The One Million Masterpiece News

Help Needed

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:29:33 +0000

OMM has been around for 6 years now, and if you were involved from the start then you will know that it is a lot quieter than it used to be.

Recently the server crashed and it took more than a week of work to restore the files, software and reconfigure the apps so that the drawing tools work.

I am the only active admin left now on this site - and unfortunately I don't really have the time to do things like:

Remove Spam
Promote the site / get members
Post news
Manage the forums

So... I love this website and I still spend time maintaining it - i.e. keeping it 100% operational. But... if anyone could help with the tasks above, that would really be fantastic. We can still reach a million - but we will need help.

This website is 100% non-profit - in fact it is very much loss-making... So I'm relying on getting some more volunteers, admins, promoters and spam-filterers on board.

To get involved, please sent an email to:

Thanks

Eamonn

OMM back online after major server problems

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 01:59:03 +0000

You might have noticed that we have been experiencing some technical problems in recent weeks. This has now been resolved - everything is as it was

Happy drawing!

Mouse Wheel now works on Viewer Page

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 19:50:01 +0100

This is an improvement which I'd be meaning to add to OMM since around 2006 - and today I finally added it! Changes to OMM don't happen as quickly as they used to - but we are still here. If you are still around too then drop me a note - it would be nice to see who is still interested.

Best of OMM - A Brand New Poster Now for Sale!

Sun, 26 Dec 2010 01:38:53 +0000

We are pleased to announce a brand new poster which is available for sale through DeviantArt! Our poster contains 450 unique artworks from the Million Masterpiece, created by artists from more than 50 countries worldwide. We have chosen the most popular artworks, old and new, all the way from the project's inception (think WAY back!) until December 2010.

2010 Drawing Competition - Take Part Today!

Thu, 30 Sep 2010 12:46:49 +0100

We would like to announce a new competition for artists at Million Masterpiece! This competition is open to anyone who is a member of (or wishes to join) Million Masterpiece and the result will be announced on January 1st, 2011. There are not many rules in this competition - we have summarised them below:

1) You can draw anything you like. There is no theme to this competition - so feel free to create anything.

2) The competition will be judged by a panel of artists at Million Masterpiece.

3) The prize is:

A free Supporter membership on Million Masterpiece.
The glory of winning! You will also have your drawing featured on the fabulous Million Masterpiece homepage, and a front-page news item featuring your work.

5) Only drawings created and completed between 30th September 2010 and 31st December 2010 inclusive are eligible.

4) To enter the competition, please create your drawing using our drawing tools. If you are not a member you can register here. Once you have completed your drawing (which can be your default or a gallery picture) you need to post a comment below to be officially included in the competition. Please state clearly which drawing(s) you wish to enter if you have more than one.

We look forward to seeing your amazing artwork soon!

To enter the competition, post a comment below!

Spotlight: Jo Vickers

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:37:34 +0000

Naturally, everyone has their favourites on the OMM. The pictures which make you say "wow" every time you see them; the pictures which make you click the "replay" button just to see the process in which certain amazing pieces of art are created.

Not only has Jo Vickers managed to make hundreds of people do that with her own pictures, she has also come up with a truly ingenuous way to give tribute to the squares which make up her own all time favourites.

Splitting up a big square into thirty-six smaller squares, she has managed to replicate her favourite squares with painstaking detail. Jo's tribute square, "Too Many Favourites," is also her favourite square in her gallery; purely because it was the square she most enjoyed doing. "There's so much variety on the site and it's been very interesting to try to recreate all the different styles in miniature," she says. "I've loved reading how pleased people have been to see their squares included too. I only have a few squares left to fill on it, and I'm struggling to choose!"

When asked why she thinks her contribution to the OMM project is so popular, after some thought, she modestly puts it down to not her artistic ability which is obviously considerable, but the time she spends on her squares. "People admire the dedication even if they've got better things to do with their own time!"

