Arts Focus

Getting My Art Out There – 5 Tips to Get Noticed

What's the perennial question that a good half of all artists face?

It's not a lack of inspiration, or the money to sustain oneself. From our survey, It seems that its simply - How do I get noticed?

We realised that a good third of artists (convenient sample group of 50 Asian artists) were not in it get noticed. Their art is for themselves, it's a journal, it's their research and thinking put on canvas. It makes them happy. They have no interest in showing or selling it.

A good half that responded wanted to show it to friends and family. Their art was a commentary of their observations about themselves or their surroundings. Surely, they are happy if someone recognised their work by commenting or as an ultimate compliment - to buy it from them.

If you're an artist, you're taking a big risk in opening your artwork to the public, but the rewards - a good comment, an offer to get represented and recognised, means a lot. As artists ourselves, we understand this.

However, we also realise that beyond your immediate relatives, it's hard to get appreciating eyeballs on your work. Hence, we've put together these 5 quick tips on how you can get your art out there.

1. Start Writing and Publishing

Why write? Isn't everything you need on the art itself? We cannot emphasise the importance in putting your ideas in writing. While you may wish to leave your viewers to interpret your work themselves, writing (giving a good artist statement) provides viewers with a stepping stone to appreciating the finer details of your work. If you do not wish to put your artwork explicitly on paper, it's always good practice to give hints on what you're trying to say or portray.

In a short attention span world, giving good artist statements helps retain the viewer's interest in your work.

2. Attend Events

The bane of most artists we spoke to, attending openings and exhibitions are usually the last thing on your mind. We wouldn't encourage networking if you prefer to focus on your art. But, art dealers and gallery owners usually attend such events and its always good to drop them a name card. Well, some of the most successful artists out there (in terms of sales) are also good business people.

3. Knock on Doors

Many artists out there approach galleries themselves. This is a viable option, but it's always good to show up prepared. A simple picture of your artwork, its details and an artist statement will do the trick. If you don't think you can put a professional looking portfolio, you may also consider looking for an online art platform such as Artyii or Etsy that does this for you. All you need to do is to send galleries your link and viola!

4. Attract Publicity

Do something crazy. We wouldn't recommend this unless you are absolutely sure of the artistic value in your work. Many artists attempt to shock and gain some publicity via the newspapers or bloggers. Putting controversial elements in your work, blowing it up elaborately and working on installations in public places are methods that some artists use. We encourage this - it challenges peoples' perceptions, breaks them out of their routine lives and you may just change the life views of the layman in the process.

5. Go Online

This is your best bet. It's the most convenient, cost effective and if done on the correct website, can bring you at least 100 views a day from around the world. You could create your own blog, but its effectiveness is limited due to the millions of other art blogs out there fighting for attention.

Many people buy art online today and it's a good idea that you could put your artwork or paintings for sale on a platform dedicated to art sales. You may be just one other artist on the platform, but the arts focused traffic such platforms provide are more likely to sieve your work out, especially if Point 1 is done right!

Galleries and other art professional frequent such sites as well, giving you opportunities to get noticed and properly represented. Why approach others when they can approach you?

About the Author

The writer, Nico, is an art marketer at Artyii, an Asian art sales platform. He assists artists in marketing themselves online and handles sales queries from international online arts buyers. He thus is aware of the difficulties artist face when trying to bring their work to an appreciating crowd.

Getting to Know Various of Spain’s Important Historical Structures

If you’re the type of person who is enthralled by a country’s history and cultural heritage, you can probably appreciate the fact that architecture plays a large role in a country’s historical journeys. Spain is one of those countries which have an impressive collection of well-safeguard historical buildings that show off pieces of their history through different structures representative of different eras. In Spain, people who visit its tourist spots would find it quite remarkable that they have somehow succeeded in preserving a lot of its old buildings, a few even dating hundreds of thousands of years back in time; this high regard for history is also pretty descriptive of the character of Spain as a nation.

For tourists, one problem could be that there’s so little time to cover the many ancient buildings that create Spain’s architectural culture. It’s important to know a little bit about the culture itself and what people there would consider to be offensive and respectful; it’s also important to know how to get help when you need it because there’s nothing more difficult than being marooned in a foreign country without knowing who can help you out if you need it. As a tourist in a foreign country, it’s very important that you are able to in any case ask about some things which are important for tourists to know like the location of airports, transportation hubs and the likes; learning how to converse a little Spanish is easy without charge through websites like Rocket Spanish. Rocket Spanish Download can help you learn the Spanish language as it employs various study methods for a very effective learning experience.

If you ask the locals where you can find the oldest architectural structures in Spain, you’ll possibly be headed for toward the Balearic Islands where there are structures dating back thousands of years ago during the Bronze Age. There are many structural designs that indicate how people have already been burying their dead and making tombs for them. The walled villages in Avila and Santa Tecla also show that there was already some kind of path or street system in place during that time; structures in these places are globular in shape and made of stone walls with thatched roofs on top of them and a post in the middle to hold up the thatched roof.

The Roman influence on Spain’s culture and architecture is also very poignant since they also did come under the Roman reign. With the arrival of Roman influences also came the changes in the architectural trends; this was the time when more churches, temples, and cathedrals were constructed, and also when the burial system was transformed. One of the most stable and well-preserved testaments of Roman influence is the Aqueduct of Segovia which still stands so far.

Gothic styles of architecture primary arrived to Spain in the form of some kind of hybrid, a combination of Romanesque and pure Gothic style like the style used in the design of the Cathedral of Avila. The Cathedral of Avila, such as, is considered to be the first Gothic building in the country. For itself, the Cathedral of Avila is considered to be the original cathedral exhibiting Gothic influences in its design.

There are many things that you can understand about a country’s history by looking at the many different types of architectural structures that it has. Furthermore, to be able to see them all, you’ll need to spend several months in the country.

Schools in New Jersey that Focus on the Arts?

What are some day schools (NOT BOARDING) in New Jersey that focus on the arts?

check out 50 states .com and type in Art schools in New Jersey!
It has a listing of schools and on line programs too!

Live from Spartanburg, SC – The Foreign Policy Debate. (Firedoglake)

Well, here we are in Spartanburg, SC for yet another Republican debate (didn't
we just have one?). Hosted by CBS News and the National Journal, Scott Pelley
and Major Garrett will run the show.

Firedoglake

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