Artsy Shark
A Site for Emerging Artists
Energy Art Gains Momentum
May 2nd
“Some paintings vibrate with energy. Impressionists like Monet tried to capture light. Futurists like Boccioni portrayed motion and speed. Expressionists like Van Gogh conveyed emotions. These qualities – light, speed, emotion – are variations of energy. Energy is one of the most ephemeral qualities to depict.”
So begins the definition of this new art movement, begun in 2008, which is creating waves as an exhibition in Veliky Novgorod, Russia this month. The Energy Art Salon 2011 is an international effort by artists who create art which shimmers, pulsates, and crackles with energy, or the depiction of what energy can do. Reaching outside its roots in North America, this second annual salon is bringing an exciting experience to audiences worldwide.
Members believe that enhancing their creations with energy – either in composition or in subject matter – adds artistic value to their
depictions. The Movement strives to follow a progressive trend of forward evolution in the Fine Arts, while embracing both traditional and digital media.
Movement Organizer Giogio Vaselli explains that 99 artists submitted work, hoping to be included in the exhibition, which includes 43 works of art. The call for artists and competition took place on Facebook.
He describes the entries as being of exceptional quality, and many great pieces had to be turned away. He states, “The point of the competition was not the idea of ‘competing’ itself, but rather, the selection/curation of the art by the public for the Energy Art Salon 2011 which opened just a few days ago in Russia. This was a step towards our announced long-term goal: becoming an increasingly democratic vs. centrally-run art movement, ie. an open art movement. Currently movement membership is application/invitation-only, to ensure our values and standards in this initial period since our founding in May of 2008.”
Why was Facebook chosen to solicit entries? Vaselli states, “As expressed in an essay of mine, I have great faith in the opinion of the public, and since Facebook has recently become the third largest country in the world, spanning multiple countries, it was a natural choice for handing over the task of curation, via the preliminary competition. The public’s opinion was weighted with that of our featured members.”
Other venues are also used to gain publicity and promote Energy Art as a movement. He explains, “We have maintained an online presence via various channels since our founding, with our website remaining our central headquarters. About a year ago, Facebook has become our secondary headquarters, in order to maintain our connection with the public. We create primarily for the people, and we hope to eventually be run by the people.”
“In addition, we have profiles and groups on DeviantArt (primary headquarters at our founding), Flickr, and Fine Art America, where we accept submissions from any artist, who may also be invited this way.
Considering that we are not merely an online phenomenon, but are also having our fourth international real-life exhibition, the Movement tends to attract some level of media attention, which is clearly key to reaching a mainstream audience.”
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Featured Artist Jeanne Bessette
Apr 30th
Artsy Shark presents the portfolio of featured artist Jeanne Bessette. Visit her website for more information and to see more examples of her stunning work.
I received my first art kit when I was four years old. I remember pretending I was some famous artist and I would hang my creations all over the house, so it was no surprise to anyone when I was voted most artistic in my high school yearbook. I studied studio painting in college and tried to pursue my passion. However, the idea of painting for a living was somewhat discouraged, and I began to believe these externally implanted doubts from well meaning people in my life. I went to photography school as a compromise and became a photographer. That seemed more acceptable to everyone including me for a while.
As it turned out, that decision turned into a very profitable career. I went on to own and operate a highly successful photography studio in New England for over a decade, won many awards and gained clients throughout the United States. My photography career was very rewarding, but there was always a small fire inside that was not being fed. So after thirteen years, I retired my camera for profit and picked up a paint brush. This time for real. It felt like home.
I sought out master teachers who excelled in their field to relearn the tools of my true passion. Soon, I was accepted into numerous juried exhibitions and offered solo shows. My experience as a photographer offers me the skills I need to see light and composition and I enjoy a powerful palette filled with layers and lots of color.
I am now enjoying continued success and acceptance by a new clientele as well as the fine art community. I continue to study with some of the best artists in the world as I feel we can never stop learning our craft. It is a journey that will last a lifetime. I am the luckiest person in the world to be able to paint almost every day. Don’t let anyone steal your dream.
My paintings reside in numerous private collections in the United States and Canada including television personality Michelle Phillips, nationally known comedian, Tim Wilkins, Karen Ely Founder of A Women’s Way, and contemporary artists Robert Burridge, Wendy Thurlow and Joanna Coke to name a few.
“Jeanne pursues her art making with great passion. Over the years she has developed a unique style full of color, and yet it also has many subtle passages of layered hues and glazes. Her images are rendered to create a mystery through her color placement. She asks the viewer to solve the deeper meaning behind her paintings, leaving us with a strong, memorable impression.” Joanna Coke
Jeanne's work can also be seen at Bucks County Gallery of Fine Art in New Hope, Pennsylvania.
6 Ways to Learn from Your Customers
Apr 28th
By Carolyn Edlund
“I get all my best ideas from my customers” – Harvey Mackay
How much do you know about what your customers want? Here’s how to find out, directly from them.
Courtesy Anthony Ferguson
One of the most exciting things artists and craftspeople have going for them these days is the immediate connection they can make with the end consumers of their work. No longer are creators shielded from the marketplace by gallerists, representatives, retailers and others – unless they choose to be. This directness is, of course, a result of the internet explosion, which removes the degree of separation between creatives and their collectors.
This puts you on the front lines. What an opportunity! Your customers and admirers hear directly from you, in a message that you deliberately craft to communicate your personality, your brand, your inspiration and your newest creations. You can also get immediate feedback from them, which is a useful tool in gauging your effectiveness and possible directions to enhance sales and solidify your market niche.
