The Google Art Project

As a lover of art and travel I hope to visit most of my favorite works of art in person but with my one to two vacations a year it feels like it just isn't happening fast enough! So maybe you love art too, but you can't make it to Amsterdam right now to see Van Gogh's Self Portrait, what do you do? When I need my art fix but I can't get where I want to be I use Art Project by Google!

What is the Google Art Project? It is a website that allows you to explore museums from around the world (like the Tate, MoMA, Uffizi, the Met and more!), discover and view hundreds of artworks, and even create and share your own collection of masterpieces you find and love.

It's very simple, just select a museum from the homepage and then either choose ‘Explore the museum’ or ‘View Artwork’. Once you are in the main site use the drop-down menus or the side info bar to navigate between artworks and museums.

At the bottom right of the page there is a 'Create an Artwork Collection' button that allows you to compile a collection of your favorite works of art and share them online.

Art that is scattered all over the world is now at your fingertips! As a lover of art and museums I know that nothing can replace the experience of standing in front of a masterpiece but for the time being this is a pretty great substitute. I even re-tour museums and art I have visited in the past. When I was in Florence the Uffizi wouldn't let me take home Botticelli's Birth of Venus but this way I get to see it whenever I want!










http://www.googleartproject.com/

Taylor

Nancy's Plein Air paint box design

Russ and I had a busy 4th of July weekend creating a new paint box and panel holder to go out and use for plein air painting.

As Russ said "It's not pretty, but it works" - I'm happy, all my stuff fits in one neat box.
I think I'll paint something on it to make it "pretty".

Feel free to copy the design, I started with the size of my paint tubes and worked out from there.

Paint on,

Nancy

Paint box closed - still need to add a closure hook of some kind. 5/8" plywood

for sides and 1/4" plywood for bottoms. Glued and screwed together.

I started with the size of my paint tubes and worked out from there.
I can easily hold 7 tubes on each side.
Middle box for my palette and brushes. Piano hinges holding boxes together.
Angle iron - right angle corners - bent to hold onto easel.
Have to use the rubber bands to keep the paint tubes from falling when I close the box.
Need heavier elastic bands.

Panel holder box made from 1/4" foam core,
1/4"x1/4" square balsa wood
and duct tape.

Panel Box - open I can store 6 panels of 8x10 or 6x8
- used a piece of Velcro to hold the top closed

Close up showing the balsa wood placement - 1/2" apart. I can store 8 panels
if the outside ones have not been painted on yet or are completely dry.

Spectrum Going Green!

Spectrum is going green! To reduce paper material production, ViViD magazine is now going virtual! Find us online at www.vividbyspectrum.com Look for our new publication coming out soon!

Did You Know: Try it out for FREE!

Spectrum Art & Jewelry offers an approval system unlike many other local businesses. Pick out the piece you like, borrow it for the evening, and if you like it, we will run your credit card you left on file and it is yours! Its that simple! This will help you to figure out if it would look great in a certain space. Try it out TODAY~

Sip, Snack & Shop!

Why go to the mall or discount store and deal with crowds of people, park a mile away, and making your holiday shopping experience unbearable?!?!

Come into Spectrum and get out of the cold weather and rain! We have hot coffee, cookies and wine for the ultimate shopping experience! With a friendly and knowledgeable staff, we can help you find the perfect gift to fit any budget. Fill your belly and your hearts this season with gifts from Spectrum Art & Jewelry!

"Come Together.. Right Now" Seeking Connection with Beauty.

Web 2.0 tells us that social media is the wave of the future for the internet. What it really boils down to is people will spend hours on sites like twitter, myspace, facefook and youtube to learn more about each other and share their thoughts and feelings. This just tells me that people are hungry for connection. When the world seems so confusing and full of uncertainty, the only thing we can count on is each other.

I can tell you that after more than twenty years in jewelry sales, that it has always been about connections. Spectrum Art & Jewelry is just a method through which I personally choose to connect with an ever widening circle of people. The artists who create for the gallery are making their own statements, but they wouldn't put out the effort if they didn't want someone to receive those messages. The customers who come into the gallery are looking for an opportunity to connect through their appreciation of beautiful craftsmanship and creations.

