Massai Herdsman (Selection) ~ Frances Simpson

One of the great pleasures of being in the art business is the chance to see the work of artists we’re not familiar with from all corners of the world. While there is a lot of good work out there, it is only occasionally we see art that causes us to stop and catch our breath. Such was the case when we first saw the watercolour and mixed media work of  this week’s featured artist, Frances Simpson of Kenya.

In answering one of our questions, Frances commented, “African paintings can be exciting ..not just as a perfect non-moving scene or landscape but in exciting colours showing a flash of life which is how one usually sees things here.” It was precisely that “flash of life” that got our attention with her work – I’ve never been to Kenya, but when I take in Frances’s art I know that I am right there – it is a holographic experience of light, sound, taste, and smell.

We invite you to take a few minutes to experience this beautiful work and feel the vibrant spirit of Africa. More work, and larger images can be found on Frances’s website.

Featured Work

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Bio

Frances Simpson working on location

A Second generation Kenyan, born in the Great Rift Valley, Frances Simpson spent her childhood on a Cattle farm. After studying Music in England she returned to Africa to paint, and now works with her sculptor husband Hugh, from their Studio in Naivasha,Kenya.

Using the earth colours of the African bush, and the vivid pinks,reds ,oranges, and indigo of the Tribal fabrics, Simpson works in Watercolour and mixed media on paper, to represent the rural environment that she lives in. The immediacy of paint, charcoal, ink and natural sand on paper are essential to the movement and life in her paintings.

She is happy to take commissions and is looking forward to updating her Website into an online  worldwide Gallery.

The Art Marketing Secrets Signature 6 Questions

1. What led you to become an artist?

I wanted to return to my home country after studying abroad, and painting was a fantasic way of life and enabled me to earn a living.

2. What happens for you and what do you feel when you are in the creative process?

Time disappears..and yet there is a sense of immediacy and excitement where every actual minute counts in order for the ever changing scene to be transported onto paper..unlike oil painters who can change a painting over days… the watercolorist must make a statement where each emotion or observation captured in line or wash will show  through. Although after this process I will often wonder …”how did I do that?”

3. What is your favorite piece of your own art and why?

Flight In Green ~ Mixed Media On Paper ~ Frances Simpson

Often the newest piece I have painted or drawn.. because of the excitement of seeing it as a whole.. At the moment.. Flight in Green – because it captures the moment in true colour of the flamingo taking off over green water with the elusive flamingo pink randomly apperaing in the painting, and the boldness of the ink lines.

4. What would your perfect artist-life look like?

Painting from dawn to dusk with no interruptions of food or email/ telephone or organising others… probably out in the Bushveld! and a buyer turning up at the end of the day!

5. How are you marketing your art?

Exhibitions twice a year with a limited email list, and commissions in between to whoever turns up at my Studio – word of mouth.

6. What else are you busting to tell the world?

African paintings can be exciting ..not just as a perfect non-moving scene or landscape but in exciting colours showing a flash of life which is how one usually sees things here.

Contact Frances

Website: www.francessimpson.com

So – breathe in the beauty and life in Frances’s work! And if you have comments or just want to express support please do so below. Artists love feedback!

Self Portrait - Myra Rodriguez

In my small universe, being an artist is, first and foremost, a way of seeing life. The results can be expressed in diverse ways – while some artists paint, sculpt, or photograph, others share their artistry through teaching, business, or physical movement. In my experience, there are many people with technical mastery of a craft, but relatively few who have this “way of seeing the world”.

This weeks featured artist, Myra Rodriguez, is a photographer. But aside from her technical skill in working with a camera, she has the gift of artistic vision. I was first captivated by an image she posted on our Facebook page which depicted two chairs in a back yard in Texas (Snowy Lubbock). I instantly saw a whole world – a story – and was fascinated to find out more.

Myra’s gift, in my mind, is this ability to capture a story in each image – as if each was embedded with gigabytes of information just waiting to be told. She is a very interesting person who, while not embracing traditional religion herself, shows us a uniquely spiritual outlook on life through her work. “My art”, she told me, “is like a religion to me”.

For all of these inspiring reasons we chose Myra Rodriguez as this weeks featured artist. Please enjoy her work and share your thoughts in the comments below.

Featured Work

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Bio

Professional Photographer, Myra Rodriguez, has been shooting professionally for more than 15 years. Starting very young, Myra’s Images have been seen at Texas Tech University, both the Fine Arts, and the South West Collection, The Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts, Buddy Holly Center, Toronado Gallery, and the Garden and Arts Fine Arts Center. Myra has also won numerous scholastic awards and magazine covers plus several T-Shirt designs. Myra attended the prestigious Brooks Institute of Photography class of ’05. Myra has since dedicated her life to imagery, generously filling albums with love and passion.

The Art Marketing Secrets Signature 6 Questions

BUFU - The very first image 14-year old Myra processed, developed and presented to her father 18 years ago

1. What led you to become an artist?

My father is terminally ill and picked up photography as a way to deal with it. He went from being a roughneck in the oilfields to becoming a fine artist. I witnessed a pending death and a sudden rebirth at the same time. I was only ten years old. Death has become a mainstay in my life. I neither fear it nor run from it, I only accept it and understand it is as basic as it is certain. However, the life that presented itself was completely new and exciting. I watched my father begin demonstrating photography to my brother, and was told that it was for boys only, all the chemicals were really dangerous and stinky. I never stopped watching and eventually did it all by myself. Reading and hiding out in corners paid off because at 14, I processed my own film & developed my own images. And when I presented them to my dad, he said, “I’ve been teaching the wrong kid.” That was 18 years ago. I was able to shoot, and present myself as a professional photographer, while other girls were having quinceneras, I was shooting them. Art saved my Dad’s life, even though he will still die, he started a whole new afterlife for me. Along with the coming of a mourned life, I have a great life, thanks to my fathers disguised blessing. Becoming an artist was the fun part, I shunned religion, excelled in academics, and was highly encouraged in Art. When I say shunned, I mean it in the nicest way possible. I just simply couldn’t accept blind faith, when death was anything but blind. Death and religion are opposites in my opinion. As I stated before, Death is absolute, although inanimate, it will present itself in front of you at some point or another. I highly revere religion, and its romantic notion of the afterlife. I incorporate that longing in my work. It’s pretty heavy Jesus & Family, it’s a beautiful way to believe and live, but when the dust settles, it is still unlikely. Not wrong, just not my answer.