Joining after she stumbled upon the OMM after googling 'masterpieces', Jo "loved the idea of being part of such a large art project," and quickly became hooked on the OMM. She testifies to this saying, "I was looking for reference pictures for a miniature art gallery I was making. Finding this site slowed down the progress a fair bit!" "Everything about it just appealed to me... the community is so positive and reading all the lovely comments from people never fails to give me a boost."

Jo is not only a zealous participator in OMM, she also exercises her artistic talent outside of the OMM, doing art and craft in her spare time, making miniatures, greeting cards and paintings, sometimes taking commissions but also simply using her talent to brighten up her walls.

The OMM, she says, "inspired me to broaden my artistic horizons."
Drawing with a computer gave her the confidence to explore art and different mediums.
Originally Jo had only wanted to paint for a living but now she thinks she would find it "too reclusive" and wants to try a more expressive style, away from her customary meticulous and planned style of art. "I'd like to loosen up a bit!" she says.
Jo laughingly admits to being a "control freak" when it comes to her artwork.
She first starts by making the outlines of what she wants to portray as accurate as possible.
Throughout the whole process she makes use of the undo tool excessively, redoing all the things she considers imperfections. She admits: "It's obsessive but it works for me!"

What inspires this artist to create the works of art that are loved by so many in this community? Basically anything that catches her eye. Jo uses reference pictures; photos, paintings and patterns; anything that struck her as being something she "wanted to either recreate or develop into something else."

Jo sees OMM not only as a project raising money for a worthy cause but also as something that provides people with "something fun to do and somewhere to talk to people with similar interests." She believes OMM will keep going after the final image is taken. Her message to the OMM community is, "keep on drawing, inviting friends and keeping the community active, but don't forget the charitable aspect of the project. If you haven't already become a donor, do it now! Think of it as buying an extra Christmas present."

The OMM is a great mix of unique and interesting art being put to good use and Jo's recognition of this makes her work all the more valuable to the OMM community. Thank you Jo for your avid involvement in OMM and for bringing something truly remarkable to this community!

Sarah Edwards and Stacey Dirickson

Artist Spotlight: Alex Holt

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:28:47 +0000

Once again, we have chosen another great artist from The One Million Masterpiece to spotlight!

This time it's Alex Holt, currently in his final year of Game Art Design at De Montfort University in Leicester, UK, Alex has a gallery full of amazing images such as �Out of Time� and �Whatever Knows Fear�,� which admittedly is two of my favourites, but I think we can agree all of his images are truly amazing!

In an interview we asked what his favourite image in his gallery was, Alex said, �I'm going to go with 'Happy Memories', which admittedly feels like a slight cop out. I have a sense of nostalgia about the photo it is based upon, which isn't really a good reason in itself, but in a lot of ways I think it has more potential - most of the other pictures are just me painting something I thought looked cool, whereas that one is just a bit more emotional and human.�

Browsing through his gallery, it leads us to wonder, �What inspires his work?� and �How does he go about creating a new piece?�

As for inspiration, he says, �It changes constantly, I can just be walking somewhere and I'll see something that gives me a great idea entirely unexpectedly. I must admit that wildlife is probably the biggest inspiration as far as art is concerned. I can be reading something or watching a documentary and just see something that I could never have come up with if I'd tried, it's a little humbling, but very definitely inspiring.�

So how does he go about creating a new piece? �It depends on the square, some are me having a clear idea (or in one case, a specific image to replicate) of what I want, in which case I block it out and then just being refining things from there, but I sometimes just have some a vague idea, so I just pick a colour and start drawing and see what happens from there.�

Alex decided to join after reading an article about The OMM in ImagineFX magazine. He said, "Once I'd taken a look at the site I really couldn't think of any reason not to join, it's doing art AND it's for a good cause, I didn't need any more convincing than that." In addition, we asked Alex if he has benefited in any way from joining the project, �I joined when I was pretty new to digital art, so it definitely was a massive help in just getting the basics of it all down, and understanding how colour works in a computer. There is also the fact that this site has given me my first ever-published work in the form of the calendars, which gave me a massive morale boost when I found out - particularly being on the cover of the 2008 calendar, I was speechless for a long time after I found out!�

