Art–Upcoming Art Exhibition

I’ll be participating in a group exhibition with my Kalavishakar friends between 1-5 May 2014 at the Punjab Kala Bhavan in Chandigarh.

This isn’t one of the paintings I’ll be exhibiting, it’s just one that I’m currently working on.

Self-portrait With Croton

I'm practicing in water-colors this week. This is a work-in-progress and in color. I switched to B/W to check if I'm getting the tonal values right.

Art–New Landscape Paintings

 

So I’ve started work on four new landscape paintings (24 by 24 inches, oil on canvas), and I’m very pleased with myself so far. In fact, I like the orange and blue contrast so much (yes, it’s orange and blue) that I’m wondering if I shouldn’t leave these as they are.

Meijin, the canine critic, doesn’t care one way or the other. The only art he appreciates is of the culinary kind.

Artists Need Discipline

Someone I know said that 'should' and 'must' are self-limiting words, especially for artists. There is no 'you should make art', no 'you must work hard'. If you have to force yourself, it is completely pointless, he said, being inspired to do art is more to the point.

Which, from one angle, is true, but then again if you wait around to be inspired and inspiration strikes you once in a blue moon, you won't be producing much or any art, would you?

Read more about why artists need discipline.

The Smartist–Art Teachers

Sunday Trip–No Time

What is Information Architecture?

Information architecture deals with the structure and organization of a website. It takes into consideration the purpose and goals of the website, and also the way that visitors are likely to use the site. The content and design of the website is then planned and arranged accordingly, and in an easy to use and efficient manner.

Read more…

Should You Work for Free?

I just came across yet another discussion on LinkedIn about whether an artist should work for free, be it for exposure or on spec. There is no dearth of these kind of discussions, because there are always people who think it’s fine for artists to ‘contribute’ for free, either because they don’t understand that art-making is work or because they want something for nothing. The interesting – and sad – part is that some artists are actually willing to play along with this and to their own detriment.

You could explain why it is not right and not to your benefit to work for free or on spec, how it harms your career and your self-respect, how it negatively affects the whole industry in the long run, and you will still come across some fellow artist who will raise a dissenting voice and repeat all the schlock about ‘exposure’ and ‘prestige’. I'm not sure if they really believe it or if they simply want to be contrary, and, of course, what someone wants to do in their life is their own concern, but it is not a career-enhancing strategy. Except for doing things for your family, close ones, and any cause really important to you, which is a totally different matter, there really is no professional benefit to spreading yourself thin for nothing in return.

Read more…

Sunday Trip–The Narcissist

Sunday Trip–Emotive Art

Sunday Trip–The Art Critique

WIFI–Chinese Gardens

 

I’m deeply interested in horticulture and garden designing, and it’s always fun to come across videos like this one. It takes a look at some really beautiful Chinese artwork – and the influence of Chinese gardens on them.

How to Become an Artist

How To Become an Artist.  New article on Maysun In C.

Sometimes I like getting up on the soapbox. Besides it’s only advice I give myself all the time. I wouldn’t dream of dosing anyone with medicine I didn't personally take.

New Year Resolutions

Video - Faces in Pastel

We have a new YouTube channel, and I'm experimenting with Photo Story 3. It's fun and very easy to use. I particularly liked the custom music option.