« Older Art Books

Sponge Painting

Thursday, May 15th, 2008 by Alyice

Can you really make beautiful art with everyday household sponges and a few acrylic paints? According to Terrence Lun Tse you can! And that’s just what he proves in his exciting book, Sponge Painting.

I Recommend

Your purchase
supports this blog.

I originally went to the bookstore to find a few books on painting backgrounds as I have a few ideas that could use a little polishing but when I found Tse’s book, I had to buy it. It’s amazing what he does with an ordinary household sponge and how many beautiful effects you can create with nothing more than a rectangular sponge, a little water, and acrylic paints. In fact, I think it’s a great book for beginning collage artists who want quick, easy, and fun backgrounds for their collage work.

There are 20 projects in the book with 14 quick sponge painting demonstrations and four pages of getting started instructions.

The projects start with a photo of the actual painting you’ll be making and a description of that painting. It’s followed by a list of acrylic paints you’ll need to complete the project along with colored squares to help you match the colors correctly. Next you’ll see a few photos of the painting in progress and step-by-step instructions on how to achieve certain effects. Finally, you’re given instructions on how to critique the piece so that you can give yourself constructive criticism and make the changes necessary to go from “okay” to “wow”.

After showing the book to my daughter she asked if we could do a few projects together this summer. I can’t wait! It’s the first book I’ve shown her that she actually thought she’d have fun doing as a “mother-daughter” activity.

Posted in Art Books | No Comments »

A Photographic Style

Thursday, March 20th, 2008 by Alyice

I Recommend

Your purchase
supports this blog.

Aside from the fact that the Bell’s Palsy has made my eye see blurred and fuzzy images, thus making it difficult to pursue photography at this time, I’ve come to realize something that’s been holding me back—thanks to Anne Geddes’ new book, A Labor Of Love. And that’s the fact that I don’t’ really know what I want to specialize in when it comes to photography and that makes it difficult to get out there and market.

It’s very much like the life of an artist. An artist must first define his (or her) work and then set himself apart from other artists. He must show—through his art—what makes him different, special, and distinct. He must give his clients a reason to choose his work over that of other artists, or to choose his work to complement the works of other artists already purchased. And right now, I can honestly say that I don’t have such a direction for my photography.

Sure I know that I want my photography to help record and preserve history at both an affordable and profitable price. I also know that I want to capture real life and real moments in time and that I don’t want to work with people who want digital plastic surgery just to make themselves look better. I know that I want to work with people who like themselves for who they are inside and want that inner beauty to be portrayed in their photographs—minor touch-ups okay. And finally, I know that I wouldn’t mind using a little Anne Geddes magic in my photographs. But beyond that, I have nothing. I don’t yet have a style to call my own.

Early on Geddes discovered that “…every photographer needs to have their own individual style, a sense that you can do it your own unique way….” and she knew that it would “take years to develop”. But that did not stop her from owning her own photography business. She cultivated her style while working as a portraiture photographer. And today, she’s living her dream as a renowned baby photographer.

Reading A Labor Of Love. was a truly inspirational and motivational experience because it allowed me to see where Geddes came from and how she got to where she is today. It showed me that one can begin a photography business without yet having one’s own distinct style and that one can grow into that style over time. And it made me realize how vitally important it is to stay true to one’s self; for only then can real success take place—whether that success is monetary or otherwise.

Posted in Art Books | 1 Comment »

The Business Side Of Things

Tuesday, March 11th, 2008 by Alyice

Have you ever wondered how some artists are able to make a nice living doing what they love? Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, “How do I get there, too?”

Art is such a subjective thing in that what one considers to be art another does not. And so, in order to succeed as an artist, one must be willing to be susceptible to the criticisms of others. That’s no easy task for an artist. Artists create with their souls and their works are an extension of who they are on the inside. It’s like that expression often used when someone is transparent in both body language and words. But instead of saying “She wears her heart on her sleeve” we say, “She wears her heart in her work.”

I Recommend

Your purchase
supports this blog.

I suppose that’s why you often hear artists of every gender, age, and media say, “I’d rather be in the studio.” It’s hard to be told how to create something. It’s hard to be told that something you created, in which you thought was simply brilliant, was missing its mark. And yet, those are things an artist must endure when building a business around their works.

That’s why I was excited to discover Alyson B. Stanfield’s new book, “I’d rather be in the studio: The Artist’s No-Excuse Guide To Self-Promotion.” It truly is jam-packed with thought provoking questions designed to make you think about your art in a whole new way.

Are you a hobbyist or are you an artist on a mission? Do you want your art to replace your income or do you simply want it to supplement your income? And if you do want to make an income from your art, how are you going to get there? These are questions you’ll ask yourself as you delve into Alyson’s book. And these are questions you’ll find answers to if you use her book as the home study course it was designed to be.

As someone who already runs a successful online business, there’s a lot of information I already knew, like using the Internet and the press to promote my business, taking advantage of blogs, websites, e-zines, and utilizing online networks. But there were so many other things that pertained specifically to the art industry that I did not know and that’s where I got the most bang out of the book. Like did you know that an “Artist’s Statement” could mean the difference between getting into a gallery showing and being turned away—even if your work was good? Did you know that too much talking during an exhibit, about your work could turn buyers off, but just the right amount could actually get you the sale? And did you realize that you can actually begin following up with past buyers—even if it’s been two years from the sale?

Seriously, if you are thinking about making money with your art, increasing awareness about your art, or taking your current art business to the next level, you’ll want to pick up a copy of “I’d rather be in the studio.” There’s some solid advice in the book. In fact, I have several pages earmarked for future reference.

Posted in Art Books | 2 Comments »