Artists Switch From Labeling Their Paintings Acrylic To *Synthetic Polymer*

English: THAHLES, 2006. Corday. Synthetic Poly...

English: THAHLES, 2006. Corday. Synthetic Polymer and Pigment on raw linen. 72 x 216in. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I wrote and published this article in June of 2012, yet artists are still commenting on it.

Featured it again in 2015, and for a 3rd time October 2016.  Here’s the original article–

I don’t know all the reasons for acrylic shame, but I do know that many galleries and artists have long labeled acrylic paintings as *mixed media* to help increase sales. I’ve also heard stories of art collectors losing interest and walking away from a painting once they learned it was painted with acrylic paints.

Lately, I have noticed a new trend–contemporary artists are labeling their paintings *synthetic polymer* paintings rather than use the dreaded word *acrylic* to describe their work.

I’m thinking of doing the same. Synthetic polymer does sound more advanced, up-to-the-minute, complex. Perhaps *synthetic polymer* as a medium is actually more accurate a description, since *acrylic* does come in many forms other than paint. There are acrylic nails, acrylic fish tanks, acrylic comes in sheets, there are acrylic fibers, and acrylic acids. Just using the word *acrylic* alone in a line description assumes that the reader/viewer of your work will know that refers to artist acrylic paints. As contemporary artists continue to expand the materials they work with it may just be necessary to use *synthetic polymer* to describe the paint used, for accuracy and clarity. What do you think? Are you willing to drop the use of the term *acrylic painting* and start describing your paintings at *synthetic polymer paintings*? If so, why? For more accurate descriptions? Hope to increase sales? Please leave a comment below.

Get Your Art Showcased and Featured in Instagram Galleries

Instagram

Artists who add hashtags to their art images get more visibility as they post their work to Instagram. Some hashtags artists use:  #abstract #abstractart  #abstract_and_contemporary_art  #acryliconcanvas  #artdealer #artwork #artcollector #artcollectors  #artforsale #apartmenttherapy  #artlovers  #atelier #artistportraits  #affordableart  #womenartists  #artbuyers  #buyart Collectart# #collecting  #decor #contemporaryart  #collect #collage #drawing #draw #drawingaday #thedailysketch #dotsofpaint #FineArtPrints #handpainted #homedecor #interiordesign #interiordecor #interiorstyling  #loveart #landscapes #livewithart #limitededition #lowbrowart  #mixedmedia #mixedmediaart #officedecor #paint  #paintingforsale #pastel #pastelpainting #print #prints #printchat  #PRINTMAKING  #portrait  #sellart

Artists also tag their art images for specific collections and online galleries that feature artists– here are a few:

Art Sanity on Instagram has over 143,000 followers, and they like to showcase the best artwork from undiscovered artists on Instagram. To get your work in front of their curators tag your art images with #artsanity. Two Art Sanity curators seem to like especially feature drawings — view their tastes here and here.

artFido.com  has 426,000 followers. ArtFido invites you to tag your art images with @artFido #artFido or #art for a possible feature.

Magic Gallery, with nearly 10K followers, asks you to tag your art photos and videos with #magicgallery for their curators to view and share.

The Art Shed tag your art with #theartshed for a chance to be featured.

Art of Visuals, color photography–tag with #Artofvisuals or #AOV for feature.

GALLERY_OF_BW, black and white photography–tag your images with #gallery_of_bw

AARTISTIC_DREAMERS, with over 76,000 followersfeatures talented artists and illustrators. To get their attention hastag your artworks with #aartistic_dreamers for a chance to be featured.

ART_SPOTLIGHT, with 320,000 followers, invites artists to tag their art images with #Art_Spotlight for a feature.

Also, New York City artist Sarah Rosado, SRARTWORK on Instagram with nearly 60,000 followers, offers to share your artwork if you tag it with #srartwork

 

If you’re looking for more ways to get your art featured on social media platforms, on art blogs and in art magazines, get our e-list here and here.

 

 

 

Video: Start to Finish oil painting by Davide Ricchetti

We leave Sundays open to share videos we receive from artists. Italian artist Davide Ricchetti sent us this video showing the stages of development of his oil on canvas painting titled Estate – Summer.  View more at davidericchetti.com

 

IF you have a video you’d like us to share here and on Twitter and other social media sites, contact —

Marie Kazalia email: MarieKazalia@gmail.com

Two Artist Resources that Defy Categorization: Works.io and Art360 Gallery

From first view, the Art365 Gallery website has the look of an online art magazine, IMO. Although they refer to themselves as both an online art gallery and an art blog. You’ll find Featured Artists, Galleries, Glass Artists, and Art News.

