You’ve put your heart and soul into your art: capturing that magic moment when your inner muse is stirred, setting up the ideal composition, and honing the details until it finally feels finished. Now it’s time to get out of the studio or out from behind the lens — and in front of an audience.

Now, where to share your work? We’ve gathered some tips and tricks that will help you find the right shows, competitions, fairs, retreats, and more.

Tap into the Power of Social Media

Social media has never been more important for artists looking to connect with an audience and discover venues to showcase their work. “I use Instagram and Facebook as my primary resources,” says oil painter Christopher Johnson. He goes on to say that social media “got me to where I am today with respect to shows. Instagram in particular helped me enormously.” 

Christopher recommends using social media as a way to research shows, connect with other artists to find events relevant to your art, and to ask questions that will help you determine if a particular event is right for you. He also recommends the Facebook group Art Fair Buddies: “It’s a collection of artists talking about various shows throughout the world,” Christopher explains. “It’s a helpful resource to gather info and ask questions.” 

Collage artist Richard Curtner also emphasizes the power of networking — on and off social media. He points out, “Once you start doing shows, you also get a lot of word-of-mouth [and] recommendations from other artists, especially artists that work in similar mediums.”

Join Relevant Art Societies

As you’re seeking shows and venues, don’t forget to focus on your niche. Joining professional societies centered on your primary medium will often qualify you to exhibit with them. From the National Watercolor Society to the Professional Photographers of America, if you create it, there’s likely a group devoted to it.

Explore 'Zines and Pubs

Art community trade magazines and publications often put out their own calls for entry or sponsor competitions. Many have cash prizes along with great exposure. Here are just a few to get you started:
Artists Magazine 39th Annual Art Competition. (Artist focus) With competitions in several categories — from still life to wildlife — this contest features tiered cash prizes for specific categories. New in 2022 are Grand Prize awards of $3,000, $2,500, and $2,000 cash. The 2022 early bird deadline is April 3, and the final deadline is May 29.
Communication Arts. (Graphic Artists, Designers, Photographers, Illustrators, Interactive) Around since 1959, CA is one of the most prestigious juried competitions in the world. There are separate competitions throughout the year for various genres. No cash prizes, but the solid aluminum trophy is worth bragging about.
The American Landscape 2022 Annual Photo Contest. (Photographers) Sponsored by Outdoor Photographer magazine, this competition is now in its 11th year. Categories are Nature’s Colors, Wildlife, and The American Landscape. In past years, prizes have included a $1,000 grand prize, a $500 second prize, and a $250 third prize.

Pound the (Virtual) Pavement

Nothing can replace time spent on doing your homework: online research, networking, and signing up for mailing lists. Sometimes there’s no magic formula other than a little creativity mixed with dedicated time — and as artists, we know a thing or two about both, don’t we? One quick tip: as you’re signing up for all those mailing lists, consider setting up a separate email just for art calls-for-entry. They can pile up quickly in your in-box, and having a separate account can help you keep things organized.

Click and You Shall Find

Here are some online resources to consult as you embark on your search for art shows and fairs this spring:

ArtShow: Includes a database of calls for artists, plus workshops and retreats.
Art Gallery Finder: Explore galleries across the U.S., organized by state.
Art Fair Calendar: Listings for craft shows and fine art festivals, searchable by region and by city. 
Art Jobs: International job listings for artists and a huge “Open Calls” site for creatives.
C4E: Art calls and opportunities are gathered into separate sections for artists and photographers.
Side Arts: From exhibitions to vendor events to residencies, find verified calls for visual artists of all kinds.
Sunshine Artist: Celebrating 50 years as an art and craft show resource, this magazine features reviews of art shows and fairs across the U.S.
AFSB: The Art Fair Sourcebook is designed to help artists and event organizers find the best fit for specific styles of work and price ranges.
ZAPP: Apply to a number of art shows from one central website.

Also, be sure to check out regional arts organizations for lists of events and calls for artists. Two useful organizations are Art and Seek (a North Texas hub for art news and events) and the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod (a regional nonprofit promoting and supporting the arts in the Cape Cod and Barnstable County area). 

Wishing you a prolific and profitable springtime! Let us know how it’s going with a comment below, or share your own favorite art-show scouting methods.

