Kiwi Quilt Premium Grade Rolled Canvas

The Abstract Quilt Art of Mary Jo Bowers


Today's post features Mary Jo Bower's art quilts. With her art quilts Bowers creates stories using the wonders of color, fabric and textile. The stories that she uses in each of these art quilts will be different from the stories that the viewer sees when looking at them. Viewers are asked to play with the images in the art quilts and find their own interpretations.

Bowers' art quilts are characterized by bold colors, shapes and dimensions using multiple kinds of dyed and painted fabrics and are enhanced by a variety of embellishments. These contemporary quilts are made in three layers - top, batting and backing, as in traditional quilts. However, they are not bed quilts. Instead, each art quilt is a piece of textile art to be displayed on the wall of homes and offices. Enjoy!

Fine Art Acrylic Paintings by Rebecca Zook

Today's post features the art of Rebecca Zook. Zook knew, as a child, she was going to be an artist and has never strayed very far from that path. Her earliest memories are of spending hours at a time sitting at a table with paper and crayons drawing every animal imaginable. Zook was fortunate to attend a high school that offered Commercial Art as an elective and took drawing and sculpture classes all through school. Doing so altered her path from Fine Art to Graphic Design.

Zook received a full, academic scholarship to Southern Methodist University in Dallas where she majored in Advertising Art, gaining her BFA degree. She minored in Fine Art - taking Photography, Painting, Printmaking and Ceramics courses. Additionally, she took Computer Programming as an elective, unaware of how much this was going to help her years down the road when the World Wide Web came into the mainstream.

Rebecca Zook has been working as a Graphic Artist, Illustrator and Web Designer for the last 20 years. She turned her attention back to Fine Art in 2003, though still works a full-time day job. Rebecca has created art in many media, however painting in acrylics is her love and primary focus. She has found her design background to be a major asset in her Fine Art paintings, lending strength to her work though its principles.

Visit Rebecca Zook's gallery on DiscoveredArtists.com. Among my favorites of Zook's works are

• 'Musical Interlude'
• 'Egret'
• 'Against the Stream'
• 'Hands by Candlelight'
• 'Sea Oats'
• "Lemons'
• and 'Silver and Brass'

The following video features some of Zook's work and the accompanying music is beautiful and complimentary. I think the choice of music is appropriate because it 'matches' the feel/presence of the art; it's not overpowering, nor distracting. I say the music compliments the art because it does not compete with the art for my attention, therefore I enjoy the visual art and the 'audio art'/music, simultaneously! This stands out for me so much because I view visual art on video often and many times the music/'audio art', although beautiful, overwhelms the visual art. Therefore, I really appreciate the videos in which the visual and audio art are complimentary. Enjoy!

Images Capturing the Essence and Beauty of Nature

Today's post features Fine Art photography by Claude Peschel Dutombe of Bangkok. His work has been described as sophisticated, decorative photography. Each original piece of Dutombe’s art is skillfully reproduced with the best Gicleé equipment to his exacting standards and critical eye, utilizing only the finest archival materials.

Each print is created utilizing Epson's wide-format, newest generation giclee printers. Additionally, all printed images are created utilizing Epson K3 ink-technology for an unsurpassed image quality and print longevity, of up to 100 years, on the finest archival papers.

The final artwork is signed and numbered by the artist, assuring his final approval, and offered in limited quantities to discerning collectors.

Visit Fine Art photographer Claude Peschel Dutombe’s gallery on DiscoveredArtists.com: discoveredartists.com/gallery/mrClaude.  My favorite Dutombe pieces are:

• Asian Bamboo - 23, 02, 23, 11
• Pastel Floral - 01, 04, 06, 07, 08, 11, 12, and 15 

of  The FrozenZen Series!

Thank-you, @DiscoverArtists for sharing with us!





See more and acquire Dutombe's gorgeous photograpy:

• Butterfly Study 6 by Claude Peschel Dutombe, 20x20
• Pastel Study 4 by Claude Peschel Dutombe, 20x20
• Butterfly Study 12 by Claude Peschel Dutombe, 28x28
• Botanical Study 2 by Claude Peschel Dutombe, 28x28
• Pastel Study 11 by Claude Peschel Dutombe, 28x28
• Butterfly Study 11 by Claude Peschel Dutombe, 20x20
• Bamboo Study 5 by Claude Peschel Dutombe, 20x20

Ferrara Landscping


This post features Ferrara Landscaping, LLC owned by Giuseppe Ferrara.  Ferrara Landscaping specializes in:

• Custom Paver Design & Installation
• Lawn & Shrub Maintenance
• Mulch
• Sod
• Retaining Walls
• Seasonal Clean-up
• Snow Removal

Ferrara Landscaping has more than 20 years of experience and is fully licensed and insured. They serve Hunterdon and Somerset Counties of New Jersey.