Social media is a wonderful way to keep up with your friends, but it will never replace the experience of visiting a beautiful place and taking in the energy. Be that the beach, the woods, a museum, a church or an art gallery. The physical action of "being" in a lovely place is more nourishing than food sometimes.

I hope you'll take the time to treat yourself to the uplifting experience of just visiting a beautiful place. Take a break from the desk, the computer, the cell phone or the TV and get out and connect with people and beauty.

Shop Local ~ Support Your Neighborhood Businesses

The current economic situation affects us all. I just wanted to take a moment to stress that locally owned and operated businesses are the cornerstone of our communities. We are your neighbors and friends. Whenever possible, I encourage you to consider shopping with the small businesses here in Wilmington. Keep your dollars in your community, whenever possible.


Yes, I know Walmart has a big selection and low prices. The department stores offer some great deals too. But if you are reading this newsletter, you've already expressed an interest in creative living. Spectrum Gallery is more than a business, it is a community of artists. More than 100 people draw some portion of their living from our efforts. We support the creative and financial dreams of our artists, our team, our friends and clients.

We are grateful for your continued support and patronage. I am dedicated to thinking outside the box and I believe in mutally rewarding and beneficial relationships with my customers and fellow business owners. If there is anything you feel we need to do to improve or refine our offerings, please let me know.

I plan to be here for the long haul and to do that I need your support. If you aren't looking for anything at this time, refer a friend. Thank you!
Warmest regards,

Star

A Message from Wendy Rosen - Publisher of American Style Magazine

Wendy Rosen published two magazines, American Style and NICHE. She is also the producer and promoter of the Buyers Market of American Craft which is where we made contact with many of our wonderful craft artists. I received this email from Wendy and wanted to pass it along to those individuals in the arts and crafts industry as well as any other small business owners. Here are her comments following yesterday's historic election and regarding the challenges that face us all:

"For many of us, today we feel that our nation has exhaled a breath, one we’ve been holding for years. Today, it is time to move forward. Regardless of whom you supported, yesterday’s election was a testament to all of us and the world of the importance of the collective impact of individual actions.

Going forward, we feel assured that Main Street’s needs will be at the top of the list of “special interests” for our next president. Now is the time to share and promote our stake in the revitalization of our nation, our economy and the world at large. We encourage you to join us by taking action toward sustaining and supporting the economic importance of craft industry. Many of you – artists and retailers – have struggled over the past weeks, months and in some cases, years. Each of us owes it to each other to work together toward making our community a strong partner in creating a new small business-dominated economy. But before the turnaround occurs we need to be sure that we keep our own promises to each other, sharing resources, keeping informed and increasing both business and artistic skills so that when the time comes we are prepared to take our place as the small flame that ignites the resurgence of a stronger economy.

You can begin by sharing with friends and neighbors the incredible difference that can be made to our economy with each dollar they spend locally on products made by hand in the U.S. and Canada.

If the thousands of members of the craft family took one simple action a day – even one a week – imagine what we could accomplish in raising our community’s profile, and our individual prosperity. In the coming weeks, we will be offering easy, step-by-step small tasks that will help to create social action, craft and good cause consumerism. Visit us on Facebook, our blog, and on Twitter to hear our thoughts on spreading the word about our community. And we hope that in exchange, you’ll share your suggestions with us and others as well.

We can no longer retreat into the isolation of our studios and galleries or stores. Building relationships inside and outside our community benefits us all. Today is a new day – we hope you will join us on the journey."

Warm Regards,
Wendy Rosen & the Staff of the Buyers Market of American Craft

Small Business Tips to recession proof your business

By Star Sosa of Spectrum Art & Jewelry

I’ve been self employed for over 22 years. I made it this long because I was always open to change. While what I’m doing is very similar to where I started, it has evolved over the years into a much different and more comprehensive business.

How does a small business manage in these trying times?
Is it possible we have a better chance than the big box businesses to make it through?