2. What happens for you and what do you feel when you are in the creative process?

I find the light, judge the light, then manipulate it for my vision. I can shoot anywhere and turn it into a dream-scape or nightmare. I don’t do it on purpose, maybe subconscious, but I try to evoke emotion. Sadness, anger, humiliation, humor, happiness, confusion, anything. I do so because that’s what people remember, its what I remember. Like a memory you can’t shake. Or a past life that was only a few years ago. I overcompensate when I create and Love, my two constants in life. I put a lot of pressure, like my life depends on it. I love to see an image that hurts to look at it. Underlying symbolism, religious icons, children, windows, doors, light or lack thereof, an empty chair, or a triggered pain. Things that hurt, even when we don’t really know why it hurts so much. Everyone always remembers what hurts them. All packaged in a beautiful image.

Neon Mary - Myra Rodriguez

3. What is your favorite piece of your own art and why?

Hands down, “Neon Mary”. It is La Virgen De Guadalupe, lit with red Christmas lights. Unable to see the face or body she is a silhouette of her body seen through her “Jesus” rays. A building in shadow is the background in front of a painfully blue sky. The only colors seen are blue, red and black. The fact that her face is hidden in plain sight is so frightening and calming at the same time. The black building is a buffer between the bright blue sky. The one piece of symbolism that I find humorous is the Antenna on the building. It symbolizes to me what antennas are supposed to do, put things in focus. But we cant see her face!!! Yet she’s there, and is quite powerful. Also the color red, usually held for less than stellar, in religious terms, so it is a farce to see her draped in red. Only symbolically. Otherwise, it makes no difference. Also its not photo-shopped – hardly anything I do is. I have my moments, but mainly all in camera.

4. What would your perfect artist-life look like?

My husband is a muralist, painter, & full time tattoo artist. He makes good, stable money, even in economic woes, people still need their ink. I am lucky enough to not have to clock in and get to stay and raise the boy. I do however, run my own business. Myra’s Images is a complete and total dedication in my life. Along with my husbands business, we are self-sustainable. I love my job, I love the people I photograph, and I love the new people I meet. The only thing I would change as of yet, is the ability to gain trust to break the mold that is “studio” photography. Even “on Location” shoots are starting to look like the others. I offer Fine Art, and would love to change what you expect out of a portrait session. Lets look at your child in a different light, ha, every pun intended. Because, after all, the light is going to change the mood, therefore creating a portrait with Fine Art credibility. I am an artist first and a commercial photographer second. You get the two for one special every time.

5. How are you marketing your art?

Marketing Fine Art is harder because people assume it is too expensive. So I began marketing my prices instead. While I believe that the Fine Art portion of the deal is priceless, I will not charge high prices. A lot of my photographer friends believe that I am just giving it away, and I kinda am, but I am lucky and feel that the least I can to is offer affordable images. In a town where studio sessions are cheap, and higher, more expensive photographers are well, high and expensive, there needs to be a happy medium where “excellence meets affordable”. Not everything amazing in life needs to be expensive. I am self taught with a later education at Brooks Institute of Photography. I know expensive, but where I come from, and I am extremely proud of my little barrio. Fine Art should be available to the masses – not to only those who can afford it. Word of mouth, is helpful, so is volunteering. Not normal charity work, but your own thing. For example, every year I shoot HubCity Tattoo & BikeFest for free, only if they want a CD I charge for the CD only, like wholesale, not art prices. After four years of doing that, I am their go-to photographer and graphic artist. My name is plastered on posters and T-shirts, all because I wanted to shoot for free. I also do my own photo shoots and production is crazy – models, lights, the works, so now when part of the crew wants photos of their family they know where to go.

6. What else are you busting to tell the world?

Support your local artists! I believe creative genius is going to save our economy. Think outside that studio box and trust me when I say this is going to be amazing. Let me find the light, no flash needed, maybe just a reflector or two. TRUST ME.

Contact Myra

Website: www.myrasimages.webs.com

We invite you to share your thoughts on Myra and her work in the comments below.

Homage (Humanoid) - Dustin Wallace

Something a little different for you from this weeks featured artist, Dustin Wallace!

Continuing our current them of authenticity in art, Dustin is the real deal – pursuing his true passion in a unique medium bridging art and entertainment so that they are inseparable.

We found Dustin – or he found us – I can’t remember which it was – through Twitter. The thing which struck me when I first looked at his work was the creativity and uniqueness and fun! Part of me thought some of his pieces would go well in an art museum – while the rest of me was like a kid feeling this great sense of wonder and wishing I could just get my hands on Dustin’s creatures and play with them for a while!

Dustin is connected in a genuine way to a powerful creative source. It shows in his work – the uniqueness of vision, the creativity, and not to be forgotten – the fine craftsmanship demonstrated in his pieces. That is why we chose him as this week’s featured artist.

Take a few minutes to stop and really absorb Dustin’s work and story. I know that he takes a lot of care with how he puts words together and I think that when you read his bio and the answers to the AMS questions it will reveal much to you about this interesting artist.

Please enjoy Dustin’s work and share your thoughts in the comments.

Featured Work

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Dustin Wallace

Bio

Dustin Wallace grew up in a small farm town in Texas. It consisted mostly of a cotton gin, a school, a mechanic shop (his father’s), a post office and several farmers trying to eek a living out of the very soil they lived on. There was only one stop sign in town. It was a place you probably went through to go somewhere else. The town still exists, but most people have moved away to find a life in another place, just as Dustin did. As a child, Dustin thought that there must be something more, something else to find in this world.  In order to keep himself entertained as an only child he was deeply involved with building Legos and watching several classics such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Transformers and even Dino Riders. Creativity has always been a major part of his life along with being inspired by entertainment media.