When we asked Alex what he thought the most important goal of the project is his response was �Any goal can be important, the charity side of everything is the easy candidate of course, all the charities supported here are definitely deserving of all support and promotion that this site brings them. Just as much though, if this site serves as a way of people meeting who would not otherwise, or a way of people getting into art, who am I to say that that is less important? As for will it succeed, I think it already has, the question is only how much more will it do so.�

Alex also has what I think is a very important message for the members of the OMM and for those who may be thinking about joining. "People shouldn't think 'I can't do art' - everyone has the potential to be artistic if they want to: just experiment, practice and look for advice if you want it. The biggest thing for artists to learn is to really look at the thing you want to draw and don't make assumptions. When you are little you might think elephants are blue, then later you get shown they are grey. But if you *really* look they are the colours of the mud they've been rolling in, the light that shines on them, the shadow they cast and a dozen other things. Its just remembering to look and once you see that, everything else will just be so much easier."

Stacey Dirickson and Sarah Edwards

THIS PLACE CALLED POETRY

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 02:57:48 +0000

WritersCorps 15th Anniversary Exhibition

November 7, 2008 January 24, 2009

Artist Reception:

Thursday, November 13, 5:30-7:30pm

Lead Artists: Katharine Gin and Kjell Nordeson

Poets: Jorge Aburto, Robin Black, Antonio Caceres, Dubb, Eric Foster, Shahid Minapara, Antoinette Osborne, Indiana Pehlivanova, Sandra Pulido, Lateefah Simon and Annie Yu

Design Team: Arienne Aquino (graphic designer), Liz Ogbu (architect), Matthew Toon (builder), Deanna VanBuren (architect), and Annie Yu (collage artist)

In celebration of its 15th Anniversary, WritersCorps, a project of the San Francisco Arts Commission, presents This Place Called Poetry. For this exhibition multimedia artist Katharine Gin and sound artist Kjell Nordeson have created a comprehensive installation highlighting 11 young writers who have developed their poetic voices in the WritersCorps program.

This Place Called Poetry is a presentation of art, film and interactive projects designed to tell the stories of young people finding and claiming their place here in San Francisco. For the past year, Gin and Nordeson worked with select writers to create a bold collection of works. They also collaborated with an exceptional design team to transform the entire Gallery into a site of multiple destinations." Visitors are invited to appreciate and engage with the youths poetry and life stories by viewing short films, listening to audio recordings, responding to writing prompts, and even exhibit their own writing. Each destination allows visitors to listen, view and at times even touch the words of these young writers. This Place Called Poetry will give visitors a rich understanding of the creative journeys taken by young San Francisco writers.

Hope You can make it to San Francisco

Amira

http://www.amira.redbubble.com/

GOTHIC ART BELGRAVIA

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:33:44 +0100

Magdalena Rutkowska announces Gothic Art Belgravia exhibitionEaton Terrace Gallery, 2- 8 NovemberRenowned artist and exhibition entrepreneur Magdalena Rutkowska has turned to Gothic art to inspire her latest collection. With a hand-picked group of artists, she plans to turn the exclusive Eaton Terrace Gallery into a palace to the art of Gothic, in all its manifestations.Gothic has come to mean dark and morbid, but originally the flowering of Gothic art, in the mid 12th century, was an attempt to leave the Dark Ages behind and usher in a new era of confidence, abundance and prosperity. By the end of the Gothic phase, two centuries later, art had indeed taken on darker resonances, though it combined these increasingly with the beginnings of Renaissance use of perspective and 'modern' techniques. In her exhibition, Magdalena has chosen artists who represent every nuance of the Gothic ideal and brought them together to show at the newly refurbished Eaton Terrace Gallery, five minutes from Sloane Square. By turns theatrical, violent, challenging, beautiful or just plain scary, the exhibition plans to be true to the spirit of Gothic, and provide an experience which will never be less than thought-provoking.The wonderful Eaton Terrace premises, full of light and warmth, will be given a darker twist during the exhibition, and there will be specially themed cocktails during the press view. The gallery will be open to the public from, 10am - 5pm. For more information, contact Magdalena on exhibit@eclusier.comor Eaton Terrace Gallery, 40 Eaton Terrace, London SW1W 8TS�� http://www.eclusier.com/artbelgravia/gothic/