Why? Because like the small mammals that survived the environmental changes that did in the dinosaurs, small businesses can more easily evolve, adapting to the changing surroundings. Keep an open mind, look for the need, find solutions and make the changes as needed.

Here are some ideas for ways to recession proof your small business:

Remain optimistic - know enough about the current circumstances to make informed decisions, but don’t dwell on bad news. Times like this require an open mind and a creative outlook. Think of the whole “make lemonade” thing – what twist can you put on the situation to attract people to your product or service.

Take a close look at your expenses and overhead and make an effort to streamline, refine and minimize them. Just like hunkering down for a pending storm, you’ll need to be sensible about your exposure. Your vendors are experiencing much of the same issues as you are. Talk to them and see if you can’t negotiate more favorable terms or arrangements that will help both of your do more business in the long run.

Set yourself apart by providing your customers with an optimal experience. Win their loyalty and continued support, not by lowering your prices but by providing the best relationship, support, products, services and experience out there! You’ll never be able to compete with the big guys on price and buying abilities.

Here at Spectrum Art & Jewelry we have created a unique environment and community experience that people a drawn to, over and over. Many of my best customers have been regulars for ten years. They keep coming back because we treat them well and provide an ever changing selection of fabulous and unique artworks and services.

One of the main ways we promote our business is through events, such as wine tastings. I’m always looking for interesting things to host at the gallery to give my customers another reason to drop by. Every time I can get them here I have increased the odds that they will find something they can’t live without.

Support the other small businesses in your community. Keep it local. Give your loyalty to your neighbors and they will give it to you.

We buy the wine for our wine tastings at a locally owned shop.
When we can’t provide something specific a customer requests we make every effort to refer them to someone who can. Those businesses return the favor as well.

Form strategic alliances with other business owners to get your messages out to each other’s client base. There is strength in numbers, this is especially important for small business owners. Find non-competing businesses to partner with to give your customers even more reason to do business with you.

For instance, I produce a small magazine called ViViD on a quarterly basis. It is intended to promote the gallery, our artists and community and to foster art collecting. In it we partner with select businesses that share our demographic. They provide value with offers and coupon and they assist in the distribution by sharing ViViD with their customers.

My neighboring stores share the same type of clientele. In the coming year, we will be partnering on various promotions to create the critical mass necessary to draw more people to our center and our shops.

Review your product and services. Are they really meeting your customer’s needs? Are they priced right? Can they bear even a small price increase (to increase your margin)? Survey your customers and find out what they really want and if you have been successful in providing it. You may be surprised by what you learn. This responsiveness is a critical tool to adapting to the changing economic environment.

Review your message. Are you putting out the right message to the right people? Evaluate what works best and what you can let go of. It is crucial in the coming year to keep promoting your business however you have to ensure that you are investing your marketing dollars wisely.

Become a public relations expert. There are a myriad of ways you can take advantage of free publicity. Create newsworthy press releases and sent them to the local media.

Refine and expand your Internet presence. Keep your website current and interesting. The more frequently you update the information, the better you’ll look in the search engines. Optimize your site to improve your rankings in searches.

We found that with some simple changes we were able to greatly improve our search rankings in just a few days. There are classes and webinars out there to help you learn this. It’s not difficult and you don’t have to pay someone a lot of money to do it for you.

Make use of the Web 2.0 tools available to you to keep you top-of-mind with your customers: e-mail newsletters, blogs, myspace, twitter, the list goes on. Use all the different facets to drive business to your website and ultimately to your business.

This can be really grass roots. Find the tool that works for you and run with it. Give value with your blog. Provide education or information that people need or enjoy. For instance, this information will be posted on the Spectrum Art & Jewelry blog so you can reference it there. Link everything together and add links to your e-mail signatures. Watch how it all grows organically.

Recognize that every business is a community. It is intended to support you, your employees, your vendors and your customers. Show your appreciation to every aspect of this dynamic. Maintain an attitude of gratitude. Involve your team in the process to instill ownership. After all, your success should mean their success. Give them a reason to help you pull through and to flourish, because they will be rewarded as well!

