters by Roger Kimball

Favorite Movies: Braveheart, Gladiator, Godfather, Shawshank Redemption, Cashback, Local Color, Heat, 300, The Fountain

Read more »

Who is Banksy? Does it Matter if we Know?

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 08:19:00 +0000

Did you hear about the Banksy print that self-destructed not long ago? Yeah, I know - old news!

The print was sold at an auction, then automatically shredded while people looked on in amazement. It instantly made the national news all around the world.

This news got me thinking. Banksy is someone I do not follow, but keep hearing about anyway.

His works often make a blatant statement on social conditions - something that has gotten him countless fans amongst the common people. His street art and other works always get people talking.

But WHO is Banksy? The amazing thing is that only a small number of people knows! Does he or she even exist? Could this be some scheme orchestrated by a group of people - to both make huge sums of money and manipulate the public?

Read more »

Aaron Wintrich - Art For A Dream

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 02:16:00 +0000

Aaron Wintrich
USA Florida

Mediums: Mixed media
Favorite Quote: “Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.” -Socrates
Favorite Book: The Bhagavad Gita

The Apparent and Yet Difficult Choices Found in Spatial Reasoning

Style: I have developed a collaborative style using mixed media. I use elements of the most influential Avant Garde artists in my art to illustrate the story of art history. From the brushstrokes of the impressionists, the colors on the post-impressionists, the mixed media of Picasso and the color theory of Matisse, to the theme of surrealism and the application of acrylic paint of the contemporary artists like Warhol and Hockney, every single element of my art is a reference to each of these time periods and tells the story of art history.

Read more »

Is Facebook Pages any Good for Promoting Art Anymore?

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 23:03:00 +0000

I have wrote several articles on Facebook pages in the past, and have had great success with it in promoting this website, other artists and my own art. I can't, with a clear conscience, recommend it anymore.

Here are just a couple past articles:

Facebook to Promote Art
How to Get Likes for Facebook Pages

Back when Facebook pages started, Facebook promoted its service as a free business page. It was easy to get likes, and most of those people saw what I posted, and therefore kept returning. Several large pages sprung up, and the pages feature became intensely popular.

Then, it all started to go downhill once Facebook introduced paid promotions. According to Facebook, this was a way for business owners to boost their pages and extend their post reach - and let more people see their pages. Nowadays, posts seem to be not seen at all, unless it is paid for or viewed by a returning visitor to the page. They don't seem to show up in followers news feeds at all!

Recently, I have posted several times to the Artpromotivate Facebook page. There might be an impression here and there, but no visitors at all.

Read more »

What Artists Find Interesting Besides Creating Art

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 23:53:00 +0000

Hundreds of artists have been featured at Artpromotivate in the past. This service will of course continue to be free. For those who desire further promotions from this website, we now offer very affordable extra promotions for you at our Patreon page. This is one of the best ways you can help grow this website and community, and at the same time receive a boost to your online presence.

Our free artist spotlight may be found here: Artist Spotlight

This post features 10 artists who have already been featured here. We post lists like this to show some extra gratitude to the artists who submit us their spotlights, and to further promote good talent.

The featured question this time is: "Please tell us something interesting in your life, other than art".

Here are the answers from the artist themselves, along with a link to their respective spotlights.
Read more »

Many Artists are Making a Good Living Using Patreon

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 02:11:00 +0000

During my absence from writing here (I plan on letting you know more about what I have been up to sometime), I've noticed that many artists are making a whole lot of money from a relatively new site called Patreon. I was introduced to Patreon a couple years ago, and planned on diving into it way before now, but life circumstances got in the way. Now that I have returned, I plan on writing a series of articles involving Patreon and how it can help creative people earn a sustainable income.

Patreon is based on a very simple tiered reward system, reminiscent of something like Kickstarter or Gofundme. Artists can simply offer perks for each level. For example, exclusive membership in a Discord chatroom, newsletter membership, exclusive video tutorials, podcasts and much more. Members have already come up with a whole slew of creative and ingenious ideas, and I plan on sharing some of these in a future post.

One of the main benefits of joining Patreon is that it helps to give an already established following a way of supporting the artist. Even if you do not yet have a good following, it could be one of the things that helps you get there. The whole system is easy to learn, and if you offer perks you like spending time doing, can be very enjoyable as well.