As a former sales rep selling to the art and gift market, I lived life on the front lines calling on store owners and buyers who gave me immediate responses to what they wanted and what they liked – and very importantly, what they did not like or want. They knew their customers, and they knew your competitors. I was able to pass vital information on to manufacturers (read: you) to assist in honing the product line for maximum appeal and sales.
Are you listening to your customers? If your goal is to grow your business, you need to be keenly aware of what your customers think of their purchase, and what they may be looking for from you in the future.
Here’s a checklist of ways to get that feedback:
- Send a monthly or bi-monthly email newsletter to your all-important email list, including links to your website, and ask for input.
- Have a contact form on your website inviting comments from visitors.
- Make follow up phone calls to clients who commission or purchase your work.
- When shipping, include with your invoice or packing slip a letter thanking them for their purchase, and asking for feedback – invite them to visit your website with comments. Making an offer of a discount on a future purchase can encourage feedback (and drive more traffic to your site).
- Have an active Facebook page where customers can make comments and suggestions. Actively solicit these.
- Be open to listening. Not all comments will be useful, but you can get some great ideas this way, not to mention custom orders and commissions.
What have you learned from your customers? Was it what you expected?
See more of Anthony Ferguson's work by visiting his website.
Featured Artist Mike Filippello
Apr 26th
Artsy Shark presents the work of American folk artist Mike Filippello. Enjoy his naive portfolio, and see more by visiting his website.
I’ve always considered myself lucky to be creative because I come from a creative family. My mom is a really talented artist and quilter. My older sister used to be a fashion designer of childrens’ clothes in NYC many years ago. As for me, I always loved art. I always used to draw and write. What really got me started into painting was when my wife and I lived in Florida back in 2002. It was a newspaper article that my Sister-in-law showed me about a company that had just come to Orlando, Florida and placed a vending machine that sold art out of it. It was called “Artists in Cellophane” and you could buy an original piece of art from the machine for just $5.00. I knew then that I wanted to try and paint. I celebrated my 38th birthday when we lived in Florida and I received a $25.00 gift card to an art store, and that was how I got started. I actually didn’t submit anything to “Artists in Cellophane” until the fall of 2008 a few years after my wife and I had moved back to NY. It was one of those things that was always in the back of my mind to do but never really did until I committed to the idea, I was so lucky that my prototype was accepted and I received the email that I was accepted and went to work on painting the first 50 blocks.
The years between 2002-2008 I did many things regarding my art and my children books. My first book “Miratambo Moonsong” was accepted by a publishing company in the fall of 2003 just as we were going back to NY and came out in the spring of 2004. I pursued getting press releases published in the local papers and ultimately I managed to get 5 press releases published and I was also on the local news and a radio talk show to talk about my book.
My second book “In a place called Barrontippeny” which is the sequel to “Miratambo Moonsong” was published in 2009.
I’ve had a painting published in Decor Magazine in 2006. In the fall of 2006 I was published in the Democrat and Chronicle Newspaper (Rochester, NY)(Circulation about 100k) in the Featured Artist Spotlight column. In March 2007 I was published in Art Business News as an “Emerging Artist”.
My main online gallery was opened in the fall of 2005- to date that gallery has received more than 150,000 hits. I also belong to a number of online galleries. This gallery contains a number of sub-galleries where I upload my work to, I hope you will have a look.
The thing that I love the most about art is the simple fact that there is no rules. The canvas is blank and you can fill it with whatever colors, shapes, and textures that you want. I love to have the freedom to do what I want to do. I love painting the details in my paintings. All of my paintings have unique and individual names that I make up for them. A few years ago, I posted a painting on my artwanted page and the name of that painting is “Morning shines on Nicolapanti Park,” I received an email from a gentleman who lived in Italy-he just happened to be doing a google search of name and found my painting. He sent me an email about it- he liked the painting.”
I have a number of different things that I’ve been blessed to have experienced in my art and writing careers. If you would like any specific information-please feel free to let me know and I would be happy to send you any information that you would like to review. I truly love what I do with my art and my children books. These are the things that my dreams are made of.
Spring Announcements
Apr 24th
New Logo
You may have noticed that Artsy Shark has a new logo, designed by Anthony Ferguson, one of the featured artists on this site. Thanks so much Anthony – the check is in the mail!
Featured Artists Submissions Now Open
Artsy Shark hasn’t accepted submissions from artists wishing to be featured since the beginning of the year, but submissions are now open for One Week Only – until midnight on May 1st. Due to the overwhelming number of applicants submitting work, this shorter time frame means that fewer artists will be accepted, thereby avoiding a long wait for their featured page. Submissions can then be opened more frequently. See more information on the Contact/Submit page of this blog.
Upcoming Creative Souls Telesummit
Starting tomorrow, you can participate in a Free Telesummit which lasts three weeks, from April 25 – May 20. There will be more than 20 experts speaking on a variety of topics. Each week will be concentrated as follows:
Week 1: FOCUS – How to Get Clear, Align with Your True Purpose and be Your Authentic Creative Self
Week 2: TRACTION – How to Remove Blocks and Get into Action with the Steps and a Plan
Week 3: FLOW – How to Turn Your Creative Fire into Financial Flow
Carolyn Edlund of Artsy Shark will be speaking on May 18th from 12 – 1 p.m. Pacific Time, 3 -4 p.m. Eastern time. Her subject is:
Put Your Dream into Action: How Creative Entrepreneurs Can Market and Sell Their Products
Please join us! There will be a question and answer session at the end of each talk.
Featured Artist Leah Jay