Last Updated December 17, 2022

You’ve put your heart and soul into your art: capturing that magic moment when your inner muse is stirred, setting up the ideal composition, and honing the details until it finally feels finished. Now it’s time to get out of the studio or out from behind the lens — and in front of an audience. […]

Growing up in Pennsylvania and flanked by Philadelphia and New York City, Charles Santora has long felt at ease navigating big cities. His urban comfort zone is now his life’s work, as he travels the world to photograph the human experience in urban landscapes.

Global Perspective

His assignments have taken Charles to London, Paris, China and many American cities. Using a signature point of view and processing style, Charles captures the essence of each scene in-camera, then digitally finesses these unique moments. The results range from crisp black-and-white streetscapes to colorful sunsets to painterly infrared portraits of Austin, Texas, where he now resides.

Gallery Hopping

Whether Charles is photographing street dancers catching air in Oakland, California, or opera singers in Wuhan, China, his goal is to “reveal the soul of the city.” As a way to transport his work, Charles has become fond of Frame Destination’s GalleryPouch. “I have bought 19 large size gallery pouches and have several more on order,” says Charles. “They are awesome! I now have a safe way to store my work at home and move my work safely between art fairs and galleries. Worth every penny.” Even though Charles expects 2021 to be all virtual art shows owing to the pandemic, like all of us he is waiting to see how the year pans out as more people receive COVID-19 vaccinations. In the meantime, he’s invested in his website with augmented reality and other cool experiential features.

See More of Charles’s Work

Charles shares his latest work (and before-and-after-retouching videos) on both Instagram and Facebook. His online portfolio is a great place to peruse his photo galleries. And keep reading the Q&A below to discover Charles’s personal guidelines for connecting with viewers, his latest project, and even his astrological sign.

Now for Artie’s Eight Q&A with Charles Santora …

1. What is your background; how did you get started?
It started out as a hobby, an intended distraction from a very stressful job when I was working on the Hurricane Sandy Reconstruction Project. I needed something to take my mind off of the work at nights and weekends. I had always enjoyed and appreciated photography, but had never dabbled in it on my own. Then my wife got me my first DSLR, and I was hooked. I fell in love with photography. As I educated myself on all aspects, I found the niche that really spoke to me. I had done portraiture, corporate headshots and even a wedding, but what I really enjoyed above all other niches is creating fine art prints. After building a portfolio of fine art images, I left the corporate world to become a full-time fine art photographer. It took some confidence-building to gain the courage I needed to make this huge move. My friends and coworkers encouraged me to have exhibitions. They love my work and that has been huge for me. I am so critical of my work, so opening up to accept and believe what others tell me about my work has really given me the confidence to do this full time.

2. How important is it for a photographer to "connect" with their subject?
It's huge! I have done a ton of portraiture and corporate headshots and its critical for the subject to feel comfortable and confident during the shoot. When subjects feel that connection with the photographer, they are more apt to relax and enjoy the moment; this will lead to portraits they love and are proud of. When the photographer and subject feel that connection, the subject will undoubtedly refer the photographer to others. This word of mouth generates more paid work for the photographer. For my fine art work, I want to take that “connection” in a little different direction. When I choose a photo to be exhibited, it’s one that I feel will create a connection with the viewer. That’s one of the test questions I ask about each proposed photograph when deciding if it should be made available for sale. Will the viewer connect with it emotionally? Will the viewer see themselves as the person (subject) in the scene? Will they feel they are part of the scene and actually want to be there? It has to pass this connection test.

3. What has been a formative experience or the best advice you’ve received within your career?
Zero in and fine tune your area of expertise by shooting what you truly love to shoot and have that be the focus of the art you create. I was shooting portraiture and headshots but what I truly enjoyed shooting was fine art images. And the fine art images that I truly love to create is urban portraiture and cityscapes. This will lead to the artist being known and recognized as an expert in that specific area. Art buyers interested in a specific genre of fine art images will better connect with artists who are known specifically for a particular genre and not an artist who is a jack-of-all-trades (good at many things but not great in any).

4. In what ways does your work reflect your personality?
I was born in Philadelphia and spent much of my life in New Jersey, nestled between Philadelphia and New York City. Living in close proximity to these two metro areas influenced and inspired my appreciation for architecture and city life. I feel a strong connection to documenting the relationship between man and structure — the coexistence with architecture and infrastructure that city life necessitates. I've been told that my work is clean, modern and well composed. I like to think my work as being well organized and fitting tightly into a specific genre as well. This is very much modeled after my personality. My wife tells me its because of my Virgo traits.