Exhibition: Comma

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:15:02 +0100

Comma is an exploration into the continuation and repetitive nature ofthought and physical process within our lives, bridging gaps betweendifferences and making connections through communication and art.

Every year Whitecliffe College requires Year 3 Bachelor of Fine artstudents (in all majors) to complete an internship or an exhibition(Fine Art) to advance to the next year. Although it may sound harsh tostudent ears, those who are smart will understand that it is anexcellent idea to push students into gaining experiences in this field.From sponsorship hunting, proposals, networking and writing reports;this assignments makes them do it all.

Taking place on Mondaythe 6th of October @ 5:30pm, will be the opening to the COMMAexhibition. Organised by two Year 3 students with the assistance ofboth Year 2 and Year 4 undergraduates, this exhibition will presentworks from Graphic Designers, Photographers and Fine Artists.

Donot under estimate these students, working along side these youngartist has given me a clear indication of the dedication and love fortheir profession. In this exhibition I will be among the Sevenfeatured, expect to see video works, painting and installations.

Featured artists:

Byung Hyun Ryoo
Hara Kang
Joon Seok Yoon
Masumi Arita
Nuri Kim
Rachel Kang
Sin-Mae Chung

Held at Whitecliffe College's Randolph street studios:

26 Randolph street,
Newton
AUCKLAND.

From: 6th - 16th October

Opening Night: Monday 6th Oct, 5.30pm-7pm

This event is Sponsored by:

Sunzwell
Art&Design Institute
clay&learn
Eun Kee Kim food services

Venue proudly supported by: Whitecliffe College of Art and Design

Spotlight : Sin-Mae Chung

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:14:45 +0100

Artist spotlights are back!

The OMM is once again searching for exceptional members, looking at both their contribution in the community and outstanding skill using the painting tools to create original squares.

We are starting with Sin-Mae Chung, an artist who fulfills both criteria.
As one of the most active members in the forums, you are likely to have come across a comment from Sin-Mae and even more likely to have watched the incredible animation on her square or browsed her other amazing images. We caught up with Sin-Mae to ask her about her contribution.

An artist outside of the OMM, currently completing her last year of her Bachelor in fine arts degree, Sin-Mae works with all types of mediums �Currently I have been working with film and installation: I am fascinated with motion, process, altering perception and logic. And during my spare time I tend to focus more on drawing and painting� which perhaps explains her unique combination of animation and portraiture on her square.

"The animation was more of covering up my frustrations of my original drawing, although I started thinking about creating the animation through my mediation in that drawing. The flash drawing tool is such a great innovation, why not make use of its animation feature? From then on I began the process of finding a suitable style to create a seamless motion work. The piece is really a process/development based work.�

When asked about why she thinks her piece is so popular (third in the all time popularity list, with over 160 comments over her four squares) Sin-Mae replied �I am all dazed when it comes to things like popularity, it is like flying over the moon (so surreal)� but admits that she thinks it comes down to three things: �When it all comes down to it, innovation and expression, then a little promotion on the side�

�Being in a project like this one is a great tool for understanding the cultures that exists in this world. I suppose that is the positives of all art communities, everyone is supportive and it brings out the best in your nature.�

Sin-Mae found out about the OMM through DeviantArt, like many members, and decided to support what seemed like a new, difficult challenge � finding a million artists to create a snapshot of our world - �I am all support for going against what many would deem impossible.�
However, she feels that the most important goal of the OMM is much more profound than simply drawing in one million members.
�Networking, creating bridges across the diversity of cultural differences, uniting those with great aspirations to help through whatever means they can. And of course the Goal to help sponsors in their fight to save those that need saving, all for the better-ness of humanity.�
When asked if she thinks we will achieve this goal, her reply was simply �Yes, I believe in it, and I am very certain that I am not the only one.�

Well done on all your work Sin-Mae!

Written by Sarah Edwards and Stacey Dirickson

exhibition at Belgravia submissions open

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:37:41 +0100

4th in the series "Catch by the eye save in the heart"going to take place at Eatonterrace gallery London Belgravia between 21 and 27 September.

"Catch by the eye.."is Popularly known as an exhibition representing artists with diferent background. Among exhibitors as diverse as British, French, Italian, Australian and Nigerian there was also work exhibited by Polish,Russian, Lithuanian and Ukrainian artists.

The exhibition offers an exciting opportunity to emerging artists who are at a particular stage in their development, those falling between student and recognised artist status

The aim of the project is also to awaken the hidden artistic talent in the souls of visitors. The concept involves an empty canvas placed at the heart of the exhibition with paints and brushes left freely available. The parcticipating artists encourage the visitors to create an irreplaceable piece of art. The last canvas was painted by 90 people and managed to catch the attention of fans,media and officials intstitutions.

Among other things, the "Catch by the eye save in the heart" project aims to give artists with diferent nationalities a chance to represent the culturual profile of their countries by exhibiting their work together and sharing their reflections directly with the general public. for details please visit: http://catch.eclusier.com

ONLINE FINE ART COMPETITION (OFAC) FOR INDIAN ARTISTS

Tue, 06 May 2008 11:09:29 +0100

We are pleased to inform you that SMART & U is conducting India's First Online Fine Art Competition. May I request you to please visit www.smartnu.com (and click on the top banner on the home page) to know more about OFAC, registration form, terms & conditions etc.

As this competition is for the benefit of the artists, could you please e-mail me the e-mail address and cell numbers of your artist friends who might be interested in participating in this contest, so we can send them a personal note ? In addition you could also help us by informing all your artist friends about OFAC.

Please click on this link http://www.smartnu.com/CNBC_Awaaz/smartnu-cnbc.html to view the coverage on SMART & U by CNBC Awaaz.

calling for artists!!exhibition entries

Mon, 03 Mar 2008 09:15:31 +0000

Dear artist the new list for the artists ,who wish to exhibit at this year�"Catch by the eye save in the heart"exhibition,is now open for entries. The venue: ARTSPACE GALLERY-Mayfair(close to�Bond Street and Regent Str.) Date:4-11 of May 2008 there will be on line gallery open during the exhibition� http://gallery.eclusier.com 6 selected artist will have the opportunity to enter�this summer open weekend-exhibition on the coast,with entry of fees. Please email me to receive the entry form and general information about the event Project concept is a copyrighted material of Magdalena Rutkowska, http://magda.eclusier.com Comments about �catch by the eye save in the heart�was already published in some magazines and broadcast on TV

Hardware failure, but we�re back!

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 20:45:34 +0000

During the weekend the OMM server suffered a hardware failure resulting in the website being offline for 24 hours. We apologise for the vanishing act and hope that our loyal members weren't too disappointed by our absence!

I can safely say however that we�re well and truly back.

New December snapshot

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:26:58 +0000

The December 2007 OMM snapshot has just been uploaded on to deviantArt. Those of you with our 2008 calendar will already have a small version of this snapshot on the back page of your calendar.

What's interesting is that the Big Collab is clearly visable - the first time an organised group of art has been visible from a distance.

http://www.deviantart.com/print/2430877

Enjoy.