ArtSites Updates

We've been getting more and more questions about blogging and I thought it would be good to write down a few tips and points specifically for visual artists blogging. Since you're a visual artist, your blog should be HIGHLY VISUAL!

Generally, each blog post should have at least one large image (more is perfectly fine) and a few sentences about the image and why it's important. Simple, right?!

Well, the next question is: What do I blog about?

Here are a few suggestions:

• Works-in-progress: post your artwork as it's coming together or ask others for feedback
• New Works: pieces you've just finished
• Old Works: pieces that haven't been seen or discussed in a while
• New Collectors: pieces you've just sold and that have found a new home :-)
• Your Inspirations: these could be as simple as a photo of a sunset, a photo, or another piece of artwork. What inspires you and where do your ideas come from?
• Upcoming shows, classes, or other events: share what you're up to and where you'll be
• Interesting Museums or Exhibits: where have you been or what have you seen recently?
• Videos: share videos of your work process, your work space, or a basic or new art technique
• A Creative Theme: Pick a creative them, e.g. in January, I'll blog about sunny/summery things, show my bright, colorful pieces, etc.
• New Colors or Media: share what you're exploring/experimenting with, new brushes, new techniques, or even a new color
• Selling Art: share your experiences and challenges
• Your Background: education, classes, where you learned your craft, etc.
• Why you became an artist: curious minds would LOVE to know! :-)

• Create a Blog Post
• Send a Blog Post (Newsletter) to Your Mailing List

If you have any other questions, just ask!

ArtSites artist, Suzanne Gerard is in the process of creating an oil painting on black gesso.

However, this is her first time and she is wondering if any of you have suggestions or would like to provide comments as she works on the painting.

Please check out Suzanne's blog post and send your thoughts, ideas, tips, and recommendations to her at Suzanne@SuzanneGerard.com.

Thanks!

Here's something I'm sure we all can relate to :-)

I've been working with some of our new artists on their bios and wanted to share some tips.

Many of you have a formal bio that is written for publicity purposes, galleries, etc.

While these are great, I am finding that they read somewhat impersonally. They are typically written in the third-person, e.g. Rochelle is XYZ.

These days, I'm finding that your bio on YOUR website should really tell YOUR story from YOUR perspective.

This is what makes your website YOURS and makes your bio personal!

So, I'd recommend you consider using the first person: "I" to address your visitors.

You can still include:

• Your degrees
• What mediums you work in
• Where you have studied
• Where you are from
• Where you have exhibited
• Where your art is hanging or has been hung
• Associations or societies you belong to
• Any upcoming shows
• Any awards/prizes won

Remember visitors want to get to know YOU and YOUR art!

Tell them a great story using descriptive language that provides a nice backdrop to everything else they'll experience on your website!

Here's one example from a recent ArtSites artist.

If you'd like some help or feedback, simply email us and we'd be more than happy to work with you!

We're planning on printing up some new business cards and are looking at Moo MiniCards (see above) because they offer a service called "Printfinity" (see video below) where we can print a different image on every single MiniCard in a pack. What we'd like to do is use and show off YOUR artwork.

Taking the private act of painting into a public forum is challenging and interesting. Artists who are intrigued by this should know that there are opportunities to engage in such an activity, e.g. the Vancouver Art Battles happen on the first Tuesday of each month at Raw Canvas in Yaletown. The next one is Tuesday, January 8th and if you know of any Art Battles in your area, please let us know and we'll gladly add them to our Events listing below.

(Thanks to ArtSites artist, David Stevens, for this!)

Recently, I've been sharing some tips and best practices in my workshops, and many of you may also find these interesting.

Since your website is an ongoing "work-in-progress" and you're always adding new images, you may want to think about adding a "New Works" or "Latest Works" gallery to your list of galleries.

This allows you to highlight the latest additions to your website and is quite helpful to returning visitors.

Of course, you can also include these newer pieces in your other galleries, as well.

This a great way for anyone coming back (or even visiting for the first time) to see your most recent additions and for you to highlight your latest works.

Give it try! :-)

'Tis the season to show off your artistic talent. Still looking for that perfect, unique holiday gift? Why not repurpose some of your own items to create new cooler ones?! Here are 23 Super Creative Repurposed Items. These projects turn old yoga mats, washing machines, and even dumpsters into cool items with a new and clever use! Even if these don't exactly work, perhaps they spark another creative idea. So, get crafting!!

Along the lines of this "holiday workout", here's a great wine infographic to help you find the perfect wine! (Or, as in my case, better understand why I like certain wines ;-)

As an artist, do your business cards really convey your artistic abilities? Here are two examples: Handcolored Business Cards and Watercolored Business Cards that show hand-painted business cards. While hand-painted cards may not be specifically for you, think about how you can share "samples" of your works (both visually and tactilely) and make your business cards truly memorable!