July 3, 2013

Top 10 Art Exhibits in the United States for 2013

For artists and art enthusiasts, finding great new inspirations from artworks from various artists is a must. For 2013, here’s a list of the best exhibits that made admiring art into new dimentions.

1. Angles, Demons, and Savages: Pollock, Ossorio, Dubuffet
An exhibition of work by American artists Jackson Pollock and Alfonso Ossorio, as well as French painter Jean Dubuffet held in Phillips Collection, Washington, DC last February 9- May 12, 2013. The exhibit displayed around 53 paintings and drawings that show a visual friendship enjoyed by all three artists.

exhibit1 — IMAGE: Enamel and oil on canvas
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

2. William H. Johnson: An American Modern

An exhibition of the work of modern American artist William Henry Johnson, the self-described “primitive and cultural painter” held in Georgia Museum of Art last February 16- May 12, 2013. The exhibit included some of the artist’s famous artworks such as Twenty landscapes, still-lifes and portraits including the iconic “Blind Singer” and “Aunt Alice.”

3. Chagall: Beyond Color
A look at the paintings, sculpture, ceramics and collage of the Russian-French artist, Marc Chagall held in Dallas Museum of Art last February 17th – May 26th, 2013. The exhibit also includes a display of costumes made by Chagall in 1942 for the production of the ballet “Aleko,” choreographed by Léonide Massine with music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

exhibit3 — IMAGE:
Marc Chagall, Double Portrait with Wine Glass (Double Portrait au Verre de Vin)1917-1918
Oil on canvas

4. Kehinde Wiley: The Memling Series
Displays a new series of paintings by the New York artist Kehinde Wiley, who is known for his knack for re-envisioning classical styles of portraiture held in Phoenix Art Museum, N. Central Avenue Phoenix, AZ last February 20th – June 23rd, 2013. The exhibit includes eight paintings based on the work of Hans Memling, the Flemish master painter of the Northern Renaissance.

5. Impressionism, Fashion, and Modernity
The exhibit displays survey of the fashion trends that appeared in the works of the Impressionists and their contemporaries held in The Metropolitan Museum of Art last February 26th – May 27th, 2013. Around eighty major figure paintings seen in conjunction with period costumes, accessories, fashion plates, photographs, and popular prints that also show the relationship between fashion and art at this time.

6. Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera and Masterpieces of Modern Mexico
An exhibition of works collected by Jacque and Natasha Gelman, Eastern European ex-pats who became Mexican citizens in 1942 and subsequently acquired art by Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Rufino Tamayo, David Alfaro and more. The exhibit is now being held in Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art started last May 25 all the way through August 18, 2013. There are more than 100 paintings, sculptures, photographs, and drawing in the exhibit.

7. Fernand Leger and the Modern City
Using Fernand Léger’s 1919 work, “The City,” as a jumping off point, the exhibit showcases the French artist’s array of paintings, all of which incorporate forms of cultural production central to modern cities, like graphic and advertising design, theater, film, and architecture. To be held in Philadelphia Museum of Art on October 2013 – January 2014. The exhibit will display over one hundred Leger works from collectors and institutions across Europe and the US.

8. Wayne Hollowell’s “Drama Queen”
This exhibit features a dazzling display of pop culture portraits just in time for NYC Pride held in Michael Mut Gallery, New York last June 26-30, 2013.

9. Enrico David
An exhibition of Italian-born artist, Enrico David, known for his figurative multimedia works that reveals a dark underworld of surreal, craft-informed creatures held in Hammer Museum last January 12th – May 5th, 2013. The collection included paper mummies, hand-crafted tapestries and cavernous paintings.

10. The Artist and the Poet
Planned to coincide with the institute’s “Picasso and Chicago” exhibition, the array of prints and drawings reveal the collaborative relationship between artists like Pablo Picasso, Robert Motherwell and David Hockney and poets such as Max Jacob, Rafael Alberti and Wallace Steves, respectively. Held in The Art Institute Chicago last February 1st – June 2nd, 2013. The collection includes “Skin with O’Hara Poem” (1963–65), a print by Jasper Johns that was inspired by the poet Frank O’Hara.

Source:Huffpost Arts & Culture http://www.huffingtonpost.com

June 15, 2013

5 Ways to Introduce and Promote Your Artwork

Selling your precious artwork can be a little bit frustrating most especially when you are a newbie in the business and don’t really have a market for them. The only way to go is to reach out and attract as many people as possible and make your work known so you can find possible buyers. Here are some tips on how to promote your artwork.

1. Create an Awesome Portfolio
Remember that your goal is to impress potential clients. A detailed portfolio is the first step to establish a first good impression. Showcase what you can offer by having well-photographed, high-resolution images of your work on your portfolio. Put some details about your art like the materials and technique that you used and you may also add a short story about what inspired you to create them which makes it more interesting.

2. Set a Social Media Page
Social media has been the most useful tool to disseminate information nowadays and you can use this to your advantage and it’s free! Set up a social media page and make it as your second portfolio. Organize and specify the category of the artwork that you are promoting either by size, by subject or by material then add relevant keywords to increase the possibility that you will be searched.

3. Participate in Art Contests
This may sound stressful but think again. Remember that your goal is to promote your artwork to as many people as you can. If an on-site art contest is not your thing, you can join online art competitions instead. It really doesn’t matter if you win or not. What’s important is you have exposed your style and what you can offer through your entry to thousands of people who visited the site.

file24954 — “Passage,” 2010, Odili Donald Odita, acrylic on canvas

4. Hold Local Exhibits
There’s no better place for your artwork to be known than in your own local community. Make yourself known as an artist and share your artwork with your community by organizing a local exhibit. It doesn’t have to be grand and expensive. What’s important is you are able to showcase your artwork to possible clients. Find an interesting venue that will serve as a beautiful backdrop for your artwork such as lobbies, cafes, or even malls to attract various kinds of clients.
Doing your exhibit at your local art galleries also has its own advantages. Since they have already established a network of art collectors, there is a better chance of bringing interested patrons to buy your work and you will be able to meet other local artists as well. Why is this important? You will find out next.

5. Get To Know Other Local Artists
More often than not, every city has its own local art community or council composed of local artists and art enthusiasts. Being part of this group will expand your network and will surely give you more opportunities to meet more potential buyers. They usually put on events like exhibits where you can display your work for free. Get involved with community art projects that will expose your talent even more and will introduce you to local businesses as well. Through these events, your chances of being recognized is way much bigger.