Don’t miss the opportunity to partner with local charities. This year they are facing bigger challenges than ever to meet their budgets. Pick something you are passionate about and get creative about ways to share your message and raise money. Giving back to the community will boost your karma as well as your customer’s perception of your business.

There you have my ten points on surviving the economic challenges facing us. Many of the pundits are saying that this is a time of opportunity as much as anything. The forward thinking, creative, flexible and savvy business people will come out even better in the long run. Business as usual will send you the way of the dinosaurs. Wake up and get to work.

You Can Do It!

The Business Coach by Star Sosa

The Business Coach – or how I succeeded in business while having a great time!

After twenty years of self employment, I’d like to say I’m responsible for all my successes but that wouldn’t entirely be the truth. Many of you who have your own businesses will agree that there are times where you wonder when the rest of the world is going to recognize that you don’t know what you’re doing! We all have our crises of confidence and most of us to a good job of faking it.

I didn’t set out to be self employed and I didn’t study business in college. However, here I am and I’m finding that the typing and clerical and bookkeeping training I had have served me much better in the long-run that all the English lit and political science classes I took in college. With that in mind, I will say this, my biggest success, prior to now, was simply surviving in business for over twenty years, so I guess I’ve been doing something right.

One of the best decisions I’ve made was to hire an Action Business Coach. I met Reggie Shropshire at a Chamber of Commerce seminar he hosted about two years ago. After agreeing to a free introductory coaching session, I impulsively decided to hire him to mentor me on a regular basis. It was a large commitment both of money and time. However, it has paid off better than any other investment I can think of and continues to be worth every penny.

Reggie provided me with systems and techniques I never considered before. He introduced me to a great business community of local people who support and help me through my day to day issues and kept me accountable on many levels to continue to develop, grow and produce. That said, my business is better than ever. I have a great new location, more customers, clearer and more effective systems, a wonderful new staff and a community of peers. Most of all, I love what I do, I look forward to coming to work in the morning and so do the people I work with, even though we may be working harder than we ever had. Possibilities exist now, that I never considered. Like having a successful gallery and jewelry store and not having to work every day in it.

If you’d like to learn more about Reggie and Action Coaching click on this link to see his promotional video. It was produced by another member of the Action Community, Lifestage Videography. They did an outstanding job and I really enjoyed being able to participate. You’ll see me and several members of Reggie’s coaching clientele, speaking about the specific benefits of working with him. Feel free to contact me directly if you’d like more information, 910-256-2323.

Click on the link below to go to Life Stage Videography. Scroll down to see the Business Coach Video.

http://www.blog.lifestagevideography.com/

In the Flow by Jane Faudree

As a visual artist it is possible to get stuck occasionally. It happens rarely to me anymore as I have learned what keeps me “in the flow.” So, if you have that “blank canvas syndrome” and don’t have the impetus to begin your next piece, you might try a few suggestions.

One sure-fire stimulant is the act of visiting good art galleries or museums. The joy of seeing artwork of others speaks volumes to my creative side. Observing composition from different vantage points or an unusual use of color or line tantalizes my mind. Surrounding myself with beautiful art gives me pleasure and makes my mind begin to go into that creative space. If it is too much trouble to actually go to a gallery, I can always look online for inspiration. My bookmark is loaded with gallery links. Yet, the best encouragement is seeing original art face to face.

While in my studio, just the act of turning on music will make me more ready to paint. There is something freeing in listening to my favorite tunes. And certain days require different music. I listen to that inner voice that dictates whether it will be Rhythm and Blues, Classical, Oldies or whatever gets the juices flowing. It is amazing how music will change the worst mood. It seems to give energy to the painting as well.

At times I wonder exactly “what” to paint. For that I find several resources helpful. As a landscape painter, Wilmington has so many beautiful scenes; I can go for a walk or ride and find something to paint within minutes of my house. Traveling also gives opportunity to extend my range of subject matter and refreshes my outlook. Whether it is a trip to Europe or the next county it is a good way to get a new focus.