I would like to introduce you to Artpromotivate's own new Patreon page. If you appreciate what we are doing with this site, and would like to support it's growth and expansion, this is a great way of doing so! Our new official Patreon can be found here: Artpromotivate on Patreon

Read more »

Artist Interview - Looking Into The Mind's Eye Of Jeanette M. Jai Davis-Spillman

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 03:14:00 +0000

Jeanette M. Jai Davis-Spillman

Nickname: JaeNet

USA

Mediums: Soft chalk pastels, pencils, color pencils, and acrylic paints are just some of the mediums I enjoy using when creating my artwork.

Style: I don't really have one particular style for the works I create. My works are based on how and what I feel at the time.

Favorite Quotes: “I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.” and “I wish they would only take me as I am.” - VincentVan Gogh

“There is no must in art because art is free.” - Wassily Kandinsky

Favorite Movies: The Ward - John Carpenter, Hop - Tim Hill, Saw - James Wan, Date Night - Shawn Levy. These are just a few of my favorite movies.

Memory. Beaver Lake in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. © Jeanette M. Jai Davis-Spillman

I have a gift and with that gift I am able to create art. I have always had a passion for art. I love to freely express myself through my pieces. My artworks range from simple designs to more detailed and in-depth pieces. I release my thoughts and feelings through my artwork. I am attempting to find a fun way to deal with thoughts in my head and my wide array of moods. I explore and challenge the ramblings of my mind by channeling it into my work.

88 Positive Affirmations for Artists and Creative People

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 23:01:00 +0000

So, you came here looking for positive affirmations for artists? Well you came to the right place! This page is filled with plenty of positive affirmations for creative people (and anyone else for that matter).

Affirmations are short sayings and bits of wisdom which affirm a positive aspiration. The belief is that by looking at them and reading them over and over (sometimes daily), we can come to absorb them into our belief system (and subconscious) - after a period of time. Of course, purging the negative beliefs is important too - so make sure you take the time to do so. As you rid yourself of those pesky negative beliefs, please replace them with these positive affirmations for artists:
Read more »

How I Used Art as Therapy to Cope With Anxiety and Depression

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 01:25:00 +0000

I have dealt with debilitating bouts of anxiety and depression many times throughout my life on this earth. I also know many artists who have went through, or are currently experiencing the same. I could talk about what it felt like and thoughts that ran through my mind during these mental episodes, but I would rather not go there, at least not at this moment.

I have found that the past only lives in the mind and it is my attitude toward it that can change it.

It is up to me how I want to perceive what has happened there.

I can look upon a negative event as something which has happened for me or against me.

Artwork by Betsy Frahm

For example, when I think about my childhood, I sometimes think of my neglectful and sometimes abusive parents. They learned from their mistakes later in life, but my mental scars have lingered. My natural inclination has always been anger for what they put me through. During these bouts of depression and anxiety I felt the feelings of that child in the present, just as I had actually returned there.

Read more »

How to Stay Positive as an Artist and Stay Away from Negativity

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Sun, 02 Dec 2018 01:12:00 +0000

How does one stay positive in this modern, hectic world, especially when there's so much negativity around us?

All one has to do is turn on the news to be spouted with negative events and occurrences. Social media (especially Facebook) is full of negativity, so much so that I have often had to stay away from it for awhile.

Nowadays, I try to limit my use to just sharing an artwork here or there, or just sharing a positive meme every now and then.

Create What you Love

Creating art specially designed to sell is understandable, especially if you are a commercial artist working with a designing firm. Even traditional artists often need to create what's popular to sell a piece here and there, while their regular line of work may not be so popular. But, speaking from experience, it can be very difficult to maintain a love for creating art if you do not love what you are creating.

Being a very self-critical person, I often ask myself, "Do I really love what I'm painting". I don't always say "yes", but realize that I might not know the answer anyway if I did not start the painting in the first place. In this way, I am constantly learning what I like and dislike - which is part of my own personal journey of "knowing oneself". Plus, I know that even if I don't like it, someone else might. Also, it's possible to love the act of creating art, and not necessarily the subject matter. Many artists, including myself, just enjoy being in "the zone" - that meditative state where an artist blocks out the outside world and is engrossed in the act of creation.
Read more »

Marie Lantz - The Visual Ramblings of a Lost Soul

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 22:43:00 +0000

Marie Lantz

United States of America

Mediums: Acrylic Paints, Pencils, Pens

Favorite Quote: Never apologize; it's a sign of weakness- Gibbs (NCIS)

Favorite Book: The Dexter Series by Jeff Lindsey,

Favorite Movies: Sherlock Holmes, Ironman, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Labyrinth, The Princess Bride

My art is heavily influenced by pop art, fantasy art, and nature. A lot of my art features birds, flowers; anything really nature influenced. I love the idea of added a "Mother Nature" concept into my pieces.