"Paving stones provide a classic and beautiful look to driveways, patios, pool decks and walkways that you just can't get from asphalt. The variety of colors, patterns and styles provides a range of choices to suit any style of home, at a price comparable to concrete without the headaches of cracking, staining, and unsightly repairs." ~ Ferrara Landscaping

Tweet @Chaella!

Lutzig Photography

Today's post features the links to the Real Vision Photos website and online gallery of fellow @MichaelasJoie Tweeter, @RealVisionPhoto (a.k.a Ben Lutzig). I believe you'll enjoy his beautiful photography!

Thank-you @RealVisionPhoto for sharing!

Beautiful Contemporary Abstracts, Florals, Landscapes & More by Peter Heuscher

Today's post features the contemporary art of Peter Heuscher. Heuscher was born in Zurich, Switzerland, educated in an advertising, design and marketing agency, has had a professional career in Design, Marketing and Management and, after early retirement, immigrated to the Sunshine Coast of Australia.

Heuscher studied the work of Georgia O'Keeffe, E. John Robertson and many more. Also, he has attended workshops for various techniques with Pamela Cowper, John Lovett and Pat Linda Cale, among many others.

Heuscher is painting full-time since he began living on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. His beautiful art includes landscapes, abstracts, city life, florals and hinterland.

To see more of Peter's work, please visit his gallery website at: http://www.discoveredartists.com/gallery/heuscherartnoosa.

Fine Art Originals by Laura Barbosa

This post highlights the art of Laura Barbosa featured by fellow @MichaelasJoie Tweeter, @DiscoverArtists' video. DiscoveredArtists is an exclusive and curated online art gallery. They, proudly, promote the work of their professional artists, photographers and sculptors.

Of her work Laura Barbosa states, "My artwork does not describe any one particular style, but rather my general attitude towards certain subjects or topics of our world. My paintings convey my individuality and spontaneous thoughts and ideas.

My art has been described by others as "an embarrassment of riches in a colorful world of subconscious thinking".

It is like a journey into the deepest corner of my mind which pulls out current ideas and accumulations of my past experiences, welding them together and presenting them to the world, allowing the viewer to create their own conclusions and individual meanings that are all their own."

I love the gorgeously vibrant colors in Barbosa's art! Thank-you @DiscoverArtists for sharing!

Intelligently Designed Luxury '24-room' Masterpiece Apartment by Gary Chang

Today's post features Anthill Magazine Editor, Entrepreneur and fellow @DelynMiche Tweeter @jamestuckerman, as well as the following video I learned of from his site.

In this video we see how architect Gary Chang transforms his tiny, 344 sq. ft. apartment, in Hong Kong, into twenty-four rooms! Chang designed his apartment to be able to change into the different designs by simply sliding panels and walls. He calls this design concept the "Domestic Transformer". Chang created these designs because apartments are small and expensive in Hong Kong, due to the lack of space. The designs are exceptional and amazing; totally efficient use of space!

Thank-you @jamestuckerman for sharing with us!

Seegull Media: Media & Graphic Design All About You!

This post features Seegull Media, a media and graphic design company founded by Adam Sturm, Graphic Designer. Additionally, Sturm is fellow @Chaella Tweeter, @seegullmedia. Seegull Media's services include:

• Design - Logos, Print, Websites
• Photography - Headshots, Food, Events
• Videography - Video Podcasts, Commercials, Events

Among the other services Seegull Media provides, they've created 40-plus unique video podcasts. This video, 'Functional Fitness' is a fitness video podcast show created for personal fitness trainer, Sergio Rojas, by Seegull Media. In this episode, Rojas teaches some basic balance exercises. This video podcast is another example of how Seegull Media can take your brand and create a show designed specifically for you!

Thank-you @seegullmedia for sharing with us!

Stylish Wedding Photography

This post features the work of fellow @Chaella Tweeter, @PRESSlite_USA by Brett Florens. Florens is an internationally-acclaimed wedding photographer. The following video gives us a glimpse of Florens photographing his clients. The Florens website is PRESSlite.

Beautiful photography! Thank-you @PRESSlite for sharing with us!