Visual artists and glass artists are invited to submit for a permanent spot on this site.

– Send  a text in 300-500 characters about you, your artworks and perhaps a few words about your art technique.

– A link to your website/Facebook page.

– 6-8 quality images of your art.

They will rewrite a unique text about you and your art, show the best of your artworks and link to your website and Facebook fan page from their art blog (it’s a 100% free service). You’ll find the full details on their website.

Works.io is a sophisticated artist driven platform with a professional portfolio and CV tool for emerging fine artists to create online visibility.

Works.io is something like an artist directory, yet, when artists sign up for free they have a dashboard allowing them to add images of their art, their exhibition news, and more. Works.io also offers a monthly selection of emerging artists with more extensive text about each artist showcased. Works.io selects sophisticated art in low-key tones for their feature.

These relatively new sites have been added to our 57 page e-list of art magazines, blogs, and artist directories.

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#twitterartexhibit Call For Artists  

Twitter Art Exhibit: Moss, Norway (2015)  Show runs March 12 – March 26, 2015

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: March 1, 2015

Please read the instructions below carefully to find out how and where to submit your art.

These are just the basics. Find more information about the Twitter Art Exhibit on the website: www.twitterartexhibit.org

Twitter Art Exhibit: Moss is an international exhibition of original postcard art benefiting Home-Start Moss charity.

Social media plays a major role in Twitter Art Exhibit. The event will be highly publicized and well attended by art buyers and enthusiasts, members of the press, local artists and the community, as well as by the staff of Home-Start Moss, and the families they support.

To Participate in the #TwitterArtExhibit  PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

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Pay special attention to the materials, size and medium requirements described below. Artwork that does not meet these requirements will be rejected.  

1) You must be a Twitter user to participate in Twitter Art Exhibit: Moss. Make sure to follow @twitrartexhibit, as well as the hashtag #twitterartexhibit. Don’t forget to visit www.twitterartexhibit.org for updates!

2) Send a message to d_sandum@hotmail.com with the heading Twitter Art Exhibit: Moss to indicate your interest in participating. This is your pre-registration, and allows us to plan ahead for the exhibition. You are fully registered when your work is received at the destination.

3) Create a postcard-sized original piece of art. Standard postcard sizes are required: 6.3 x 4.7 inches or 16 x 12 cm MAXIMUM (see detailed size, medium & material requirements below).

4) Include complete information* on the back of your card: a) real name, b) @twittername, c) city, + country d) e-mail, e) website and f) artwork title. This will be helpful to buyers and organizers alike, and will be used to print labels placed next to each card at the gallery.

5) Mail your postcard in an envelope via Regular First Class Mail (or international equivalent) to the following address:

Home-Start Moss
Skoggata 24
N-1531 Moss
Norway

ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS

  • POSTCARD MATERIALS: Thick, good quality paper is preferred, but thin cardboard will also do.
  • MEDIUMS: Postcards must be signed, handmade originals in any of the following 2D mediums: Watercolor, acrylic, oil, ink, gouache, mixed media, collage, pencil, charcoal and pastel. Please use spray fixative for gritty mediums, and remember to properly prime/gesso your surfaces if you work with oils, allowing them to fully dry before shipping. Linocuts, woodcuts, lithographs (printmaking) are accepted IF they are the correct size, hand-signed and “one off” originals (1/1). NOT ALLOWED: Photographs*, digital art, art that is laser/inkjet or machine-printed, any copies, duplications or reproductions (computer or otherwise). A printed promotional postcard does not constitute an original piece of art and will not be accepted. And please, nothing perishable, toxic or otherwise harmful. *In recent years we have decided to steer away from photography and digital art due to the large amount of low-quality prints received, and so as to focus on the “handmade”.
  • DIMENSIONS/FORMAT: This is an exhibition of postcard art, so your artwork should resemble that (art on one side, your info on the other). The maximum size allowed is 6.3 x 4.7 inches (16 x 12 cm). Slightly smaller versions are fine.
  • NO JURY, NO THEME (OPEN EXHIBITION): Any professional or amateur artist in reach of our voice is invited!
  • NUMBER OF SUBMISSIONS PER ARTIST:Please send only ONE card per artist. 
  • ENTER EARLY:Postcards must be received at the above address by March 1, 2015 to be included in the exhibition. Late entries will not be accepted. Allow at least 10 business days for shipping if you reside in continental Europe. Allow at least two weeks (14 business days) anywhere else.
  • NO PARTICIPATION FEES: there is no fee to enter.  100% of proceeds for postcard sales go to charity.
  • ARTWORK PRICING: The sale price will be $35 USD (200kr) per card. Many, if not all of these cards are worth a lot more, but this will allow the general public to purchase them easily.
  • SHIPPING METHOD: Please ship your work, well protected in an envelope via regular first class mail.

 WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

  • WHEN ORGANIZERS RECEIVE YOUR POSTCARD, THEY WILL:
    1) Capture the image and send you a Twitter shout-out using the hashtag #twitterartexhibit (check the @connect tab on your Twitter account for your mention)
    2) Post it to an album on their Facebook page  (visit us to see if your card has arrived).
    3) Enter your info in a database that will be used for printing labels, which will be placed next to the card at the exhibit.
  • ONE POSTCARD = MANY TWEETS » SPREAD THE WORD!
    The Twitter Art Exhibit Twitter account is @twitrartexhibit. Please follow us! We appreciate RTs and mentions. We suggest you post a pic of your card on Twitter before mailing it, and use the hashtag #twitterartexhibit so that we can share the love! If you wish, curator David Sandum may be reached at @DavidSandum, and TwitterArtExhibit board members Maria Pedrero and Nat George may be reached at @robinpedrero and @natgeorgela, respectively. You may also connect with Helen Mollatt from Home-Start Moss at @HomeStartMoss.
  • AFTER THE EXHIBITION:
    All work received will be considered a donation and will not be returned to the sender, even if it remains unsold. Any unsold art will be donated to the charity to use as they see fit (i.e. create a mural with remaining pieces to commemorate the event, or sell remaining work at future fundraisers).
  • VIDEO / BOOK: It’s possible that a video and/or book may be produced. This will remain at the discretion of the local organizer, time and resources allowing.
  • 100% of funds raised by Twitter Art Exhibit go to the chosen charity.

Featured Artist: Esther Lau, pastel paintings on paper

Each Saturday we feature the work of one artist member of our Artist Marketing Resources LinkedIN group.

Today we’re featuring the pastel paintings of Hong Kong artist Esther Lau. View more of Esther Lau’s art in her Etsy Shop.

After the rain (pastel on pastel paper) Dimension: 3296 x 2315 Esther Lau $120

After the rain, Esther Lau, pastel on pastel paper
 $120

 

pastel on  pastel paper) Dimension: 3207 x 2256 Artist name: Esther Lau Retail price: USD100

Waterfall, Esther Lau, pastel on pastel paper
$100

 

Country park view (Tsing Yi Garden), pastel on pastel paper, Dimension: 3250 x 2292 Artist name: Esther Lau Retail price: USD110

Country park view (Tsing Yi Garden), Esther Lau, pastel on pastel paper
$110 

Garden view (pastel & pastel paper) Dimension: 3249 x 2303 Artist name: Esther Lau Retail price: USD20

Garden view, Esther Lau, pastel on pastel paper

 

Misty morning (pastel & pastel paper) Dimension: 3296 x 2283 Artist name: Esther Lau Retail price: USD130

Misty morning, Esther Lau, pastel on pastel paper
$130

 

Title: Sunset in the beach (pastel & pastel paper) Dimension: 3296 x 2425 Artist name: Esther Lau Retail price: USD130

Sunset in the beach, Esther Lau, pastel on pastel paper
$130

 

Flower basket (pastel & pastel paper) Dimension: 3270 x 2316 Artist name: Esther Lau Retail price: USD110

