If you want more instructions on the button above, click the "read more" link below.

I’ll be using Google’s GrandCentral program for this. 

How it works.  Enter your number in the button after you click on it, by default, it keeps your number private (even from me).  The service will then call you, and you will hear my voice saying something to the effect of "Thanks for coming to the blog, leave your message and I’ll post it."

Post from: Artist Hideout

Below are Eight lists posts from some of our bloggers around the Arts and Design channel here at b5media of things they found interesting or have gleaned from experience.

Enjoy.

1. 10 Quilting Sites & Blogs That Excite Me: Check out some of the quilting web sites and blogs Mary Emma finds interesting and inspiring.
2. It’s a list of 25 DIY Jewelry Sites by Tammy over at Jewelry and Beading.
3. Chloe lists 20 reasons why having your own workspace is great.
4. Also, Chloe has a few (more like 30) needs in her new studio that you might identify with in creating your own studio workspace.
5. For my own entry here on Artist Hideout, I listed 25 art forms and artists who already use them.
6. Noreen over at hankering for yarn is passionate about small loom weaving and has made a short list of a few reasons why.
7. Christine over at Mad Cropper gives you her Top 10 favorite posts in her blog. Wanna know more? Read on!
8. Noreen,  also at hankeringforyarn, has been enchanted by a very special doll that has taken on a life of her own: Tottie Tomato.  Tottie Tomato is on a journey, and Noreen has been posting about it….. read all about it in the Chronicles of Tottie Tomato (and yes, Tottie  REALLY is a Tomato…..)

Post from: Artist Hideout

I guess it’s been around awhile, but I only just found it via Dan over at www.EmptyEasel.com (by the way Dan, I love the new design…  I didn’t catch it when you put it up because I read your feed, but nice job).

The art blog www.linesandcolors.com had recently caught my eye as a great resource for learning more about particular artists and art forms as well as a few other tidbits of great information.

Here’s a few particular links I found interesting at Lines and Colors today:

How Not to Display Your Artwork on the Web

How to Display Your Art on the Web

Preparing images for the web

Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga and Graphic Novels

Also a nice little post on one of my favorite artists:

Ron Mueck

Post from: Artist Hideout

Dale Chihuly’s site has some really amazing glass sculptures, but recently, I have been quite intrigued by his Seaforms.

Take a look at some of these amazing works.

See more at www.chihuly.com

Post from: Artist Hideout

Backwoods Fest 2007

Jay Risner, pictured here with two of his sculpted vultures, took some time to talk with me today about

his sculptures at the Backwoods Fest in Thornville, OH. 

Now craft shows/art markets are more than just a place to go to showcase your work, they also can serve as inspiration and help you innovate your own methods by checking out what other people are using that work for certain effects.

Even though we spoke only briefly, Jay was more than happy to talk about his work and share some great insights into the work he does.

Another Artist who I really enjoyed his work, was more into selling his work than actually talking about it at all. 

But I did like his fountains enough to show a blurred image here ->

Basically they were found item assemblages that were worked into fountains.  He only sells at festivals, provides no information about how to contact him, but advertises lifetime guarantee on his fountains. 

How do you contact the guy to say "Hey, my fountain broke?"

I personally almost bought one of these pet rocks just to say I have one, but it’s amazing how the concept has flourished in craft shows.

So, maybe that will be a future project.

Post from: Artist Hideout

So I’ve started a list of Art Forms and Artists who use them.

My list is now at 25, but I’d love to feature you and your unique art form too if you have something different from what is listed.

These are in no particular order, but have fun exploring each and checking out each artists work.

1. Conte – Aaron Saaco
2. Inkwash – David Hayward (flickr)
3. Acrylic painting – Nancy Standlee
4. Oil painting – Michael Story
5. Charcoal – Erin Fostel
6. soft pastel – Casey Klahn
7. oil pastel – Tonya Bond
8. fumage – Me (sometimes)
9. henna – Khadija Dawn Carryl
10. glass etching – Christine Masters
11. Pen and Ink – Hugh MacLeod
12. Encaustic painting – Brad Ellis
13. Airbrush – Mike Learn
14. scratchboard – Greg Murray
15. watercolor – Ryan Petrow
16. colored pencils – Gayle Mason
17. pencil drawing – J.D. Hillberry
18. assemblage – Deborah Hayner
19. Screen printing – Kristy (craftgrrl)
20. Stamping – Katelyn Thomas
21. Digital Illustration – Bryan Ballinger
22. Digital Animation – Channel Frederator
23. Enamel Paint – Jackson Pollock
24. clay – Viki Hardin
25. collage – Collage Artists of America

Post from: Artist Hideout

This is 20″x14″ watercolor.

I featured Ryan’s work awhile back and love his unique style.

Post from: Artist Hideout

But of course, they are the work of an amazing artist, Michael Story. Michael’s work not only shows a beauty of the landscapes painted, but a great understanding of them as well.

Michael shares a little bit about his background below:

Art and music are rooted in my family history. My great uncle and grandmother were jazz musicians, and my grandfather, who was a professional artist, was my first teacher. From a very young age, I knew that I wanted to be an artist so I feel fortunate to have always been encouraged by my family to follow that dream. Starting as a sign painter, working summers during high school, I’ve never wavered from pursuing my goal. In the years since, I’ve followed a career path that has taken me down many roads. From designer to illustrator, portrait artist to landscape painter, I feel as though I’ve come full circle. And today I’m doing what I truly love.

Coastal River Journey 30″ x 48″

Lone Egret 24″ x 36″

Riverscape III 24″ x 36″

I would encourage you to read more about Michael and check out the rest of his work over at his site by clicking on the graphic below.

Post from: Artist Hideout

I ran across this page today and I thought I’d share. It takes a Child’s drawing and an artist comes along after the child and “finishes” the work.

Here’s an example.

or this one

I may have to take a blank canvas to church on Sunday and ask some kids to draw on it and see what I can come up with using their work as inspiration.

You can check out more work here too

Post from: Artist Hideout

At present, I only have this available as an mp4 file so you will need either iTunes or a compatible player to open it. (because Google is encountering an error)

Post from: Artist Hideout