After graduating high school Dustin attended college and achieved his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture, learning not only sculpture, but ceramics, jewelry, printmaking, photography and graphic design.  After college, Dustin received the honor of working with the renowned granite sculptor Jesús Moroles.  Since apprenticing with Jesús, Dustin has been working as a machinist and draftsman for a local company by day, and creating art by night.

Artist Statement

It has always been a belief of mine that commercial art and entertainment media is as valid an art form as any high art you might see in a museum. They might be different genres than a Picasso or the Sistine Chapel, but the origination is always creativity and the artistic spirit. Movies, television, video games, and comic books are all valid art forms in my mind. I think these entertainment mediums are only as passive as the viewer.

Inspiration comes from many places for me including sources from honored art history and my influences as a child from entertainment media. I draw from these inspirations to create something honest and nostalgic. Childhood innocence and imagination are revered and longed for when a person becomes older. My goal is to inspire nostalgia by creating my own world while using materials and methods that have been phased out by the cheaper alternatives in our culture. The artisan and craftsman are becoming a lost art and should be valued. In my mind, quality is of vast importance and in lieu of instant gratification I think we as a culture have lost touch with this.

Sentry - Full Assembly

The Art Marketing Secrets Signature 6 Questions

1. What led you to become an artist?

I have always been a creative person, I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t.  As soon as I could hold a pair of pliers and scissors I was making things in my living room while I watched cartoons.  I frequently made messes in the living room and I should probably thank my parents for not getting angry with me for having a permanent studio in the floor from age 5. I first made a conscious decision to become an artist when I graduated high school and had the freedom to choose what I wanted for my life. I feel like I have always and will always be an artist in some way.

2. What happens for you and what do you feel when you are in the creative process?

I am at home in the creative process. I feel consumed, and happy, like I am pouring myself out into a physical manifestation of my thoughts and feelings.  It is my outlet and my therapy.

3. What is your favorite piece of your own art and why?

It might sound egotistical, but I love all of my work at this point and time.  Even the old work that I wasn’t satisfied with led me to where I am. It is all important to me in some way. One thing I have been extremely stubborn about is making the subject matter that I enjoy, not someone else. I truly want to be honest in my creation, so in the end I feel good about it whether it is my finest masterpiece or a stepping stone.

4. What would your perfect artist-life look like?

My perfect artist life would be waking up everyday and having the ability  (no day job) to make my work. I always have the mental image of walking outside my house to my shop where I have coffee brewing in the morning and classical music playing while I gather myself for a day of doing what I love. This life would include having enough money to be comfortable and maintain all the equipment I need to accomplish my goals.

5. How are you marketing your art?

I am a member of any social networking site I can manage the time to keep up. I am currently have my own website at www.dustinwallace.org and I am also on Facebook, Twitter, Myspace, Deviant Art, MyArtspace, Blogspot, Vox, WordPress, Etsy…etc. I don’t know how well any of it works, but I think anything helps.

6. What else are you busting to tell the world?

I am always in need of help and resources. Currently I am in need of a mini lathe and a table top mill in order to continue with my work the way it needs to progress. Advice, donations, or any help are always welcomed at www.dustinwallace.org

Contact Dustin

Website: www.dustinwallace.org

Twitter: @dustinewallace (note there is an “e” in the middle)

Please share your thoughts on Dustin and his work in the comments below. And take a look at his website to get the bigger picture of this very interesting artist.

Freed Spirit - Tanya Mikaela

We’ve been having some very talented artists contact us recently at Art Marketing Secrets. One of them is this weeks featured artist, Tanya Mikaela.

I can best describe my feelings about Tanya’s work by my experience today. It was – in all honesty – one of those days that we all have periodically! I had a mountain of marketing work to do and it was just too much to even think about. On top of that I knew that I also had to prepare this article – a task that I normally love to do – but today it was like the straw that broke the camel’s back!

After many hours of doing everything else I finally sat down and started work on the article. I was in the midst of resizing some of Tanya’s images in Photoshop when I found myself looking into the deeply smiling eyes of Mother Teresa in Tanya’s collage, “With Great Love”. It was one of those moments when you truly connect with a great piece of art. She was smiling at me, and I was smiling back. The stress of the day melted in a moment and I found myself swept up in a symphony of rich experience.

That is the power and awareness that art can bring in any age and that is also why we chose Tanya Mikaela as this week’s featured artist.

I am sure that you will have a range of different experiences with her work, but for me her gift is the ability to portray the beauty and strength of the feminine principle.  There is also a deeply meditative quality in her work, and a strong undercurrent of compassion.

Last week we specifically asked you to look at Zeph Farmby’s answer to the question, “What would your perfect artist’s life look like?” because it was such a great answer. Well – its possible that Tanya has outdone him! I would be very happy to enjoy her version of the perfect artist’s life as she describes it below in Question 4. Please enjoy Tanya’s work and share your thoughts in the comments.

Featured Work

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Tanya Mikaela

Bio

Tanya Mikaela grew up in an environment where her artistic talent was both appreciated and encouraged.  Surrounded by artists, inventors and creative thinkers in a thriving artists community in Connecticut, she was exposed to a wide variety of artistic mediums throughout her childhood.  Of this she took full advantage, exploring not only the visual arts, but immersing herself in dance and theater as well.

Tanya attended Syracuse University, and went on to receive her BFA from Parsons School of Design in New York.  It was at Parsons, in an attempt to free her artistic voice that a visionary professor encouraged her to experiment with collage, which soon became her medium of choice. By tearing paper and applying it to canvas as a painter would apply strokes of paint she found a freedom of expression that has continued to evolve over the years.