Flower basket, Esther Lau, pastel on pastel paper
$110

Learn Figurative Encaustic In A Daily Correspondence Course

In the Fullness of Time, Encaustic painting, Richard Young

In the Fullness of Time, Encaustic painting, Richard Young

Artist Richard Young’s Encaustic Master Class

If you’re currently an abstract artist (or any other style) and want to learn figurative encaustic, Richard Young will get you started by creating a preliminary sketch on the encaustic substrate and shipping it to you. This will be a daily correspondence course at your convenience. You don’t have to be at your computer at any particular time. Over the 4 weeks, Richard says that he will, ” leave no stone unturned in the figurative encaustic process.”
There are 3 parts to the course:
  • Setting up a foundation and being able to maintain accuracy throughout the process.
  • Building on the foundation and meditation on creativity and technique.
  • Finishing touches and knowing “when” the final brush stroke is made.
Richard offers his expertise in detailed pics,videos and detailed in-depth instruction for $500 for a 4 week class. $1000 for a 4 month master class. For more details please email me, Richard Young, at Tsarevich63@charter.net            www.richardyoungfineart.com
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Encaustic portrait painting by Richard Young

Pale Horse, Encaustic painting by

Pale Horse, Encaustic painting by

Sculpture and Paintings of Italian Artist Tony Cassisi

Sculptor and painter Tony Cassisi creates his sculptural works in wood and other materials.

Strip, wood sculpture, Tony Cassisis

Strip, wood sculpture, Tony Cassisi

Exile from Eden (view 2), sculpture, Tony Cassisi

Exile from Eden (view 2), sculpture, Tony Cassisi

Exile from Eden, sculpture, Tony Cassisi

Exile from Eden, sculpture, Tony Cassisi

Boys, bas-relief, Tony Cassisi

Boys, bas-relief, Tony Cassisi

On the artist’s website, there are images of 47 bas-relief artworks of people, as well as many creations of birds and other subjects.

You will find dozens of beautiful oil paintings of people and the Italian landscape on the artist’s website. These paintings Tony Cassisi called Metalgraphs, his own unique mentor of paintings with oil paints on metalized boards. The backgrounds of these paintings the artist has painted with metallic colors, while foregrounds he has painted with oil colors.

Shepherds Under a Porch, painting by Tony Cassisi

Shepherds Under a Porch, painting by Tony Cassisi

Lava, painting by Tony Cassisi

Lava, painting by Tony Cassisi

Herdsman at sunset, painting incorporating found materials, Tony Cassisi

Herdsman at sunset, painting incorporating found materials, Tony Cassisi

Sorrowful Mother, pyrography, Tony Cassisi

Sorrowful Mother, pyrography, Tony Cassisi

Visit the artist’s website to view many more artworks: www.tony cassisi.it

Ownza: Easy Way to Make Money Online

I signed up with Ownza. When I made some purchases on Amazon, Ownza gave me the option to share each item. A couple of days after I made my purchases, I received email notifications:

Good news. You have a payment of $1.59 pending to be credited into your Ownza account for purchasing something through Amazon for $69.35.

Good news. You have a payment of $1.86 pending to be credited into your account for purchasing something through Amazon for $69.24.

It’s easy to sign-up for Ownza and share your online purchases for cash back.

Figurative Encaustic Master Class Correspondence Course

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                                                 Encaustic portrait by Richard Young

Artist Richard Young’s Encaustic Master Class

If you are currently an abstract artist (or any other style) and want to learn figurative encaustic, Richard Young can get you started by creating a preliminary sketch on the encaustic substrate and shipping it to you. This will be a daily correspondence course at your convenience. One doesn’t have to be at one’s computer at any particular time. Over the 4 weeks, Richard says, “I’ll leave no stone unturned in the figurative encaustic process.” Basically there will be 3 parts: Setting up a foundation and being able to maintain accuracy throughout the process, building on the foundation and meditation on creativity and technique, and thirdly, finishing touches and knowing “when” the final brush stroke is made. All of this with detailed photos, videos and detailed in-depth instruction is $500 for a 4 week class. $1000 for a 4 month master class. For more details please email me, Richard Young, at Tsarevich63@charter.net            www.richardyoungfineart.com
In the Fullness of Time, Encaustic painting, Richard Young

In the Fullness of Time, Encaustic painting, Richard Young

Pale Horse, Encaustic painting by

Pale Horse, Encaustic painting by Richard Young

Meaning of Light— New Painting in Artist Gabriella Cleuren’s Brave New Old World Series

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The Light symbolic.