I like to plein air paint, which is painting on location. If I am searching for something to paint it is good to be prepared. I have a pochade box (wooden box, acts as container for paints/brushes and used to affix panel to paint on) and tripod (which connects to pochade box) ready to go at any given moment. Because I paint en plein air, I am more likely to be able to render the shadows more accurately when I use a photograph. It teaches you to think about the colors, reflected light etc. that will appear as flat and dark in a photo.

I usually keep a camera with me in my car so that I can catch that special sunset or the way the sun is reflecting on something that catches my eye. So, in essence I have a volume of reference photos on my computer to peruse. Thus, here is another way to tickle my creative feathers. I find that composing with the camera is a big plus, yet as I look at these photos, I find when I take them in to another program and play with them it opens up other opportunities. I can go into a good composition and find other compositions within the original. Oh, can I change some of those colors or move a tree? The possibilities start coming to me and soon I am excited about that new painting.

Well, what are you waiting for? Play some music, take a walk,or use whatever tools you need to invigorate that gift within you. Get going now!! You can do it!!

All About Acrylic Paints...

By Nancy Noel May

Did you Know???

Acrylic paints were first discovered in 1859, but not commercially produced until the late 1920's.

I started using acrylics in the 1960's, (I am really dating myself here) when I received a beautiful set housed in an aluminum case for my sixteenth birthday. I was thrilled! I had been painting with an artist neighbor using oils since I was eight. I continued using acrylics and/or oils throughout college. I switched to oils as my medium of choice about ten years ago. The decision to change back to acrylics exclusively was made when the fumes from the oils and the harshness of the chemicals began to bother me. I don't think I'll ever go back. I love to paint with acrylics, the fast drying time and the ease of use are an integral element of my painting style. The majority of my painting is done in my studio, but there is a challenge in plein air painting, (painting outside) in that the paint wants to dry a little too quickly, especially on a warm sunny day. This can be overcome with adding retarding gels to the palette. In fact there are a many new additive gels and mediums on the market to create whatever style paint you prefer. Whether you like thin glazes to thick impastos, acrylics can achieve it.

I invite you to consider painting with acrylics. There are several local sources for obtaining paints, brushes, and canvas. It doesn't take much investment to get started. The key words here are "Get Started", just hop in and go. I hope you will start to create and enjoy it as much as I do. It will feed your soul.

The Elements of Design by Nancy Noel May

From the Painter's Brush...

Did you know?

The basic elements of design include the use of line, color, shape, texture and value. These are the building blocks of a work of art.

Did you ever wonder why you are drawn to a certain piece of art? There is an infinite variety of styles and combinations of these elements. All five elements will be represented, but some artists tend to focus on one or two of these elements to be dominant. Do you always head for the brightly colored pieces or the softer, more muted colors; strong lines or soft focus images?

Most of us have a preference to certain styles of work. Knowing these basic elements you define what might have you define what attracts you over and over to similar styles of work. These same elements appear in your home furnishings and in fact, can be of great help in selecting items for your home. Do you like rough, nubby texture or silk smooth, strong lines or soft edges, bold or muted color, these are questions that can be answered by studying the basic elements of design.

Let's explore the basic elements of design.

1. Line- Line defines shape and divides space. Lines can vary in width, length, and direction.

2. Color- Color pertains to a particular hue. Colors give the illusion of depth: closer objects are more intense while distant objects appear muted. Color is the most persuasive element, it can show emotions or mood.

3. Shape- Everything has shape, they can be geometric, such as circle, oval, square, rectangle or triangle-or shapes can be organic or free form.

4. Texture-Texture refers to the feel or look of a surface. There are many kinds of texture-rough, smooth, soft, coarse, shiny or velvety-to name just a few. Texture created highlights and shadows.

5. Value- The element that pertains to the relative lightness and darkness of color in an image. Usually dark values appear to come forward and light values tend to recede.

Once again, I invite you to look at the artwork in your home, or visit Spectrum Art and Jewelry. See if you can identify these five elements in a piece of art. The more you study a painting and try to understand the basic elements of design, the more enjoyment you will have in appreciating your art collection.