Rayz Design Services

Today's post features Rayz Designz, the design company of fellow @Chaella Tweeter, @RayzDesignz. Among the wonderful services that Rayz provides are:

• Twitter Backgrounds
• MySpace Layouts
• Websites
• Album Covers
• Flyers
• Posters
• Banners
• Logos
• Business Cards
• Photo Editing and more!

The following videos are two of numerous Rayz Designz's client testimonials from satisfied clients. Thank-you @RayzDesignz for sharing with us!

Life Without Art

This post features a delightful video by DiscoveredArtists a.k.a @DiscoverArtists, my fellow @MichaelasJoie Tweeter. DiscoveredArtists.com is the Web's most exclusive and fully-curated online art gallery. Their designers create some of the most beautiful and intriguing art, photography and sculpture I've ever been blessed to see.

This video cleverly highlights how dull a space can be without art (love the crickets!) and how lively a space becomes with art! Great video. Beautiful art.

Creative Outreach: Glass Blowing for Teens

This post features Kerry Peterson Interiors based in the Los Angeles, CA area (USA). @KPInteriors is my fellow @Chaella Tweeter and on her site I discovered  @barbosaart which lead me to discover 'Creative Outreach: Glassblowing for Teens'.
In the video we see teenagers doing glassblowing. These teens attentively execute the delicate choreography associated with making glass art. If it's too hot the glass will turn into a puddle and if it's too cold it will crack and shatter. This is a great after-school youth program  that engages kids on many levels. Beautiful work!

Thank-you @KPInteriors (and @barbosaart) for sharing!

Outdoor, Travel and Fine Art Photographer, Colby Brown

Colby Brown is a professional photographer that specializes in outdoor, travel and fine art photography. Brown first became interested in photography four years ago when he realized that through the artistic median of photography, he could share his experiences with the world.

He has dedicated the last few years of his life combining his passion for photography with his love of travel and adventure. From exploring the ruins of Angkor Wat in Cambodia to climbing peaks in the Himalayas, Brown feels that his love of nature and cultural diversity has shown through in his photography.

Brown believes that anyone can create a photo, however a few can tell a story with a single photograph. He has a personal connection with every one of his pieces and truly enjoys having the opportunity to share those moments, frozen in time, with his clients.

All of Brown's photography pieces are professionally printed, utilizing Endura Metallic (Glossy) or Ilford's True B&W paper. They hold a 100-year archival value and will stand the test of time.

To see more of Colby Brown's work and to purchase it, visit his online gallery, Colby Brown at DiscoveredArtists.

Landscape Architects and Your Home

April is/was National Landscape Architecture Month and this video features Dean Hill, ASLA, talking about what landscape architects can do for our homes!

Landscape architecture is the design of outdoor and public spaces to achieve environmental, socio-behavioral, and/or aesthetic outcomes. It involves the systematic investigation of existing social, ecological, and geological conditions and processes in the landscape, and the design of interventions that will produce the desired outcome. The scope of the profession includes: urban design; site planning; town or urban planning; environmental restoration; parks and recreation planning; visual resource management; green infrastructure planning and provision; and private estate and residence landscape master planning and design; all at varying scales of design, planning and management. ~ Wikipedia

Aerosol Art of Caleb "Aero"

The following video features the art of Sprayman101 a.k.a Caleb 'Aero'. Caleb Aero is a Spray Paint Aerosol Artist from Kauai, Hawaii. I learned of Aero's amazing aerosol art as a YouTube Friend of TheChaella. Aero is becoming a household name as one of the most active and talented, international aerosol artist of his time. He's better known as the 'Walt Disney of Graffiti' and has broken the negative barriers surrounding graffiti with his universal, artistic appeal.

In this video, Aero brings his blubber colors magic to Salt Lake City, Utah and decorates the interior of a new business, Sushi Groove. Also, Aero speaks about the thought process involved in creating a freestyle mural and the symbolism involved in bringing his murals to life.

Thank-you Sprayman101 for sharing with us!

Abstracts by Zong

Here's a beautiful video featuring exquisite, abstract art by French painter, Zong. I learned of Zong's abstract art through YouTube Friend of TheChaella, BeautifulSea1 a.k.a Beautiful-Sea.

Beautiful-Sea is a fine art gallery located in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. You can learn more about Zong at Beautiful-Sea Atelier Artiste 12.

Thank-you, BeautifulSea1 for sharing with us!