While living the artist’s life in the East Village (showing in galleries, communing with fellow artists, eating pasta with cheap wine in a rent-controlled apartment) she married actor Al Rodrigo beneath a star show in a planetarium on the Hudson River.  With their wedding “nest-egg” in tow they traveled throughout Italy and Greece, gathering wonderful and creative ideas along the way.  The couple eventually returned to New York and sold their possessions to buy a car, which they drove cross-country in search of sunlight and adventure.

Now living the artist’s life in L.A., Tanya continued to create and show her collages, while her latent passion for interior design quickly became a thriving career.  Over the years, Tanya has designed homes, furnishings, and unique living spaces for many of Hollywood’s notables.  She recently completed her most personal project to date – designing and building a dream home for her family, which now includes two fantastically creative daughters, Maya and Daniela and their dog Bodhi.

It is here in her Treetop Artist Studio that Tanya has finally returned her creative focus to her collages, and she is thrilled beyond measure! Environmentally conscious, each and every collage is comprised of “found materials”, old magazines newspapers and more, which she then crafts into highly textural and passionate works of art. As an artist, Tanya Mikaela is pleased to be a continuing and dedicated part of the Green Movement on this planet.

The Art Marketing Secrets Signature 6 Questions

1. What led you to become an artist?

Everything in my world led me to become an artist! I had the amazing good fortune to be born into a family of artists and art appreciators. They taught me that I was capable of anything I put my mind and heart into. My father was a brilliant, creative man whose motto’s were “why buy it when you can make it yourself” and “there is no such thing as “ I can’t” ”. Though often frustrating, this empowered me to use my imagination, to try new things and think outside the box. I was also fortunate enough to be born at a time when art in schools was still revered, and had teachers who were inspirational and allowed me to explore! I have always been happiest when involved in a creative project of some kind, and my greatest pleasure comes from creating beauty all around me…on a canvas as well as in my surroundings!

The Dream - Tanya Mikaela

2. What happens for you and what do you feel when you are in the creative process?

The creative process for me looks and feels like many things: exhilaration, frustration, avoidance, inspiration, procrastination (fear of the blank canvas), meditation, dancing, reading, day-dreaming, walking in nature, snuggling my dog, letting the sun warm my eyelids…  All of this and more must happen for me in order to fill my soul and let it flow back out again onto my canvas. It is not direct, nor is it linear and I know much of it doesn’t look at all like making art but all of it is necessary! Then, in my sacred space filled with sun and music and good energy I can surrender and create, and it feels like I am home. I know enough now to prepare and plan and then let my art be what it wants to be. The collage technique I create with is very forgiving and allows me the freedom to tear and to continuously layer the paper until the image fully reveals itself. My collages are always most successful when I can just “get out of my own way” and let them evolve as they will. It is a very organic process for me, making art. It is the most grounding and soul-satisfying thing I can do!

3. What is your favorite piece of your own art and why?

There are two pieces; “Freed Spirit” and “With Great Love”. The first has become my signature piece and is used in my logo. It is a self-portrait that really captures how I feel when I create. The second collage I did earlier this year after reading a book about Mother Teresa. I was working on a series of great leaders who have created change in our world. This piece just makes me happy!  I love her crinkly face, her smile and the joy and wisdom in her eyes. Note: “Freed Spirit” is the image at the top of this article and “With Great Love” is in the slide show.

4. What would your perfect artist-life look like?

Ah…I am working on manifesting that!! Well, in my perfect vision I have the freedom to spend my days making my art and feeling blissful (of course this means that I have a fabulous art rep to do all the marketing and negotiating so I am free to do what I do best). My financial needs are easily met from simply making my art and I have plenty of time to enjoy my family, to travel, to spend quality time with my amazing and artistic friends and to inspire each other creatively. In my vision I summer in Tuscany or Provence with family and friends, making art and enjoying sumptuous food and wine, and I also travel to my New York loft where I continue to create, soak up culture, eat delicious food and enjoy friends. As for my main residence, I am fortunate enough to say that I do love my home in L.A. (I spent many years visualizing this into my reality) where I have a fantastic studio to create in, so that part is already perfect!  Also, in my vision I am giving back to the art community, funding arts programs in the schools and inspiring young artists to find their voice and make their dreams a reality.

5. How are you marketing your art?

I am experimenting with a variety of ways to market my art: my website: www.tanyamikaela.com , mailers to galleries, juried contests and exhibitions, online gallery sites for artists and artist directories, local gallery shows, artist groups and press releases. I just took a seminar on licensing art for the giftware market, so I am now exploring that as well. I also need to give enormous thanks to Daniel, whose “Art Marketing Secrets” blog is my go-to source for new marketing ideas!

6. What else are you busting to tell the world?

I really believe that everything happens for a reason! We can’t see the big picture so we just have to go out on faith and say “Yes” to all the opportunities that come our way, no matter how crazy or daunting they seem. I can honestly say the best things that life has handed me have never looked like what I expected them to, but have always been better than I could have imagined!! This year has been about saying “yes” for me. I closed my interior design business after 13 years to follow my passion and devote as much time as I am able to making my art (this was incredibly scary, and I am beyond grateful for the support and encouragement of my family through it all). Because I just said “yes” to it all, I have received 12 top art awards, my collage of Obama was included in the Manifest Hope show in DC for the inauguration and is now part of a fantastic book by Shepard Fairy “Art for Obama”, I am working on ideas for a series of children’s books with a writer friend who wants to collaborate, and I am planning a solo show of my collages at a huge spiritual center in LA this spring to coincide with earth day. The best part is that I am more grounded and centered than I have been in years…life is good!

Contact Tanya

Website: www.tanyamikaela.com

Please share your thoughts on Tanya and her work in the comments below. And take a look at her beautiful website for some inspiration!

Flash - Zeph Farmby

An artist who has both talent and authenticity is a powerful symbol in any age. When I experience such an artist it is like a big “ah-ha” moment for me – as if all the dots in the universe connect together momentarily to open a door into the true source of creativity.