5. Creative blocks, do you get them? If so, how do you overcome them?
I do indeed get creative blocks. I overcome them by getting out and shooting. I will walk around a city exploring and collecting ideas for fine art images that stimulate me. I try not to pressure myself before I head out by insisting on a quota for great photos. In fact, recently I’ve been teaching myself to be more deliberate and more picky with the shots I take. This has helped me to be under less pressure to achieve great images, and to be more patient. This patience leads to more creativity. I also like to look at other photographers' work to get inspired. It's not that I strive to be better than anyone (that's just silly), but it motivates me to be a creator with my own signature style. It's a great way to take a break from your work and appreciate the work of others and this in itself can get your creativity back on track.

6. What is your most indispensable tool? (Not counting the obvious, like paints, brushes, canvas, camera, etc.)
Tripod. The tripod allows me to get more creative with my images while also being more patient and thoughtful when composing a scene. As a rule, I try to achieve as much of my creative process in the camera as I can, and the tripod allows me to do this.

7. Do you have a new project you are working on, or a new passionate idea?
I have recently moved to Austin, Texas, and I am currently working on a portfolio of Austin city scenes and architecture. I am also planning to do some abstract fine art photography. This has come about due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to stay sheltered. I am looking for ways to do photography while bunkered-in at home, exploring ways this abstract work can complement my urban photography.

8. What "fad" gadget do you most regret purchasing?
My work is on paper and metal prints. Recently I had a couple images printed on lustre paper and face mounted to acrylic. I just do not like the look of acrylic prints as much as I do as metal prints and paper/frame. It's also very heavy, expensive and more tricky to hang.


All artwork and/or photographs used in this post are subject to copyright held by the featured artist.

ARE YOU READY FOR THE SPOTLIGHT? Simply respond to the questionnaire here to apply 
to be included in an upcoming Artie’s Eight Spotlight.

Last Updated February 22, 2021

Growing up in Pennsylvania and flanked by Philadelphia and New York City, Charles Santora has long felt at ease navigating big cities. His urban comfort zone is now his life’s work, as he travels the world to photograph the human experience in urban landscapes. Global Perspective His assignments have taken Charles to London, Paris, China […]

Taking inventory of your art may seem like the most tedious, left-brain thing you could ever do. And so, you resist. I did, too. For a long time my artwork resided in a giant portfolio loosely grouped into categories. However, when I had completed over a thousand images, I decided it was time to get better organized. Once I got started, I was delighted to discover that an inventory system streamlines the business realm of my art. Now when new opportunities pop up, I’m free to take them on.

Old School or Online

Full disclosure: I use a simple Excel spreadsheet to organize my art. But I’m fully aware that there are some creative, easy-to-use inventory software tools out there to explore. Whatever system you choose, it has to be meaningful in some way. Here are some tips to make the process a little less daunting.

Start at Oldest OR Newest Work

I always date my work, so it’s pretty easy for me to inventory from oldest to newest, which is my preferred method. However, if your work is updated, or the thought of digging through all your old art is stressful, then start inventorying your latest pieces first. That will give you momentum for tackling your past work. (Mind tricks are a beautiful thing.)

Include a Picture

Putting a picture of each artwork on your inventory sheet is probably a no-brainer for us artists. It helps you locate the item quickly and makes your spreadsheet a lot prettier to look at. Also, I personally get a sense of accomplishment when I see all my work together in one place neatly categorized.

Assign an Inventory ID

For my art inventory format, I assign a unique inventory ID for each piece of art. That ID — which doubles as a file name for the saved image — consists of a numerical prefix, a subject, and the artwork’s title. I’m an artist and illustrator whose main focus is food, and one of my illustration series is about sandwiches. All artwork in the “Sandwich” subject category is inventoried on a single spreadsheet page. My oldest piece in this series is titled “Hamburger,” so that inventory ID is: 001SANDWICHHAMBURGER. I choose prefixes with three digits because I figured that 999 sandwich prints would be all I would ever want to make. But if you are a really prolific artist, then you might want to go with four digits or more. If you work in several mediums, you should incorporate codes for each, such as OP for Oil Painting and PR for Print. And, if you collaborate with other artists, adding your initials can help avoid confusion. As you can imagine, there are endless ways to devise a numbering system. Play around with formats until you find something that feels intuitive to you.

This is a snapshot of my inventory spreadsheet page for sandwiches. You can add as much information as you feel necessary. Be sure to save your inventory file in a location other than your PC or laptop — for example, Cloud Storage, External Hard Drive, USB Stick, etc. Or if your art inventory is small you can even print it and tack it up for inspiration.    