Creating an Artist Press Kit for Gallery Submission

I have had many people in the past few months ask about how they should approach a gallery for submission of their works of art. It really depends on each gallery and I would recommend contacting them to she how they accept submissions. More and more galleries are willing to look at your work via an online portfolio, but just like snail mail is more personable compared to email, so is a hard copy of your press kit vs. an electronic one. So after speaking to gallery owners in Chelsea, learning in classes taught from curators at the Met, MoMA, Whitney, MassMOCA, and other major museums, and now working in a gallery where everyday we are inundated with at least 5-10 calls or email inquiries on how to get their artwork represented in our gallery, I have compiled the best resource I can find...my experience on getting past the general mailbox person at the gallery.

So this is my gift to the art world, and if your art warrants submission and you follow these directions, then submit to the right galleries, understanding that they might have space for you, then you just might have a chance of getting your work on their walls. Good luck!

1. Use a pocket and clips folder, black or red cost, called 2 pocket folder with fasteners at Staples(see picture above)

2. Use clear pocket sleeves for ALL papers put in the middle of the folder in the clips section

3. The front page in the clips section should be just like a title page on a report: Your name, address, contact number, and a photo image of your best work or photograph of yourself

4. The following pages 5-8 should include 6-8 images of your work. Make sure the images are professional quality and not taken with a digital camera by your friend after a few drinks. Professional photographs will cost money, but will get your work in a gallery if it is at all possible. Each image should be labeled with the Title in italics, then material, then cost. Example:

Starry Night

Oil on Canvas

$35,000,000

Only 1-2 images per page should be displayed.

5. The front left pocket when you open the folder should contain a resume or list of your education, works purchased (include year and cost sold, and which collection it belongs to. Example: Starry Night, SOLD 1995-The Private Collection of Dr. John & Rosemary Stevens, Cleveland, Ohio or The Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC, $10,000. If you have formal training in art (a college degree) you should list it at the top of your resume. Then comes your awards, works published in print/media, then list of most recent shows (one man first, then group shows listed), then most recent works sold. Unless you hold a PhD, M.D. or have actually published written works, under NO circumstances should your resume be longer than 1 page. Some artists who have been exhibiting for over 20 years at :Art Institute, Guggenheim, MoMA, etc etc can have 1-2 page resume, but unless your work is already at the MoMA and you are still living, don't push your luck. Unless your name is Kiki Smith, Elizabeth Murray, or any other famous living artist, you don't need a 2-pager and if you are, you are famous enough in the art arena to not need a press kit. O.K. onto the next item...

6. The back pocket should hold Xerox copies of any work from newspapers, trade reference magazines, publications, etc. If you have digital images of your work or other info offered on a cd, put it in a sleeve and stick in the back pocket. Make sure to label the cd with a title such as, "N.Wilkinson Expression Gallery Show Dec. 2007". A clear title will indicate your info in case it gets lost from the folder.

7. After its done, flip through it, impressive huh? This is what you have accomplished as an artist. Great job. If it doesn't look that great to you, you better get cracking! After all of this, write a great cover letter about how you are looking for gallery representation in ...... New York, Charlotte, Athens, Wherever, and that you feel your work would be a great fit with their current collection. Always start the letter with the gallery's address and info in the top left corner, address it as Dear Gallery Manager, and sign it Respectfully Yours, Best Regards, or some other form of endearment. Don't forget to put your contact info again on the bottom of the cover letter under your name/signature.

8. Put it in a manila envelope, write down the name of the gallery you are sending it to onto a sheet to keep track of where you are sending your info and in 4-5 days, call the gallery to see if they received the package. Following up is impressive and gives you a second chance to make contact.

If you decide to do this kit via email submission, write the cover letter in the text/body section of the email and attach your resume, articles of publications in magazines, newspapers, etc, and images of your work, or a link to an online slide show where your works can be seen such as a Myspace page or Picassa sideshow page(Picassa slide show preferably than Myspace page).

I hope this helps you on your journey! Good Luck!

~Nicole