tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42550764482361795342011-11-27T17:03:15.874-08:00artceteranoreply@blogger.comBlogger381100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-25976258672630108202010-05-11T17:11:00.000-07:002010-05-11T17:11:37.229-07:00

We’ve been silent for a while as we’re hard at work developing an online store focused on selling stylish, hand-crafted functional art. It’s an exciting new venture that will promote handmade, fashionable pieces for the home, garden or office. We’re busily building the marketing and selling platform that will promote California artisans and their pieces to consumers of fine artisan craftwork.

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-34392550706554504922010-03-08T12:04:00.000-08:002010-03-10T16:18:39.100-08:00

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artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-75634137380311499352010-02-10T13:38:00.000-08:002010-02-21T19:10:33.845-08:00

Whether you consider collage to be one of the riverheads of modernism or a simple, playful pastime, the current exhibit at the O’Hanlon Center for the Arts, Blage, has something for everyone. The collages in this exhibit represent such a wide range of styles and a variety of compositional elements the impact is visually overwhelming when first entering the gallery. But soon the eye acclimates and

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-78954699062508397122010-01-28T08:26:00.000-08:002010-01-28T09:26:37.423-08:00

Galleries are searching online for the art that best matches their customer base. If you don’t have a web site, it’s gotten relatively easy to get one.  There are plenty of resources available for creating your own, or joining one of the available artist portal sites.  Here are some leads to get you started. One of the easiest and more moderately priced options is online Artist Portals such

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-19928918614382643322010-01-21T08:46:00.000-08:002010-01-24T15:58:53.328-08:00

Updating the biography or curriculum vitae (CV). This is a key document that lists all your accomplishments as an artist.  Here are some suggested guidelines to help artists get the CV tuned up for submission to the art world. Keep it current. As the artist participates in more shows, receives awards or gains collectors, these activities should all be added to the resume. Most recent at the

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-30412907848704028692010-01-17T16:06:00.000-08:002010-01-17T16:08:11.921-08:00

Why show artwork in salons, spas, restaurants, lounges and the rest? Alternative spaces provide the artist with the wall space to exhibit their work and there are plenty of benefits for artists besides the potential for sales. Good exposure, especially if the artist hasn’t exhibited their work or hasn’t exhibited in a while. This is a terrific starting place. Good public relations. Most

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-57928024434384454712010-01-14T14:12:00.000-08:002010-01-14T14:20:37.215-08:00

Most artists have the toughest time talking about their own art, especially when it comes to writing their artist statement. How to describe one’s creative vision and method without being verbose or sounding obtuse is one of the biggest challenges.  Every gallery, competition or call for art asks for one, and so something gets put on paper.  Here are some suggested Do’s and Don’ts. Before you

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-47401152369449335832010-01-09T09:40:00.000-08:002010-01-09T19:46:54.416-08:00

Happy New Year! Holidays are over and it’s time to get back into the studio and get creative. But what about all those finished works stacked in a corner, or proudly displayed in your home? You’ve gotten comfortable with them there, right? In fact, you may hate to part with some of them. But surely you want most of them to light up the faces and hearts their public. If every pot has its lid,

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-4203277195571162402009-12-05T10:48:00.000-08:002009-12-05T10:58:02.720-08:00

Social networks like My Space and Facebook have taken the online world by storm. The platforms are an easy, cost-effective way to reach a whole group of people and simply attach photos, videos or links. But how do we use it for marketing our wares? By connecting with a circle of family, friends and colleagues for the long haul, on their terms, and sharing information and experiences together.