Light is a condition for seeing. It is so normal that we are rarely conscious of it. It makes everything visible, but remains unnoticed itself. Nonetheless, it is a graphic means for the artist, which she or he directs, or a given which she or he copiously directs her/himself in their work and in their observation. Because light is decisive for the atmosphere and thus it announces or transfers something to the viewer without him or her becoming aware of it. Light feels nice. It gives brightness, clarity and is the bearer of old archetypal meanings which any person of any culture whatsoever intuitively feels. Light stands for cleanliness, goodness, sincerity, truth, spirituality, simplicity and modesty, strength, wisdom and beauty; in short, for the divine. Thus it is positively set.

© Gabriella Cleuren 2013

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                  Meaning of light 2013 73 x 54 cm ( 28 3/4 x 21 1/4 inches)
Art of the Prom Nice France from  June 7 until June 9  2013.
Gabriella Cleuren’s book featuring her Brave New Old Worlds painting series is available directly from the artist via her website–here is the link to preview and order: http://www.gabycleuren.com/publications
You may view the artist’s newest paintings in her series Brave New Old Worlds just added to her site, here :
 http://www.gabycleuren.com/types/Brave_New_Old_Worlds/works/
The website of Art of the Prom : http://www.artoftheprom.com/

Oil Paintings by Artist Maria Gibbs Depict Moments From Everyday Life

Hens and Chicks, oil painting by Maria Gibbs

Hens and Chicks, oil painting by Maria Gibbs

Maria Gibbs paints to fulfill her passion for the world around her. She loves the artistic process and the act of painting in oils in her studio. She follows her creative inner voice producing stunning images of subjects that include flowers, succulents, landscapes, and people dancing. Her use of vivid colors bring the paintings to life and her combined brush and palette knife work result in remarkable and subtle nuances in texture. Maria works her large floral images in two series–the first, stylized in nature with much romantic appeal, and the second, near photo-realism. She is excited to share these paintings with you in the galleries on her website  http://mariagibbsfineart.com/.

Bloomin' Red, oil painting by Maria Gibbs

Bloomin’ Red, oil painting by Maria Gibbs

To purchase one of our original paintings or hand-embellished limited edition prints, visit her website  http://mariagibbsfineart.com/

Abstract Art by Leon Sarantos in “Mad World” National Juried Exhibit Until 4/6

Organic Creatures Going To The Beach. Leon Sarantos

Organic Creatures Going To The Beach. Leon Sarantos

Paintings from Leon Sarantos’ Organic Creatures series are on view until next Saturday, April 6, in the Mad World, National Juried Exhibition, at Union Street Gallery, 1527 Otto Blvd, Chicago Heights, IL 60411.   Sixty artworks from among 271 submissions were selected by juror Natalie Domchenko (Director: Peter Miller Gallery, Chicago).  Over 250 people visited the gallery during the opening night reception.

The Mad World exhibit features art that is absurd, surreal, and simply MAD!  Mad World displays art by 33 artists from 11 different US states.  Some of the art on exhibit depicts bizarre or imagined worlds, crazy structures not bound by the laws of the gravity, whimsical inventions, and strangely absurd scenarios that appear to be straight out of fantasy or science fiction!

Organic Creatures Slurping Up A Mango Smoothie, painting on canvas, Leon Sorantos

Organic Creatures Slurping Up A Mango Smoothie, painting on canvas, Leon Saran’s

Leon Sarantos’ Organic Creatures paintings combine a feeling of whimsy with a sense of bizarre absurdity.  Here is how the artist described his process in creating these paintings– “For the first of these artworks, Organic Creatures Going To The Beach, I actually envisioned it in an instant behind my eyelids as I was rubbing my eyes after some tiring work.  I tried to apply the image to canvas immediately, adding all kinds of color and quick composition, while keeping the main figures true to my vision. When finished, I looked at the painting and felt that here were some strange creatures doing something, and sensed that they were on their way to the beach.  I then created more oils of this same family of creatures moving about in different settings.  My other paintings for this exhibit include Organic Creatures Taking The White House Tour, and Organic Creatures Slurping Up A Mango Smoothie.”

Organic Creatures Taking The White House Tour, Leon Sarantos

Organic Creatures Taking The White House Tour, Leon Sarantos

 Leon Sarantos also writes–“I’ve gotten a lot of helpful information from your blog, which recently led me to join Artsia and Xanadu, along with lots of other helpful posts.”