Inventory Sheet

Include Key Details

Whether you use a simple spreadsheet or a fancy online app, cataloging your work includes making note of important information. This includes the full title of each piece, the category (such as sculptures or textiles), date created, edition number, signature (state whether it's signed or unsigned), mediums used and dimensions (include height, width, and depth with clarity on whether you’re talking inches, centimeters, or some other measuring unit). Other items to take note of include expenses (to help you set the price, and for taxes), location (at a gallery exhibit, in the attic?), and the price. The latter is vital in pricing future work and keeping track of price changes from one venue to another.

Online Options

For those who readily embrace digital organization, go exploring. Many platforms incorporate invoicing and contact management tools. Some allow you to import your spreadsheet, so you’re not totally recreating the wheel. We’ve heard good things about Artwork Archive, which has a reputation for being both intuitive and affordable. Others include GYST, ArtMoi, and ArtCloud.

Once your art inventory is complete, you can relax and enjoy the amazing feeling that comes with organization, awareness, and conquering a task you had been putting off.

I’m sending you virtual high fives for that.

P.S. Please comment below with your personal art inventory management system. We’d love to hear what works for you.

Last Updated February 21, 2021

Taking inventory of your art may seem like the most tedious, left-brain thing you could ever do. And so, you resist. I did, too. For a long time my artwork resided in a giant portfolio loosely grouped into categories. However, when I had completed over a thousand images, I decided it was time to get […]

When I started Frame Destination in my garage back in 2004, it wasn’t purely a business decision. Rather, my frustration as an amateur photographer is what inspired me. I wanted to build a brand that offered something I couldn’t find anywhere else: archival-quality frames hand-crafted for my artwork in digital sizes.

Artists Frame the Way We Do Business

For the last 18 years, Frame Destination has remained rooted in that early desire to give artists what they need to do their best work. Together with my wife and business partner, Joely Rogers, we’ve expanded our community beyond professional artists and photographers to include professional decorators, homemakers, retired hobbyists, gallery owners, students, teachers, clubs, societies — all members of the art industry.

Refining our Purpose

We distilled our brand purpose to six words: To inspire, honor, and showcase creativity. That purpose plays out by:

Inspiring ideas through professional art resources, industry insights, and DIY guides.

Honoring artistic efforts through art scholarships, art and photo club membership discounts, and tailored tools like our GalleryPouch™ art transport bags.

Showcasing creativity via artist spotlights and quality hand-made framing products that beautifully present works of art to the world.

This three-pronged brand purpose allows for our brand promise of advocacy for artists to flow in many directions.

Advocacy: Let Us Count the Ways

Joely and I define advocacy as to encourage support. Such a broad stroke fosters creativity in how we advocate for artists. Is it philanthropy? Is it promoting artists’ work? Is it sharing opportunities for growth? Is it offering innovative products to expand an artist's palette of tools?

The answer is all of the above! We’re excited to offer many expressions of our purpose and our advocacy promise. Some are new, some are a continuation of previous initiatives, but they’re all designed to benefit you as an artist. Here’s what you have to look forward to:

Prepare for Panda-monium with Zany Deals & Discounts. You probably know our beloved mascot, Artie the Panda. Artie will be coming at you in amusing ways, bringing you more discounts and better deals than ever before, especially during our “Pandapalooza” events. Watch your in-box and get ready to see a whole new side of Artie — and a good kind of pandemonium for a change.

Guest Artist Posts. As lifelong learners, Joely and I believe that a variety of voices enhances our perspective. So we’re bringing in guest artists and photographers to write about general topics like Building an Art Career, Marketing Your Art, and Establishing Your Own Artistic Style. We’ll get specific, too, with articles on California Landscape Photography, Artist Residencies, and much more.

Artist Spotlights. Arties Eight Q&A — interviews with artists and photographers around the country — continues to be a big hit. Not only will we spotlight 12 new artists, but we’re bringing fresh ways for Artie’s Eight Alumni to present their art to potential buyers and fans through our Artie Inspires initiative. If you haven’t yet been featured in an Artie’s Eight Q&A, don’t wait any longer! Click here to be considered.

Art Scholarships. Calling all students who share our passion for art and photography: This year and every year, we’re offering a $500 Frame Destination Scholarship to four deserving candidates — two per semester. Applications are open to undergrad and graduate students attending any accredited university within the United States, as well as students of Art Renewal atelier programs.