I love to use bright, vivid colors because it reflects my personality. I'm that girl that loves unicorns and sparkly things. It's amazing because I'm 25 and I still love these things. Beyond that, I draw or paint what I want. I've learned that you have to or you lose creativity and become this zombie artist trying to fit in with the mainstream popular art. I incorporate what I like into my art. My paintings are more abstract, which allows me to lose myself in my work; while my drawings are intensely detailed and specific. It's like I have two artistic personalities.
Read more »

Michael Owens Spotlight - Freedom’s Painter

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 02:01:00 +0000

Michael Owens

State of Georgia, USA

Mediums: Oil Painting, Mixed Media, Collage

Style: Semi realist, post- modern, political

Favorite Quote: “Injustice anywhere is threat to justice everywhere” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Favorite Book: The Autobiography of Malcom X, Roots

Favorite Movies: Pulp Fiction, Sweet Sweetback’s Badass Song

Hello, my name is Michael Owens. I'm a forty nine year old African American contemporary artist. Since childhood social/ political art has been my favorite. As a small child I remember reading an illustrated storybook about the life of the abolitionist Frederick Douglass. I have no idea where it came from nor could I locate it now, but I can’t tell you how much that book helped to inspire a love of history and art that survives to this day. In those pages I could feel his thirst for knowledge and his love of freedom, the two things that drive my work today. However politics is not the only thing that inspires me. I find inspiration in my family, my community, people I’ve met and places I’ve been. My artistic heroes include well known contemporary African American artists like Kehinde Wiley, Michael Ray Charles, and Kara Walker as well as historical political artists like David Alfaro Siqueiros, Kerry James Marshall, Jacob Lawrence and Faith Ringgold.
Read more »

Surviving as an Artist in a Small Town

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 23:13:00 +0000

The Fifth Newfoundlander
oil on canvas
24x30"
2015
By Graham Matthews

Artists living in cities and larger centres have many advantages over artists abiding in small towns and isolated villages. Art galleries often are commonplace in urban areas. There are also more opportunities for artists, such as residencies, art grants, art associations, art clubs, studio space and artist events. More artists in these locations means a better chance of of meeting other artists, gallery owners and curators. Of course, the biggest benefit of living in a city is access to a larger group of regular art buyers and patrons.
Read more »

Viral Artist Memes about Supporting Artists and Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 00:06:00 +0000

Support Independent Artists
If You Like It, Buy It
281 likes, 431 shares

Memes are very popular at social networks and can be one of the best ways of attracting people to social profiles. Personally, I have proven this fact many times at our Facebook page for Artpromotivate. Likes and shares for memes are the most liked, shared and commented on. Likes for the page also increases right after posting a meme. Some memes have even gone viral.

Also check out this recent post: Funny Art Memes

Below I share some of the most popular art promotion and inspiration memes at our Facebook page, and give some of the like and share counts.

Read more »

8 Practical Things that Can Help Artists Sell Art

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Sat, 05 Nov 2016 23:36:00 +0000

Many artists do not even give a thought to whether an artwork will sell, while creating it.

For myself, the thought doesn't even enter my mind during the creative process.

But if we are hoping to sell artworks at all, it is very important to spend a chunk of time doing practical things to ensure our art sells.

Without some of these, our artworks will just sit at home or in our studios and not be seen by anyone.

As time is of the essence for many artists, and it can be difficult to focus on both marketing and creating art, I usually recommend setting aside time for exclusively promoting art, aside from your studio time.

Please find advice in this area here: Time Management Tips for Artists

Places to Buy Oil Paint Online

noreply@blogger.com (Graham Matthews) — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 21:31:00 +0000

Searching online for oil paint, it's easy to get overwhelmed with all the options available. To help you in searching,

I decided to write this post to list my favorite places to buy oil paint online.

Oil paint is my favorite medium for painting. I've tried other mediums such as acrylic, watercolor and gouache, but I always return to it.

When I'm running out, I always get edgy. I sometimes like searching online for great deals.(I found one on Ebay, detailed in this post: How to Use Ebay to Find Great Deals on Art Supplies) By the way, there is no art supply store where I live, so I have to do all my shopping for art materials on the internet.

Here is a simple tip I should add here. If you are searching for art materials on Google, always add where you live. For example: "art supply Canada"

Using a location locally, you will not have to pay customs fees, and the package will be shipped quicker and with cheaper postage.

What follows is a list of my favorite online art suppliers:
Read more »