Art Marketing 101, Third Edition: A Handbook for the Fine Artist

" 'Art Marketing 101: A Handbook For The Fine Artist' is must reading for any one seeking to make a living through their artwork. Art Marketing 101 shares the secrets of suc cessful artists, ways to keep customers coming back, alternative avenues for selling art, photographing artwork, creating an impressive image, building name recognition, sales and publicity tactics, pricing artwork, planning an exhibition, the legal aspects of selling artwork, portfolios every artist needs, contacting galleries, succeeding without an agent, publishing and licensing artwork, preparing a marketing plan, and debunking the myths surrounding the art business. -- Midwest Book Review

You can argue that a lot of visual artists and writers have let Giacomo Puccini's La Boheme diminish their economic success. How? Since its first performance in 1896, the opera has celebrated the idea of the starving artist and the tragic struggles that must be endured for the sake of creating art. Not really. In Art Marketing 101, Constance Smith lights the way to financial success through organization and disciplined marketing. She exposes the myth of the starving artist for what it is: self-pitying romanticism. The author correctly maintains that each artist is the means to his or her own success. She takes the artist through visualization, organization, business basics and beyond to taxes, copyright and producing -to name just a few of her topics. There are also sources and references in each section. This is not a book to be read quickly and set aside. Instead, it should be read as a 'road map' to success. It should be followed, referred to, consulted and used. In short order, the tenants of Puccini's garret can move to a penthouse. Smith achieves her goal of providing a clear guide to working artists. This work is a great service to that community. -- From Independent Publisher --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Description
Artists need help with the business side of their career, and this 302-page, twenty-one-chapter volume answers all the questions they could have. Ultimately, it guides artists to create both a long- and short-term marketing plan so they can become independent businesspeople. It educates them to gain a competitive edge in the marketplace, honing their business skills and knowledge of their legal rights.

Artists will learn about: overcoming roadblocks, the secrets of successful artists, alternative avenues for selling art, building name recognition, sales and publicity tactics, pricing artwork, planning an exhibition, creating a beautiful portfolio, photographing artwork, the proper way to contact a gallery, succeeding without a rep, promotion, maximizing value, and much more.

Constance Smith began her career as an art rep in California. She has been assisting artists nationwide for over twenty years. She is co-author of Art Office and Internet 101."

The 25 Basic Styles of Blogging ... And When To Use Each One

The following presentation, 'The 25 Basic Styles of Blogging ... And When To Use Each One' is wonderfully informative. I learned of it from my fellow @Chaella Tweeter, @3WDesignMedia of 3W Design Group. The 3WDesign Group does Internet Marketing and Web Development and specializes in social media.

Since 1995, 3W Design has been putting Web technology to work for their clients. Today, that technology includes social media and, once again, 3W Design is leading the way offering consultation, training and more. Their capabilities include:

Consulting/Training
• social media training, seminars, workshops and one-on-one
• social media marketing
• search engine optimization
• visual, audio and website architecture design

Services
• e-commerce
• web hosting & e-mail
• application deployment
• social media intergration
• custom programming
• database development
• search engine marketing
• pay-per-click and affiliates
• online marketing
• offline/traditional promotion
• advanced web statistics

Beautiful Swimming Pools

This video contains beautiful samples of work done by Chad E. Hunt, a Landscape Architect in the Louisville, Kentucky area. Hunt is a registered and licensed in-ground swimming pool designer and contractor, as well. Find more information and more project examples at http://www.chadehunt.com/. I learned of Hunt through my fellow @DelynMiche Tweeter, @CandiMay (a.k.a Candi May). You may connect with Candi May on Facebook, too!

Thank-you, @CandiMay for sharing with us!

iQ Font - When Driving Becomes Writing

This video features the work of two Brussels-based designers, Pierre and Damien, creating a new font in an exciting way by using a car as their stylus! I learned of Pierre's and Damien's design work through my fellow @Chaella Tweeter, @designcrave (a.k.a William Barnes). Barnes website is DesignCrave, a Graphic, Industrial, Interior and Modern Design magazine.

Thank-you @designcrave for sharing with us!

Damien Franco, Photographer & Photography Blogger

This post features my fellow @Chaella Tweeter, @DamienFranco. Franco is a Photographer and Web author/blogger. He is the main author and editor of Your Photo Tips. Your Photo Tips is a blog dedicated to helping new and advanced photographers learn how to take better pictures.

He has always been the type of person that craves knowledge and he's fulfilling a desire to share his knowledge with the photographic community through his blog. Along with tips and tutorials on photography, like the rule of thirds, Franco also loves to share articles that can help you find creativity anywhere (including movies), as well as inform you of photography news.

You can view Damien Franco's photography galleries at: Damien Franco at Discovered Artists and DamienFranco.com

Note: I hope to have a video featuring Franco's photography, soon.