Such was my experience when I first visited the website of Zeph Farmby. Zeph left a comment on our article, “To Sell Art You Need A Great Story”, and I clicked through to his website to take a look. I landed on his “about” page which consisted of a fascinating series of questions and answers with the artist. It was a very creative and compelling way to communicate his story.

I felt a quickening of my heart – a surge of adrenaline and excitement in a very zen sort of way when I first looked at Zeph’s work. The life-force in the characters in his paintings and drawings is palpable – as if they are living breathing beings right in front of our eyes. El Greco may be living today in Chicago!

We chose Zeph Farmby as this week’s featured artist because we love his work and his story – period. Be sure to read his answer to question 4 below – it is a beautiful thing!

Featured Work

Note: Use the slide-show controls to pause or go to a specific image. Mouse over the images to see details about the artwork.

Bio

Born on December 13, 1978 Zeph Farmby has been creating unique pieces of art as far back as he can remember. Early works of his graffiti style continue to show up in newer pieces. Unique and creative pieces of original works are for sale and can be found in galleries and clothing stores across the United States and online.

After attending the American Academy of Art in Chicago, Illinois, Zeph continued to perfect his skill through teaching and coaching young artists in Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Today, Zeph’s art serves as the foundation of major clothing lines such as “2 Much Game Sports Wear”, “Original AFRO Wear”, “PHLI”, and “Sneaker Fiend Tees”.

I AMAZE EYEZ is solely owned by Zeph and provides an umbrella for his various arms of talent.

Zeph Farmby

The Art Marketing Secrets Signature 6 Questions

1. What led you to become an artist?

Being an artist is in my genes. I remember doodling even as a child, more than what was considered “normal”. I have older brothers who were into art years ago but aren’t anymore. Seeing my brothers’ drawings really inspired me to pursue art. To jump years ahead, I began to take advanced art classes in High School which continued to feed my passion for the field. At the time, most of my inspiration came from graffiti and magazine illustrations. I quickly decided on a career as an Illustrator for mainstream magazines. During my college years I played more with oil and other mediums, including graphics. Soon after graduating from college I created I-Amaze-Eyez Studios. “I-Amaze-Eyez”, is the brand that houses all of my projects.

2. What happens for you and what do you feel when you are in the creative process?

I really zone out. Nothing else exists. I’m completely entrenched in the project I’m focusing on. During this process I tend to get an overwhelming feeling that nothing can stop me from expressing what I have envisioned for that particular piece.

The-R - Zeph Farmby

3. What is your favorite piece of your own art and why?

I have an attachment to all of my creations but since I can only choose one, I would say it’s “The R” painting. It embodies everything from my past to my present with my skill in art. It showcases several layers of song lyrics and graffiti. Graffiti has always been an influence for me and “Rakim” is one of my favorite Hip-Hop emcees. This painting was on display at the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago for the “Black Creativity” show for about 6 months. This was the first time my work was accepted by any museum.

4. What would your perfect artist-life look like?

The perfect artist-life would be where art replaces sports! Art should be at the forefront, everywhere! Everyone would recognize Art and have a really good understanding of what it takes to be creative. The perfect artist-life would also include my style of art being the most sought after art work in the world. All new clients would know exactly what they want without having to make tons of changes. Art supplies would be sold at cheaper prices and Steve Jobs of Apple computers would update my computer years before it’s made available to the general public. Adobe would have a studio next door to mine. My studio would look like a warehouse of unlimited supplies and all of the best paintbrushes. I’d have glass walls filled with all of my favorite spray paint and I’d create my own colors by mixing paints… This is a really good question by the way, I could talk about this all day.

5. How are you marketing your art?

I market via art shows (both solo and group) and referrals from past clients. Over the past 2 years I’ve focused more on marketing my work via my web site (www.i-amaze-eyez.com) and social networking sites. I recently hired a Marketing student to take on some of the marketing duties for my brand, I-Amaze-Eyez.

6. What else are you busting to tell the world?

Please visit my website, www.i-amaze-eyez.com. I would also like the world to know that I’ve been working on a coffee table book, which will be a collection of my work. I’m focusing more on making Zeph Farmby and “I Amaze Eyez” a household name.

Contact Zeph

Website: www.i-amaze-eyez.com

Please share your thoughts on Zeph and his work in the comments below. And take a look at his “about” page for some inspiration!

Back in July of this year we received a brief but interesting email. “This is good”, announced the title. I ignored it for a while expecting that it was a sales pitch from yet another internet “entrepreneur”, but eventually I gave in and opened the email. It was in fact a lovely note from Lee Robinsong and his wife Patty – they had just happened upon our website and appreciated our original content and had written to tell us so. Lovely – as a New Zealander would say!

Intrigued by the old-world charm and generosity of the note, I surfed over to Lee’s beautiful website and found myself absorbed in his many “circulist” images which depict the natural world through the lens of his artist’s eye. I was also very engaged by the image of Lee presented on the website – I found myself thinking, “I wish I could sit on that seat with him with a glass of good wine and find out what makes him smile so happily!”

On that topic, artists please take note: In yesterday’s feature article we discussed the importance of a high-quality artist bio and photo in communicating an understanding of the artist and their work. Lee’s website is a great example of image and story woven together very creatively to make us want to know more.

We chose Lee as our featured artist for this week because his  “circulist” style and realization shows a very unique interpretation of the beauty and life on our planet – and also because his life demonstrates the lifelong commitment to art representative of a true artist. Lee also appears to be having a wonderful time being an artist – and we can all learn from that!

We welcome your comments on Lee and his work at the end of this article. Website and contact details can also be found at the end of the article.

Featured Work

Note: Use the slide-show controls to pause or go to a specific image. Mouse over the images to see details about the artwork.

Bio

Lee Robinsong was born in Germany in 1955. Raised in a British diplomatic family, he lived in Chile, Switzerland, Algeria, Ethiopia and England, before settling in Canada in 1973.