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-63291645926609604572009-11-22T12:49:00.000-08:002009-11-22T17:40:46.019-08:00

How do you get new people to see, enjoy, and buy your artwork?  Expand your horizons and network with new people to find people who love your art.  Sure it’s great to hang out with your artist friends, but consider opening up to fresh opportunities. Here are a few suggestions to shake up the routine and get out of your comfort zone. •    Go to places that foster your art. If you want to get

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-54153530853227265742009-10-22T17:12:00.001-07:002009-10-22T17:30:21.109-07:00

Retail is gearing up for the holidays, and so should you.  Now the stores are filled with candy and orange-colored decorations, but lurking in the wings is the green and red lights, sparkling tinsel and the obligatory fruitcake.  Radio, TV, and online advertising is cranking up, trying to get the nation up off the couch and into stores this fall. Hey, if they can get us off the couch, maybe we

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-31002391307459997712009-10-13T08:55:00.000-07:002009-10-17T17:22:06.682-07:00

To those of you who sold artwork at this year’s open studios, congratulations! Not only did you sell your work, make some money, and create a little space in your studio, you’ve just started a new relationship. So nurture it like you would a new friendship. Reach out and contact them with a simple thank you note.But, you say, they only bought a small print! Hey, we’re all on a budget this year,

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-5793582856760795992009-09-29T12:45:00.000-07:002009-09-29T14:57:34.044-07:00

For many wine country artists, open studios have just ended, and a sense of relief is in the air. A lot of creative energy, hard work and resourcefulness went into pulling it together, but now it’s over. Artists sold their works, sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. But generally, there’s a sense of satisfaction, exhaustion, and calm for artists in the valley.So what’s next? Pack it up, kick

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-24737555200721328902009-09-15T11:55:00.000-07:002009-09-15T16:23:15.687-07:00

Gearing up for your open studio? Have you considered your pricing and your discount policy? Here are some pointers to help you sell with confidence and enjoy the process of selling your artwork.o Establish your retail price. Many art buyers are under the mistaken impression that getting art from the artist’s studio means getting a 50% discount. You have your overhead and marketing

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-32504397492540978912009-09-10T13:21:00.000-07:002009-09-10T15:45:51.150-07:00

If you have the names of more than 20 guests, buyers or potential buyers, and you want your artwork to be highlighted in the email with descriptive text, you’re talking about sending an email newsletter.Instead of sending an email from your personal account, e.g. yahoo, why not consider one of the business email providers such as Constant Contact or Vertical Response? (There are many other

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-19172270716608720752009-09-05T10:16:00.000-07:002009-09-10T16:00:56.299-07:00

Now that you’ve collected some names and emails from visitors to your exhibits, you want to start a dialog with them. Engage them in a conversation about your art, invite them to see your work at exhibits, and entice them to buy.Step 1: Send a thank you note. Thank them for stopping by your studio, or your exhibit and signing your guest book. Refresh their memory about your work with a short

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-22480376265747340452009-08-29T21:33:00.000-07:002009-08-30T10:09:16.676-07:00

On one of the hottest nights of the year, Napa Valley Open Studios opened with a preview exhibition and spectacular reception at Mumm’s Napa in Rutherford, CA. Although temps were hovering in the mid-90s even after sunset, artists and art enthusiasts mingled with the fabulous new creations by this year’s open studio artists.The exhibit at Mumm’s is an incredible opportunity to preview the new

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-45025415463907286612009-08-25T10:33:00.000-07:002009-08-29T13:28:07.879-07:00

Here's an easy way to gather names for future marketing efforts. You can do this at any exhibit, including the Napa Valley Open Studios which is coming up September 19, 20, 26 & 27.o Your exhibit guestbook is a potential gold mine. Be ready this year with a centrally located, easy-to-write-in guest book that has enough room to collect this essential info: email address, first name and zip

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-6567284681952152992009-08-19T09:57:00.000-07:002009-08-29T13:30:19.724-07:00

Wine Country Art is now Wine Country Art Marketing. Instead of trying to round up all of the art happenings in Napa & Sonoma counties, and highlighting the artists and their shows, I’m going to start talking about what I know best: marketing.Specifically, I’ll be writing about basic marketing principles and how artists can use them to promote themselves, their art, and their careers. This isn’t

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-16565637044563994302009-05-01T10:23:00.000-07:002009-06-26T10:05:58.815-07:00

Jocelyn Audette's landscapes thoroughly explore the natural beauty of the Napa and Sonoma areas. The artist interprets the scene using a variety of media including oil paintings, encaustics and watercolors. Her bold, yet delicate encaustics capture each subject and captivate the viewer while her watercolors are easy on the eyes, using a bright pallete to express the many seasons in the Napa