Find the artist on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ArtByLeonSarantos

Leon Sarantos website —http://www.leonsarantosartist.com

 

Artists: Call for Sketchbook Drawings for E Book

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Jester Jacques Gallery  in the UK is accepting submissions for their newest project–they are putting together a collection of 50 drawings/paintings/illustrations to make an E book.

Do you want to submit your art? See examples of what they like and read the full submissions details here.

Creating Multiple Points of Sale and Art Products

I’ve set up unique buy options for my art and shared my images on Pinterest. The latest research reveals that about 28% of Pinterest users earn 6 figure incomes and use Pinterest to shop for home decor and other products.

My painting, Blue Rice Cracker, is one of 7 paintings selected by an art licensing company for limited edition canvas prints. (I will share that site in future). An art licensing contract will, of course, allow me to sell the original paintings, and so I have Blue Rice Cracker listed for sale on both Artsia and Zatista, since I’ve had painting sale on both sites before.

I am also free to sell paper prints, such as on the Society6 site, and textile prints on the Spoonflower site. On Society6 there is a buy option for my painting printed on this decorative pillow home decor item, which I promote to urban apartment dwellers, home owners, and Interior Designers alike.

Marie Kazalia's painting Blue Rice Cracker available as a pillow print on Society6.

Marie Kazalia’s painting Blue Rice Cracker available as a pillow print on Society6.

Blue Rice Cracker, oil painting on panel, Marie Kazalia, 2012

Blue Rice Cracker, oil painting on panel, Marie Kazalia, 2012

 

First Come First Served—C.A.S. Donates Oil Paints To Artists Affected by Sandy Storm

C.A.S Paints, an Illinois-based paint manufacturer, asked me to share the news that they have generously donated a supply of oil paints for artists affected by Sandy. Storm-affected artists interested in taking advantage of these donated materials are free to stop by NYFA’s offices before January 11. Materials will be given out on a first-come-first-served basis. Find the address and details here:

http://www.nyfa.org/level2.asp?id=202&fid=1

also Artinfo shares the news and links :
Midwestern Manufacturer Donates Hundreds of Pounds of Oil Paints to Sandy-Stricken Artists

http://blogs.artinfo.com/artintheair/2012/11/19/midwestern-manufacturer-donates-hundreds-of-pounds-of-oil-paints-to-sandy-stricken-artists/

Why Do Artists Work in Series?

Many art lovers recognize the work of an artist by artistic style or the recurring themes that the artist continues to explore. Some may even refer to these things as part of the artist’s brand. More often you will hear the term series used by artists. Many artists who do work in series that explore variations of composition, repeating pattern, recurring design elements, signature color palette or technique, will say that they feel fortunate to have a series going. This is what every artist hopes will develop as they work in their studio.

Artworks in series have become a standard of art-making practice among successful artists–so much so that many gallerist and art collectors expect to see artists’ work available in one or more ongoing series.

New York City artist Barbara Rachko describes working in a series as feeling natural and authentic to her.  She shares some perceptive insights– “working in series mimics the… gradual way that our lives unfold, the way we slowly evolve and change over the years.”  She describes how every paintings that she works on has a lesson to teach.  Once completed she can look at each finished piece and see how her ideas have progressed a step or two further. 

Big Wow, Barbara Ratchko

Big Wow, Barbara Rachko

Intruder, Barbara Ratchko

Intruder, Barbara Rachko

Quartet, Barbara Ratchko

Quartet, Barbara Rachko

Visit Barbara Rachko’s website to view more images of her work– www.barbararachko.com  

Read more on why Barbara Rachko works in series, on her blog Colored Dust, at:  www.barbararachkoscoloreddust.com

In Barbara Rachko’s Domestic Threats series of pastel-on-sandpaper paintings, the artist uses Mexican folk art—masks, carved wooden animals, papier mâché figures, and toys—in a lively blend of reality and fantasy. 

Other blog articles on this artist:

Dolls, Masks, Zombies, Devils, Skulls and Day of the Dead Skeletons in the Pastel Paintings of Barbara Rachko

Oil Painting Without Solvents In Your Artist Studio This Winter

English: Paint brushes Deutsch: Pinsel

English: Paint brushes Deutsch: Pinsel (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Oil Painting without Solvents

I began using M. Graham Walnut Oil Alkyd Medium a couple of years ago and love this super high-quality pourable oil painting medium that allows me to thin my paints without using solvents such turpentine or odorless mineral spirits.  If you are not looking to speed-up drying with alkyd, then add M. Graham Walnut Oil Medium to your color to increase flow and slow the drying.