Lee was a student of the late Sir Kyffin Williams RA, the Welsh landscape painter, and Anthony Green RA, the renowned contemporary British painter, at Highgate School, London. After completing further studies in fine arts and graphic design in Winnipeg, Manitoba, he became the art director for the Greenpeace Chronicles, Canada’s first environmental publication.

Lee at work in the studio - Early 1980s

In 1980, Lee moved to British Columbia’s Cortes Island, where he co-founded the Hollyhock Retreat Centre and began to paint full time. Here he refined his signature “Circulist” style. Influenced by the Cubist perspectives of Picasso and Braque, and the Cree teachings of the Medicine Wheel, Circulism ties together the belief that you can view an object from every direction simultaneously and that everyone views the same object differently. Lee’s Circulist paintings offer the viewer a subjective, holistic view of the natural world.

Over a thirty-year period, Lee created 35 Circulist pieces portraying the beauty and power of landscapes in British Columbia’s Desolation Sound and in Glastonbury, England. Many of these circles were painted in Hollyhock’s Raven building, which was once his studio. Lee’s works are now included in collections across Canada, the US and Europe.

Lee Robinsong lives in Victoria, BC, with his wife Patty Loveridge. He has two daughters, Erin and Kaeli Robinsong.

The Art Marketing Secrets Signature 6 Questions

1. What led you to become an artist?

I grew up in a British diplomatic family, which meant that we moved from country to country, from continent to continent every four years. Growing up in such a manner, life was a fleeting affair, with home and friends ever changing. Making art was an attempt to record the sense of belonging; to make sense of what I saw, smelt and felt, rather like keeping a visual diary. By the time I was eighteen, I had lived in Germany, Chile, Switzerland, Algeria, Ethiopia and Canada. To this day I feel compelled to make an obsessively detailed visual record of my home.

2. What happens for you and what do you feel when you are in the creative process?

Painting for me is a lifelong affair. I often liken the process to that of composing a symphony. I come across a place that feels compelling. I find myself returning to that place in different seasons and time of day. The journey of painting begins with the building of the stretcher and preparation of the canvas. Once the painting process begins , it is as though the painting does me. Like meditation, I have to overcome all the inner voices and feelings that would distract me. These circular paintings can take up to five months to complete, so once the difficulty of distraction dissipates, I move into a place of deep satisfaction as the process unfolds.

Lee with "Un Jardin a Ben Aknoun, El Dzayer, 1966"

3. What is your favorite piece of your own art and why?

This summer I completed a painting that was an extreme challenge, one that I have long waited to produce. The painting is called, ” Un Jardin a Ben Aknoun , El Dzayer, 1966″. In 1966, as a boy of eleven, I lived in an old magnificent Moorish Villa in the country just outside Algiers in Algeria. It was a powerful time of puberty, when I was starting to make sense of my world. Later in life the place haunted me to the point of obsession. I had a few faded photos, and from those and many discussions with my siblings and parents, managed to put together a complete detailed picture of that place at that time. I had to establish a time of year, time of day and what kind of plants and trees grew in the garden. The only ones who could verify the accuracy of my vision were my family, who were quite affected by the completed work. It was like retrieving and honoring an important part of my life. (Editor’s note: “Un jardin a Ben Aknoun, El Dzayer 1966″ has been accepted into the prestigious Sidney Fine Art Show. The show runs Friday, October 16 to Sunday, October 18 at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney.)

4. What would your perfect artist-life look like?

I’m at a point in my life and my art that I realize that this is it. I create paintings in a manner that a trades person plies a trade and craft; it’s what I do.

5. How are you marketing your art?

In my twenties thirties and early forties, I lived on a remote rural Island between the mainland and north Vancouver Island. I was part of a small group that started a retreat centre that became very successful. People came from all over the continent to take workshops or retreats. To my surprise, I sold pretty much every work I made selling them off the wall at the center and never gave much thought to the concept of marketing. Now in my fifties, I live in the small town of Victoria, and I’ve had to completely reinvent the way I sell art. Fortunately I have a partner who is incredibly supportive of this art thing I do, and  together we started a company that produces limited edition reproductions of my work and cards which we sell through retailers here in Victoria. Next spring I will focus on marketing the work in Vancouver. Marketing has turned out to be the larger part of what it means to be a self supporting artist. One cannot underestimate the value of the lowly art card sale; each one represents a seed that goes out into the world. I’ve found that having a website is critical to the new marketing, not so much as a direct sale device, but rather as a reference accessible world wide.

6. What else are you busting to tell the world?

A simple message; keep your eyes open – life is a fleeting affair. Support the Arts whenever you can.

ContactLee

Website: www.leerobinsong.ca

At an opening in the trail we came across a photographer setting up for a shot. I noticed he was using a Hasselblad camera and quick as a flash, all my bear fears went flying out the window as I watched him work. A Hasselblad is like a monument to the best of the best for me – I’ve never used one but the quality of the camera together with the whole mystique of all the famous artists who have used them has a special place in my life.

We spent some time chatting with Marc while he was setting up – enjoying both the conversation and that palpable feeling of happiness you feel watching an artist at work.

We chose Marc as our featured artist for this week because his photography communicates the power and beauty of nature’s moods in a way that is accessible to all people. We hope you enjoy his work too and very much appreciate your comments at the end of this feature. If you would like to contact Marc his website details are included at the end of the article.

Featured Work

Note: Use the slide-show controls to pause or go to a specific image. Mouse over the images to see details about the artwork.

Bio

Marc Jennings spent his early years on a farm in Washington state -  an ideal location to explore, hike, and climb the wilds of the Canadian Rockies, Glacier National Park, and the rugged Northwest Coast.

At 13, an uncle gave him an old German-built AGFA Record folding camera which he had been planning to discard. Marc loved the camera and quickly immersed in its simple technology to create a series of monochrome landscapes of Western Glacier Park. He entered one of the photos is a local photography competition and won first prize. Marc says that was the first time that he experienced an absolute sense of certainty about something – when he first saw that photograph, he knew that the first prize was his.