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-65860295012163720592009-04-05T08:40:00.000-07:002009-04-11T14:18:06.316-07:00

The third venue for the Art Walk is the Calistoga Roastery, 1426 Lincoln Avenue where the incomparable Sue Reed has a sampling of her paintings and jewelry.Whether divined or channeled, her metaphysical designs soothe you and draw you closer. Even the bright yellow walls of the coffeehouse are no match for her paintings. And yes, she's got a harmonious line of fashion jewelry with pricing

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-12385838444040239162009-04-04T11:27:00.000-07:002009-04-10T14:40:12.791-07:00

Here is another one of the art shows that are part of the Calistoga Art Walk.Philip Parker is showing his paintings at Bank of America, 1429 Lincoln Avenue. A prolific painter with a collection spanning 25 years, Parker stays close to home with landscapes painted the open air in Napa and Sonoma Valleys. No vineyard oils here though, with moody skies and muted tones, Parker brings his own

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-11936800280923959642009-04-03T10:13:00.000-07:002009-04-10T15:57:42.959-07:00

Calistoga's got a slammin' First Thursday Art Walk and the artists this month are stellar. They set the bar high so I'm making a point to trek up to 'stoga every month from now on.Over at WestAmerica Bank, 1110 Washington Street, Rebecca Dant is exhibiting her latest pieces. She's taken a whole new approach this year in producing brilliant, uplifting, larger-than-life images of flowers from her

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-84331470797597898952009-03-05T09:24:00.000-08:002009-04-10T15:55:05.844-07:00

The di Rosa Preserve is just a few miles west of downtown Napa, but feels like a world apart.The current exhibit at the Gatehouse features works by artists responding to nature in natural and unnatural ways. Some of the 7 artists have their senses of humor firmly intact as they created detailed paper towel art, silver toy-sized art of mis-matched animal body parts, and entire dioramas showing

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-26463712513084821932009-02-17T12:46:00.000-08:002009-02-28T14:45:25.151-08:00

The deep recession, with its lost jobs and falling home values nationwide, poses another kind of threat: to the art galleries. The tide of big spenders that decorated their homes with vineyard and wine art from their trip to the wine country is receding, leaving some communities high and dry. Yountville lost one gallery last year and Images Fine Art South on Washington is closing April 30.

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-74741105509843911072009-02-03T12:51:00.001-08:002009-02-03T13:05:33.325-08:00

A little bit of rain and lots of warm sunshine is all it takes to get the mustard seed to sprout. Now that we've had a couple of mild rain storms and a couple of weeks of 60 degree weather, streaks of yellow flowers have popped up between the rows of vines.While the vines lie dormant, and most of Napa Valley snoozes quietly, these blossoms are cheerily greeting highway travelers. In fact, there

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-46140455510563123522009-01-31T18:36:00.000-08:002009-02-03T12:49:38.216-08:00

For a trek down history lane, check out the Montoya mural at the Ceja tasting room on 1st St in downtown Napa. Rich in detail and vibrant colors, the work traces the line from ancient winemaking to the present with depictions of Baccus, Egyptian winemakers, Father Junipero Serra, Spanish conquistador Cortez, a present-day farm worker and of course, the recognizable face of Cezar Chavez. The

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-4198522486235240222009-01-28T13:53:00.000-08:002009-01-29T09:15:04.429-08:00

Is there meat culture? Absolutely. I witnessed it first-hand at the Nest gallery in Napa last Saturday. Over the next few weeks, "Meat and Potato" curated by Ashley Teplin and Ann Trinca explores how we interact with meat and how it sparks our creativity.Eyes and stomachs were both open on Saturday evening, as opening night attendees feasted on lamb lettuce wraps, freshly deep-fried potatoes,

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-81382752311994010202009-01-20T10:56:00.000-08:002009-01-20T12:15:36.938-08:00

Do you ever feel like a trip to a gallery or museum is like a day trip out of town?  Some art can just transport us to another place, mentally and spiritually. Photographer Chris Purdy has a knack for capturing and printing images that can take you to those places.  Purdy has photo journalized natural imagery and local residents of many exotic countries, but with a unique perspective that brings