New Decor Products for Professional Decorators. If you earn your living making spaces beautiful, we want to honor your vision and skills with new product lines of classic and trending designs. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter and watch out for new product emails in your in-box soon. 

New Plein Air Products for Painters. Previously, we added a half dozen new frames designed especially for plein air artwork. We’re not stopping there; we’ll be expanding this offering with more stylized frames including smaller plein air frames and frames with deeper rabbets. 

Pro Resources & Trends. Our industry is constantly evolving, and we want to share new trends with you. This year we’re offering brand-new resources for framers, like an updated framing glossary and an educational framing module that includes tips for matting and canvas stretching. 

Event Sponsorships. Building on last year, we’re planning more opportunities for art clubs to gain sponsorships and event giveaways ranging from $75 to $1000 per event. Frame Destination is committed to supporting art financially, wherever we can.

Club & Student Membership Discount. Sign up for our Exclusive Student/Club Discount for university art students and faculty, as well as photo and art club members. The discount is automatically applied, with no code to remember or minimum purchase requirements.

There you have it! As this year continues to unfold, we’re right here with you, ready to support, encourage, and advocate. If you have other ideas for how we can enrich your life as an artist, feel free to let us know.

Last Updated March 30, 2022

When I started Frame Destination in my garage back in 2004, it wasn’t purely a business decision. Rather, my frustration as an amateur photographer is what inspired me. I wanted to build a brand that offered something I couldn’t find anywhere else: archival-quality frames hand-crafted for my artwork in digital sizes. Artists Frame the Way […]

Growing up in California, Jessica Cardelucci was never far from ocean waves or wild mustangs. Both are subjects of her artistic endeavors, and horses are especially near and dear to her heart.

A Subject and a Cause

Although America’s mustangs are protected by federal legislation, population control efforts have led to removing horses off public lands. It’s a controversial issue, and Jessica is devoted to preserving an equine legacy through her photography. She even spent a year volunteering at a seaside horse ranch, ending each day’s shift roaming the ranch and capturing imagery of these noble animals. As a fellow four-legged mammal, I appreciate her efforts!

Platinum Parallel

Jessica uses a 19th-century process that produces one-of-a-kind, handmade platinum prints. The medium is intentional: The rarity of platinum is Jessica’s way of paralleling the fleeting moments she has spent with wild horses, whose future is far from certain. The photo above, titled “Bolt,” is presented in our Metal Profile 11 in Frosted Black. “Frame Destination has made framing my artwork so effortless … while using the highest quality materials,” says Jessica. “The frames have always arrived professionally packaged in flawless condition.” We’re happy and honored to have a part in Jessica’s beautiful work.

See More of Jessica’s Work

Explore Jessica’s photography through her online portfolio and on Instagram. Beyond black-and-white imagery of horses, you’ll find black-and-white seascapes along with candy-colored ocean images whimsically titled “Salt Water Taffy.” In my Q&A with Jessica below, she shares what she’s been up to while sheltering in place in California.

Now for Artie’s Eight Q&A with Jessica Cardelucci …

1. What is your background; how did you get started?
I've always had a passion for photography as long as I can remember. As a kid, my favorite part of family trips was exploring the outdoors with the disposable film cameras my mom gave me. My love for photography never faded and I continued to explore the art. I am mostly self-taught from my personal projects and natural drive to create.

2. How important is it for a photographer to “connect” with their subject?
It is important to connect with your subject to tell your story. If you dont understand what your work is about, you cant expect others to understand.

3. What has been a formative experience or the best advice you’ve received within your career?
Failure is part of success, never stop learning.

4. What ways does your work reflect your personality?
My personality is very vibrant and outgoing, whereas my photographs are more intimate and express what moves me. They are opposites that complement one another.

5. Creative blocks, do you get them? If so, how do you overcome them?
Im currently stuck in a creative block as we speak. Ive been forcing myself to join Zoom artist talks and get outside to create new images even if nothing comes of it. I overcome these hurdles by continuing to push forward.

6. What is your most indispensable tool? (Not counting the obvious, like paints, brushes, canvas, camera, etc.)
Adobe Photoshop! I grew up in the digital age and even though I have a love for printing and the handmade platinum processes, I also love the digital workflow.

7. Do you have a new project you are working on, or a new passionate idea?
Ive been playing with cyanotypes while sheltering in place. Im not sure if I will complete a body of work in this medium but its been fun to get my hands dirty while stuck at home.