With Walnut oil artist products you can do Solvent Free Painting and  Solvent Free Brush Cleaning  in your studio this winter.

You can free your studio of dangerous solvents by using walnut oil to clean brushes. Walnut oil is a natural way to remove color from artist brushes or tools as effectively as odorless paint thinner but without creating an airborne solvent hazard that is damaging to your health.  To avoid solvents while cleaning brushes, use Walnut oil in place of turpentine or odorless mineral spirit. Walnut oil is a natural vegetable oil that neither evaporates nor removes essential oils from your paintbrush bristles.

To clean brushes while painting, keep two jars (one “dirty” and one “clean”) filled with Walnut Oil – a small piece of screening can be kept in the jar bottom to facilitate removal of color from the brush. As it becomes necessary to clean, dip your brush into the first jar of oil (rubbing to dislodge any color) and wipe the oil from the brush on the inside lip of the jar. Repeat a few times then dip the brush into the second jar to remove any remaining color. A final wipe on the inside jar lip to remove any leftover oil completes the process.

Reminder:  Immediately after use, dispose of contaminated waste in a sealed, water filled metal container. If improperly discarded, rags, steel wool or other waste may spontaneously combust when combined with vegetable drying oils and artists’ products made with them.

Learn more about sovlent-free oil painting here.

Both the M. Graham Walnut Oil Alkyd Medium and Walnut Oil Medium are now essential to my studio practice. Recently, I also tried six M. Graham Artists’ Oil Colors in tubes: azo yellow, quinacridone rose, napthol red, ultramarine blue, phthalocyanine blue, and titanium white. I was quite impressed by the high quality of these oil paints as I used them and also did a side-by-side comparison with other brands I had on hand. I am eager to add more M. Grahman paints to my studio supply. If you are looking for intensely pigmented paints in a fine quality oil, then you owe it to yourself to try the M. Graham brand.

The reason M. Graham oil paints are so packed with pigment is due to their use of Walnut oil which allows them to increase the amount of pigment in each color, resulting in extraordinary richness, color saturation, brilliance and tinting strength. Walnut oil also has a unique refractive index and non-yellowing nature that produces color that is more naturally alive and brilliant.

Video: How M. Graham makes paint 

 

Join a Design Collective: illustration, graphic arts, painting and creative writing

Image via FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image via FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This company or collective is interested in connecting with illustrators, graphic artists, painters, and creative writers!

  • Gryphon Design Collective
  • JOIN THE COLLECTIVE
  • Gryphon Design Collective promotes worldwide talent in the fields of illustration, graphic arts, painting and creative writing. They recruit designers from around the globe to create original personalized children’s books, learning games, fine art cards, and notebooks. If you are interested in contributing to their growing collection with your unique artistic designs, illustrations and creative writing, please complete this online form.
  • They  will contact you if we have an opening that aligns with your talents

This is just one of many thousands researched and gathered together in our Artist Resources share lists. Our PDF lists are continually updated and expanded. Each resource includes one or more clickable links like in the  listing above. Here are our available PDF artist resources lists:

International Art Gallery list PDF 

Art Licensing companies, artist agents and artist representative list PDF

Directory of Art Consultants PDF

 900+ Places to Sell your Art PDF list

Transmedia Artist Guide to Making Artist Submissions ebook 

Different Roles of the Artist Representative Vs the Artist Agent

This is purely my opinion based on my personal experience–I have not asked any other arts professionals–but, IMO, an artist representative keeps artists in their company *stable* making them available to provide art services to their clients exclusively, while an artist agent gets the artist’s work out their, even hooking them up with artist representatives if that is right for their career. Some artists have referred to me as both an artist representative and an artist agent. Artist agent is more accurate for me by my definition. If an artist-client of mine painted high quality mural art, then I would connect them with this artist representative who handles high-end mural projects. Another artist representative handles commercial illustrators and photographers yet has a shop on their site to sell  fine art photographic prints, posters, books, cards, and canvas art. If my client’s work fit that specific market I would work to hook them up and get their work in that shop!

For artists who like to do it all themselves, I offer my contact list in PDF form for only $18.95. There really should be another one hundred dollars added to that price, but I am generous and like to help artists out. Of course the list is priceless if you use it to make valuable connections to advance your art career.

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