Marc continued his photography through school and went on to complete a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography. He now focuses on color landscapes of Ocean Waves, Desert, Clouds, and Mountains, and his work has been featured in many shows and galleries in Washington State and British Columbia.

Artist Statement

My artistic discipline as a photographer is based around minimalism. I strive to execute only a few images each day – this challenges me to search for the subject, color, structure and composition which will give the most poignant moment on film.

Dancing Wave (Molokai) - Marc Jennings 2004

Over the years I have gravitated to four areas of specialty with my work – Desert, Ocean Waves, Clouds, and Mountains. Each represents a personal passion and together they form complete mosaic of earths landscape.

I work mainly with medium format film and 35mm digital cameras and with very little extra equipment – I am often wilderness hiking and camping as I work and therefore need to travel as light as possible. I avoid using  filters as I want my work to show the true nature of life, not a stylized interpretation. Similarly, I do not in any way manipulate the images digitally after the initial shot.

Growing up in the wilds of Washington State gave me an appreciation of landscape and wilderness from an early age.  I hope that my work will allow more people to experience nature’s wisdom, even if they are unable to travel there in person.

The Art Marketing Secrets Signature 6 Questions

1. What led you to become an artist?

From the very first moment I picked up the Agfa folding camera that my uncle gave me as a child I was hooked . That camera became an extension of me and I was always seeing life through its lens. My life made sense for the first time.

2. What happens for you and what do you feel when you are in the creative process?

I’ve been doing this for a while now so many of the technical details and camera settings have become second nature to me – like how driving a car becomes almost automatic. That allows me to really immerse in the moments I am capturing on film. The best way I can describe the creative process for me is that its like a beautiful dance – I’m watching and moving with the landscapes I photograph until the perfect moment arrives like a gentle kiss.

3. What is your favorite piece of your own art and why?

Surprisingly that’s easy! “Clouds Over Wyoming 1″ has been my favorite for a long time. I shot that image back in 2004 after spending 3 weeks camping in Grand Teton National Park. I love this image for two reasons:  (1) I think it’s a particularly beautiful and powerful rendition of clouds, and (2) It instantly transports me to a very happy time in my own life.

4. What would your perfect artist-life look like?

I probably have very close to what I would think of as the perfect artist life – at least for me. I’ve been fortunate to be able to maintain a fairly low living cost (good training as a kid!) and that means that I can live comfortably on the sales of my work. As a result I can focus most of my attention on my work and on extending myself into new creative challenges.

5.How are you marketing your art?

I use my website (www.marcjennings.net) as a general all-purpose brochure when I tell people about my work. However most of my sales go to a few regular clients who have been collecting my photography for several years. The most important thing is keeping in regular contact with them to update them about my latest work.

6.What else are you busting to tell the world?

I really care about nature and the powerful healing effects it can have in all our lives. I honestly believe that most people’s problems and illnesses would fade away if they would just spend more quality time in the wilds of our pristine national and state parks.

Because of my experiences with nature and the value it holds for all of us I am very concerned to see that many of our national and state parks are being neglected and under-funded. These parks are a great legacy left for us by a group of visionary people including Roosevelt,  Gifford Pinchot, and several others. These men understood that power and money are gifts to be used wisely for the betterment of mankind and the National and State Parks are a great tribute to their vision.

Please make use of your state and national parks and tell your senators and members of federal and state congress that you expect them to fully support and fund the parks systems!

Contact Marc

Website: www.marcjennings.net

"Lifescape" - Rick Clarence, 2008

We were first introduced to Rick Clarence’s work when his wife and business partner Laray approached us to create a website to showcase his art.

Based in Austin, Texas, Rick works in acrylic and in mixed media collage combining acrylic, tempera, ink, pastel, and paper in various combinations.

I always enjoy reviewing the work of every new client we work with – each has their own unique style and vision. Rick’s art moved me in a way that I have only felt before with the work of icons like Georgia O’keeffe, Jackson Pollock, and Mark Rothko. His paintings and collages have a life of their own.

We chose Rick as our featured artist for this week because his work reminds us of what it means to be a true artist – to adventure into the worlds of creativity and bring back experiences we can all feel, enjoy, and grow from. We hope you enjoy his work too and very much appreciate your comments at the end of this feature. If you would like to contact Rick his website and twitter details are included at the end of the article.

Featured Work

Note: Use the slide-show controls to pause or go to a specific image. Mouse over the images to see details about the artwork.

Bio

Rick is a very private, family oriented man. He lives in South Central Austin, Texas where every day thinking out of the box is the norm. Using Texas as home-base, he has traveled much of the USA, Western Europe, the Caribean, Mexico and Central America. On each trip he has made new friends, enjoyed the art, fishing, and cuisine, and the sharing of the experience with family and extended family.

On these adventures Rick’s dreams are stimulated and a creative recharge takes place – and this is usually followed by prolific painting.

Rick has an American bulldog named Lulu Belle who accompanies him to the Pedernales River to run, kayak, fish, swim, hike, and to reflect on the life and death that surrounds the canyon lands. This is his refuge and main creative source.

Rich is also a master gardener, gourmet chef, and has a sense of humor much enjoyed by his family and friends!

Artist Statement

Marc Chagall stated that “Color is all. When color is right. Form is right. Color is everything. Color is vibration like music: everything is vibration.”

For the past years I have been working in my studio, creating a direct painting method using mixed media: acrylics, inks and collage paper assemblages. This method allows me to broaden my palette creating images of vibrant color for the observer.

The transition of edges is central to my work; breaking out of the static image into simultaneous compositions that transcribe reality by infusing surreal dream images and esoteric commentaries.

Some of the paintings have a simple composition; some are chaotic with multiple images. The simultaneous forms are apparent to each person depending on what emotions, beliefs and expectations the individual perceives. These images can appear to transform with changes in the light and may reveal themselves over time.

My art style is influenced by Contemporary, Abstract, Impressionism, Expressionism, Surrealism, Modern, Paintings, Collage and Mythical Fantasy Art.