I'd Rather Be in the Studio!


" 'I'd Rather Be in the Studio! The Artist's No-Excuse Guide to Self-Promotion' offers practical approaches that help you sell more art and build an art career that lasts. Alyson B. Stanfield, the art-marketing guru behind ArtBizCoach.com, shares self-promotion tools that have enhanced the careers of thousands of artists. You'll learn how to: (1) Introduce yourself as an artist so people want to know more; (2) Nail your artist statement to discover the right words for all of your marketing messages; (3) Expand your mailing list and use it to cultivate collectors; (4) Create marketing materials that outshine the competition; (5) Become a media magnet so buyers come to you; (6) Take advantage of your Web site and blog to build a bigger audience; and much more. It would be great if there were a precise formula for getting your art into galleries, museums and private collections. But every artist's path is different. That's why I'd Rather Be in the Studio! provides easy-to-follow self-promotion practices that help you find your way at any point in your career. Match Internet marketing strategies with sincere personal skills to take charge of your career.

The author, Alyson B. Stanfield is an artist advocate, workshop leader, and art-marketing consultant who knows all about self-promotion. Labeled an introvert early in life, she has challenged herself many times to come out of her shell in order to lead a rich and rewarding life. And that's what she does with her clients. Alyson has helped thousands of artists develop their careers through her online classes, publications, workshops, and free weekly Art Marketing Action newsletter all available through ArtBizCoach.com. Alyson used the self-promotion tools in I'd Rather Be in the Studio! to launch ArtBizCoach.com. Prior to that, Alyson counseled artists informally throughout her ten years as a museum curator and educator in the Midwest. She wrote this book for the many talented artists who remain professionally unfulfilled because their work is not seen and not purchased. Alyson's mission is to empower artists to say goodbye to excuses and hello to success."

'I'd Rather Be in the Studio!' is available from Amazon.com (click the box in the upper-left corner).

How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist: Selling Yourself Without Selling Your Soul

The classic handbook for launching and sustaining a career that "explodes the romantic notion of the starving artist," (The New York Times) with a brand-new chapter on Internet art marketing

"Now in its sixth edition, 'How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist' is the definitive guide to taking control of your career and making a good living in the art world. Drawing on nearly three decades of experience, Caroll Michels offers a wealth of insider’s information on getting into a gallery, being your own PR agent, and negotiating prices, as well as innovative marketing, exhibition, and sales opportunities for various artistic disciplines. She has also added a new section on digital printmaking and marketing in this emerging field.

Most notably, this sixth edition contains an entirely new chapter: "Art Marketing on the Internet." Michels offers criteria for selecting an ideal Web designer for your online portfolio and for organizing your Web presence, and shares proven methods for attracting curators, dealers, and private clients to your site. She also addresses vital legal concerns in the age of e-commerce, including copyrighting and registering your art, and finally, the appendix of resources, consistently updated online at Michels’s site the Artist Help Network (www.artisthelpnetwork.com), is fully revised.

Caroll Michels is a successful sculptor whose artwork has been exhibited in museums worldwide, and she has worked as a career coach on behalf of thousands of artists since 1978. She lives in Sarasota, Florida."

'How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist' is available from Amazon.com (click on the box in the upper-left corner).

Featured Book: Breaking Into the Art World: How to Start Making a Living As an Artist

"Have you ever wanted to be a full-time artist and make a living at it? Have you ever wanted to know how to get started selling your art? Then this book is for you! "Breaking into the Art World" is filled with practical information on "how to get started making a living as an artist." The author, Marshall White, lives in Kona, Hawaii and works as a full-time artist. His paintings and prints of Hawaii are wonderfully detailed and popular with local art buyers and tourists who visit the island. At this writing, his works of art are displayed in various galleries in Hawaii and in Thailand and are collected by people from all over the world.

This book is the first of White's writings to be published and was written to help other artists who often ask him, "Do you make a living with your art?", "How did you make the jump to being a full-time artist?" It has been written for people who, like himself when he began, have no clue what to do to get started marketing and selling their art."

'Breaking Into the Art World: How to Start Making a Living As an Artist' is available from Amazon.com (click on the box on the left).

Featured Art: Abstract Squares

The abstract wall art featured below is ideal for home-staging 'prop' art. I'd use these pieces in a small bathroom opposite the toilet, or any area where an accent piece (or two of the same) would enhance an area of focus.

These gorgeous abstract wall art pieces are available from Amazon.com, by clicking the images or the links, below.