Blog Home

Art does not exist solely in the visual, the painting or composed image, a song, or a performance. Art can be in places you don't expect: how your grandmother set a table, the way light catches in a certain room at a certain time of day, the smell of something that sparks a memory. The idea that our very lives can be, and are, a work of art is an important thought to ponder. It then begs the question, how can we create more artistic lives?

Painting knives, also called palette knives, are another option for artists looking to expand their creative toolbox. A painting knife has a number of characteristics that make it an excellent alternative, or companion, to using brushes in your painting.

Artists are like small business owners: at certain times, you will need to wear multiple hats in order to be successful. We must be our own creative experts, our own marketing advisers, our own promoters, organizers, and that doesn't even begin to encompass preparing your work for an exhibition, or to sell to a client. Preparing your artwork for showing is one of the most important parts of being an artist. It is up to you to determine how your work will be seen, and that means finalizing with frames, pedestals, and any other way you prep your work for showing. Let's look at one of the most common, and most important ways to show your two-dimensional work: matting and framing.

One of the wonders of modern civilization is the creation and construction of vast cities. Undulating pathways, towering skyscrapers, beautiful bridges: every large city has its own flavor, its own distinctive look and feel, and one of those distinctive differences is its skyline. Every city skyline has its own character, and every city can be its own source of art. Grab your camera, your sketchbook, and your favorite pens or pencils, and make your next walk through the city a chance to fill your reserves with plenty of inspiration.

"Free" is a word that most artists prefer not to hear. Whether it is a non-profit looking for a donation for an auction to raise money, a private entity wanting original art for a low price, or a company wanting your art in exchange for exposure, no artist wants his or her work to be devalued. Giving away art is usually the opposite of what a professional artist wants to or should do with their work.

If you are looking to get started using encaustic paint in your work, there are some great encaustic sets that provide everything you need to start using this fun and interesting medium, including instructions for how to work with the paint. If you are looking to use the medium for sculpting or texturizing, then be sure you have the right carving tools for the project you envision.

Drafting and mechanical drawing, like many other forms of visual communication, are both an art and a technique. They require specific tools, close attention to detail, and plenty of patience. Technical drawing is a two dimensional representation of how something functions or how something is constructed, and is usually applied in professional uses, like architecture and engineering, but technical drawing can teach artists many things that can be applied in the studio, too.

Humans are naturally flawed beings, and out of the chaos that appears to be our universe, beautiful, happy accidents can occur. But for as much as we might long for those serendipitous moments in life, and in the studio, as practicing artists, we shouldn't rely on the inconsistency of accidents when it comes to our art. Embrace the moments of beauty, of course, but improve and further your work with precise practice.

Happy birthday to Andy Warhol (Aug. 6, 1928 - Feb. 22, 1987). The acclaimed artist and pop culture icon would have been 85 this week. He was especially known for his pop art in the 1960s—art that explored the relationship between celebrity, culture, and advertising. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, his artistic expression came in the form of varied media: drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, silk screening, and even film and music. And yes, he's the guy who said, "In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes." (Did he have a premonition about reality TV?)

Last week we offered Part One of our art tips to get kids involved in art. As we said then, summer is here and the kids are out of school and looking for something to do. Why not get them involved in some art projects? Last week we concentrated primarily on the array of great art supplies for kids offered by Crayola. This week we'll look at some additional products that you might want to consider for this summer and finish up with some tips on how to get children interested in art.