The Art Marketing Secrets Signature 6 Questions

1. What led you to become an artist?

This is hard to answer because i have been an artist since childhood. My mother, Rose, was enthusiastic with each painting or drawing I did as a child. Being an artist may have saved my life during the Vietnam war: I was chosen to be a map maker rather than being sent to combat. The act of creating art has been an integral part of my family life and continues to be so.

2. What happens for you and what do you feel when you are in the creative process?

I can’t explain what causes the creative urge. Usually the process starts with a spark of thought that unfolds as I am working. It is unusual for me to have a preset plan. I try to be in a state of flow or oneness where shapes take on form. Most of the time I am unaware of what forms will appear and am frequently surprised.

3. What is your favorite piece of your own art and why?

For me the favorite piece of art is the one most recently completed.  Why? The painting that I’m working on or have just completed is still the focus of my attention and is the closest to me  at the moment.

4. What would your perfect artist-life look like?

First I don’t look for a perfect artist-life. It is the imperfections of life that add the color and cadence. The closest that I can imagine to a perfect artist life is to be in flow with the creative process and with a strong support from the art buying community.

5.How are you marketing your art?

For marketing I use my website (www.rickclarenceart.com), mail outs inviting collectors/galleries to view my website, gallery shows and twitter.

6.What else are you busting to tell the world?

If a painting is good it has a life. Art has value in peoples lives. Everyone is influenced by  art in their daily lives whether they are aware of it or not.

Contact Rick

Website: www.rickclarenceart.com

Twitter: rickclarenceart

Kazuki followed us on Twitter about a month ago. As we reviewed a list of our new followers we were intrigued by his icon image – it was bright, colorful, and unusual! So we clicked through to see some of his recent tweets – and they were authentic and interesting. Our attention piqued, we then visited his website and found a wealth of interesting work. Classic Online Art Marketing 101 in action!

We chose Kazuki as our featured artist for this week because we appreciate the talent and energy in his work and the clear sense of commitment and direction to his art career – the feeling of a young artist already going places is palpable. We hope that you will enjoy his art as much as we did. You can find Kazuki’s contact details at the end of this feature.

Featured Work

Note: Use the slide-show controls to pause or go to a specific image. Mouse over the images to see details about the artwork.

Bio

Born and raised in the urban setting of Hong Kong and attending high school in Bangkok, Thailand gave Kazuki Takizawa an appreciation for nature from an early age. His work and process reflects the concept of order from chaos, and is influenced by the aesthetics of the natural world.

Kazuki graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in glass art. His work has been exhibited in numerous exhibitions locally and nationally. He was the teacher’s assistant for Shunji Omura’s glass workshop held at the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2007. He received scholarships to attend Pilchuck Glass School and Glass Art Society Conference in 2008. He is currently working as a glassblowing assistant for a local artist.

Artist Statement

As a person who is filled with many different emotions, most of my work is cathartic self-expression. In expressing my emotions, I seek to connect with others and evoke a sense of familiarity and fellowship. Part of my body of work is based on my dark feelings such as pain, struggle and depression, however, beauty of human emotion is almost always stressed. The harmonization of the radically different, such as, violence and meditation, spontaneity and meticulousness, and destruction and repair is found in the process and the result of my work.

The Art Marketing Secrets Signature 6 Questions

1. What led you to become an artist?

Art was always something that I enjoyed and felt confident doing. I was a shy and quiet kid, but when I make or draw something, other kids came to speak to me. They would ask me to draw sometimes and I liked that kind of stuff. I became interested in glassblowing in high school and choose to attend the University of Hawaii at Manoa because of its comprehensive glass program. I fell in love with working with hot glass because it is so magical and it is technically challenging.

2. What happens for you and what do you feel when you are in the creative process?

When forming an idea, I am really pensive. You can even say that I enter into my own world. I feel very excited when I am making something, and I throw my whole self into it. I believe that there is no right or wrong in making things, which gives me freedom to approach art in an open minded way. I also like to take risks and do things in innovative way.

3. What is your favorite piece of your own art and why?

Auric Shelter is my favorite piece. It was my largest work and one that involved a lot of innovation and creativity. I had to figure out a way to custom color each panel through trial and error. Building it was very exciting, and because it was installed in a public setting, I received feedback from wide range of people. I had fun listening to how they felt about it.

4. What would your perfect artist-life look like?

I would like to make large scale and public art. I want my art to be meaningful to many people. Also, I would like to have my own glassblowing studio where I can make offhand sculptures and functional glassware.

5.How are you marketing your art?

I sell my work at local galleries in Hawaii, do art fairs and also enter exhibitions. Word of mouth as well as social networking sites play a part in marketing my art.
My website www.kazukitakizawa.com is useful because gallery owners and museum curators have easy access to my online portfolio.

6.What else are you busting to tell the world?

Auric Shelter is now installed in a private home, and I would like to re-install it on the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus, as well as to other public or private facilities in Hawaii. I am going to start raising money through kickstarter.com please donate. http://www.kickstarter.com/profile/kazukitakizawa

Contact Kazuki

Website: www.kazukitakizawa.com

Twitter: kazukitakizawa

Every Wednesday we will feature a different artist. Some will be worldly with life and art experience while others may be just in the early stages of their careers or even in art school. What we can promise you is interesting and talented people with art that will engage and inspire you!

Have you seen, “Inside The Actors Studio” on Bravo? Each week, James Lipton interviews a famous actor in depth to find out what makes them tick. At the end of every program he wraps up the show by asking the same short series of questions of each and every actor. It has become a signature element of his program and it’s fascinating to hear the answers.

In a similar way we will be asking each of our featured artists the same six questions. Here they are:

1. What led you to become an artist?
2. What happens for you & what do you feel when you are in the creative process?
3. What is your favorite piece of your own work and why?
4. What would your perfect artist-life look like?
5. How are you marketing your art?
6. What else are you busting to tell the world?

Check back tomorrow to see our very first featured artist!

(Image Credit: http://www.toystore.info)