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-85049702514584022292009-01-17T18:02:00.000-08:002009-01-20T12:19:07.351-08:00

Patrick O'Rourke's "Winter Oak" piece above perfectly captures the January scene in Napa with the lone oak standing guard over the leafless vines. This moment, when days are short, tourist traffic wanes, and locals take back their turf, is when the statuesque beauty of the oaks steps forward from the background and shares the spotlight.  The vineyards, of course, are the big attraction and the

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-45789033001058572992009-01-14T16:22:00.000-08:002009-01-20T12:18:49.296-08:00

Many of us are moved by the beauty of nature and Sue Reed has a bold and unique take on the colors and patterns found there. Abstract and magical, she creates powerful and provocative images such as "Shape Shifters" above. At first glance, it is simply light playing on the water ripples of a creek, but a longer look reveals the hint of someone or something lurking within. Many of her "figurative 

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-57316210134529089842009-01-10T16:48:00.000-08:002009-01-10T16:48:01.024-08:00

Bright colors and light subject matter, poppies are enough to cheer anyone up.  William Wheeler has both working for him in his series, on the Life of a California Poppy.  Not sure it's really a California variety he's painting.  I'm a Southern California native and have seen my share of the bright orange beauties covering hillsides and lining freeways, but if Wheeler sees them as little white

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-55332869798739103542009-01-05T11:49:00.000-08:002009-01-20T12:16:39.533-08:00

We've had our fill of shopping and gift-giving, eating and drinking, traveling to relatives homes or hosting guests.  The hectic days of December have given way to the sigh of relief and relaxation.  As we put away the decorations and put the tree out on the curb, we turn our attention to the balance of winter ahead.  Do we find sanctuary in the quiet, cool days?  A time to return to our pace,

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-77655174461285074822008-10-29T08:05:00.000-07:002008-10-29T10:01:18.535-07:00

It takes innovation and skill to draw elegance out of stone.  T Barny starts with selecting the raw chunk of marble, matching the color with his vision, then carves and shapes it into light and fluid, almost translucent, abstract designs suggestive of seashells and sea creatures.  For the entire T Barny collection in stone, steel, bronze, wood, water and ice, check out his web site at

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-67031082801039681492008-10-28T17:38:00.000-07:002008-10-28T17:38:00.721-07:00

Every rug tells a story. Every fiber from the animal is tamed into threads and coerced into textiles.The result is a textural story artistically woven together into a resilient rug that no one in their right mind would put on the floor and walk across.  These rugs are pleasing to touch because of their animal essense, but they are especially pleasing on the eyes.  The award-winning example above,

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-31513059079322090672008-10-28T10:06:00.000-07:002008-10-28T10:37:11.584-07:00

Oscar's personal tour of his home studio revealed an extensive collection of female nudes done in various techniques, all maximizing the mysterious, sensuality of the form.   Take a look at this oil and egg tempera on canvas - Torso.  Exquisite lines and shadows draw an elusive, yet alluring temperament. Oscar's Exhibit, Configuraciones, opens November 7, 2008 at the Napa Valley Museum through

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-6819226455942778542008-10-24T17:21:00.000-07:002008-10-28T10:31:10.821-07:00

(copyright Edmund Ian Grant 2008 all rights reserved)Ed Grant talked us through his expansive Villa Spankadellik like a tour guide in Rome.  His humor and passion for his subject was evident in each piece as he showed us his entire collection room by room.  Jazzy, romantic, vibrant, humorous and sometimes political:  the painting above is called Psycho Babble.  Take a virtual tour yourself at his

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4255076448236179534.post-92143083726213867332008-10-22T17:44:00.000-07:002008-10-25T22:27:06.831-07:00

With the Open Studio events in Napa and Sonoma Valleys in September and October every year, we get a glimpse of the vastness of art that is created here year round.  I was especially impressed with the sublime tempera drawings of Oscar Aguilar Olea, the vibrant jazz & romance paintings of Ed Grant, the woven masterpieces of Barbara Stafford, the woodworking of Jerry Kermode, and the

artceteranoreply@blogger.com0