8. What “fad” gadget do you most regret purchasing?
An underwater splash housing. I love our oceans and my husband surfs, so I had a vision of diving into underwater photography. It turns out Im not the strongest swimmer and should really stick to the things I know best, like horses and seascapes — from the shore!

Jessica Cardelucci

All artwork and/or photographs used in this post are subject to copyright held by the featured artist.

ARE YOU READY FOR THE SPOTLIGHT? Simply respond to the questionnaire here to apply 
to be included in an upcoming Artie’s Eight Spotlight.

Last Updated January 21, 2021

Growing up in California, Jessica Cardelucci was never far from ocean waves or wild mustangs. Both are subjects of her artistic endeavors, and horses are especially near and dear to her heart. A Subject and a Cause Although America’s mustangs are protected by federal legislation, population control efforts have led to removing horses off public […]

A new, and hopefully, much better year has begun. One of the questions on my mind as we move into 2021 is about our role in society as creatives, which just happens to be question #2 of our Artie's Eight questions for fine artists.

“What role do you think the artist plays in society?”

I couldn’t help but draw hope and comfort from the responses we received in 2020, a tumultuous year for all of us. The artists we featured this past year span the country — from Palm Springs, California, to Nyack, New York. They span artistic mediums, too: pastels, oil paint, cut paper, digital mixed media, etc.

Equally varied are the perspectives shared on the artist’s part in civilization. Which led me to think: Why not round up all this enlightenment into one treasure trove of wisdom?

As you scroll through these seven quotes, think about which one resonates with you the most. Do you detect a common theme?


Artist as Connector

“Art transports people to a favorite memory or a feeling, and it connects people to each other. It starts conversations and relationships.”

Richard Curtner - Featured Artist

Richard Curtner, Collage Artist
Palm Springs, California
(Read the full Q&A here)


Artist as Comforter

“I’m at a stage in my life where art is a very peaceful, soothing, and comforting form of self-care … if [collectors] feel the same calmness and peace from my work as I do, then I am happy.”

Stacey M. Torres, Visual Artist
New Castle, Indiana
(Read the full Q&A here)


Artist as Influencer

“Art should inspire mindful and emotional reactions in those viewing the work. Even a negative reaction can cause one’s work to be remembered. I fume to this day about what I perceived to be a bad work of art I saw in Minneapolis in 2000. All these years later, and I am still shaking my head at the images.”

J Craig Platt, Artist
Western Montana
(Read the full Q&A here)


Artist as Observer

“I think artists have an opportunity to invite people to slow down, get closer, and take notice. We play a unique role: to bring lightness or introspection to topics that can be heavy and impersonal; to make personal or singular what feels global, immense, and collective.”

Lauren Aczon Artist

Lauren Aczon , Artist
Oakland, California
(Read the full Q&A here)


Artist as Mediator

“The arts need a renewal … Only by listening to the spiritual foundations of nature can humanity arrive at a more objective and morally compassionate orientation toward what is needed to be created for the self and for society. We have detached ourselves from nature for too long.”

Charles Andrade Art

Charles Andrade, Artist & Muralist
Roaring Fork Valley, Colorado
(Read the full Q&A here)


Artist as Interpreter

“I think artists help society process the human experience. Art has been an integral part of human history. Since before written records, we have evidence of art. Artists take what’s happening in the world and help people digest it.”

Megan Rowley Stern

Megan Rowley Stern, Mother-Artist
Provo, Utah
(Read the full Q&A here)


Artist as Inspiration

“As artists, our role is critical. Creative expression is vital to a healthy and open-minded society. Artwork inspires people, gives them hope and can touch a soul in a way that words cannot. The artist has a unique skillset to influence, inspire, and help others.”

Arties8 Christopher Johnson

Christopher Johnson, Abstract Oil Painter
Nyack, New York
(Read the full Q&A here)


Goodness as the Goal

The common thread I see is this: art should have a positive effect on our world. And there’s so much freedom in that imperative, because we can all contribute good in ways we’ve been gifted.

As we begin the New Year, let’s take these insights with us. Let’s look for ways to become involved in our communities and share our artistic points of view with our family, friends, community, region, and planet.

2021, here we come!

A new, and hopefully, much better year has begun. One of the questions on my mind as we move into 2021 is about our role in society as creatives, which just happens to be question #2 of our Artie’s Eight questions for fine artists. “What role do you think the artist plays in society?” I […]