These are free opportunities for artists and creatives with zero tolerance for fees. Just like you, I’m fed up with all the fees that organizations charge to support their businesses at artists’ expense. In my opinion, expenses must be covered by the sponsors, not the artists. So, I’ll be adding new, free contests, grants, and opportunities for artists on this page.
A lady reading letters of Heloise and Abelard-1780 by Auguste Bernard d’Agesci, oil painting, Art Institute of Chicago
The Pollock-Krasner Foundation provides financial resources for visual artists to create new work, acquire supplies, rent studio space, prepare for exhibitions, attend a residency and offset living expenses. The Foundation welcomes, throughout the year, applications from visual artists who are painters, sculptors, and artists who work on paper, including printmakers. There are no deadlines. Grants are intended for one year. The Foundation will review expenditures relating to an artist’s professional work and personal expenses and amounts range up to $50,000. The individual circumstances of the artist determine the size of the grant. Professional exhibition history will be taken into consideration. Artists must be actively exhibiting their current work in professional artistic venues, such as gallery and museum spaces. https://pkf.org/apply/
The Sharpe-Walentas Studio Program awards rent-free non-living studio space to 17 visual artists for year-long residencies in DUMBO, Brooklyn. https://www.thestudioprogram.com/apply
This podcast is sponsored by Evolve. Evolve can teach anyone how to paint in a realism style to a professional level in a year. They offer online lessons, support and also provide the materials you need. To find out more sign up for a free masterclass at https://kickinthecreatives.com/evolvewebinar
Planning your art composition before you paint
How taking time on the initial planning can be the difference between a successful piece and an unsuccessful piece
Taking time to plan, can save you time in the long run
Asking the opinions of others if you are unsure
If it’s a still life, try arranging and rearranging your initial set-up and photographing in lots of different ways
Take photos and use a grid to determine your focal points
Crop your photo in various ways to see what works best
Draw thumbnail sketches
Look for an overall shape that flows
Aim for various angles and not too many of one
Sometimes offsetting something so it’s on a third can help
Tara talks about the commission she did where sherealised that not having an initial sketch in this particular painting, had her having to do it three times
Sandra talk about the aha moment when they had our chat, that there were too many verticals and they needed breaking up
Support us on Kofi
This week’s creative question
Q. What do you listen to while you create and does your choice affect the results?
The best answers will be read out on a future podcast.
You can Tweet us your answers @KickCreatives or let us know in the Facebook Group, which by the way if you haven’t already joined, I highly recommend that you do! We will put the question up there and also on the Facebook page… and of course, on our Instagram page @kickinthecreatives.
If you have any suggestions for the podcast or our challenges please feel free to get in touch.
Through colorful squiggles embedded with games, trampolines, and sculptural trees, a new public park in Guangzhou, China, re-envisions the possibilities of play.
“Wired Scape,” which design firm 100architects bills as an “an entangling forest of imagination and fun,” takes inspiration from the natural landscape to create a one-of-a-kind playground in a residential area. Trees resembling balls of colorful wire appear to spin out of the ground, and curvaceous green and blue forms reflect the interaction of land and water.
Lively trees made from pipes spiraling around central cores serve a triple purpose as climbable structures, shade-providing canopies, and supports for a series of interconnected bridges throughout the park. The overall aesthetic recalls computer-generated imagery in video games or animation.
100architects aimed to break away from traditional playground design and instead focus on the layout as a multigenerational space. Children’s imaginations are stimulated by myriad ways to jump, climb, slide, and run, while caregivers and parents have ample options for shaded seating with clear sight lines.
He was a musician, a songwriter, an actor, and a legend. But did you know he started as a painter?
A Soulful Art Legacy: Artworks Made by David Bowie
Just like many others around the globe, I was saddened by the departure of a great artist of our age – David Bowie. I have to admit, though, that my sadness is somehow selfish. I knew it wouldn’t be long until my turn to face the end of this life, just like my favorite artist who sang these songs to me and grew up listening to them. However, there are some artists behind the mask of sadness who are simply prompted to promote their freshly made paintings and prints to profit from shocked fans who want to pay tribute to their hero. On that very same day!
David Bowie’s own art
So, instead of sharing art made on the death of David Bowie, here I would like to share some of his very own body of work. Let’s pay real tribute to him by celebrating his creativity! David Bowie’s paintings show a knowledgeable approach to art, influenced by Frank Auerbach, David Bomberg, Francis Bacon, and Francis Picabia…
German Expressionism
In the spring of 1976, he and Iggy Pop left America ‘and moved to Berlin. They were fleeing the artistic cannibalism of Los Angeles. Berlin gave him access to a new life and new inspirations. And not just about music: Bowie, whose affinity for German Expressionist art far pre-dated his residence in Berlin, executed then a great number of lithographs and many portrait paintings. It had a great influence on his songwriting. He clearly isn’t a master, and there is a technical lack of practice to be seen, but there is also passion and great sensitivity.
“You aren’t dead as long as somebody is thinking about you.” Bertolt Brecht
Welcome to today’s art podcast, and today we’re going to chat about how our surroundings can affect our art. This could be anything from the music you play to how your art area looks.
This podcast is sponsored by Evolve. Evolve can teach anyone how to paint in a realism style to a professional level in a year. They offer online lessons, support and also provide the materials you need. To find out more sign up for a free masterclass at https://kickinthecreatives.com/evolvewebinar
We talk about
Music and other noise – Tara talk about your experiment
What about listening to inspirational talks – I used to do this when I painted
Environment – Talk about when I did my studio out
Others thrive only in a clean, calm and organised environment
Some people thrive amongst chaos and mess
Limiting your distractions. For example have your own space if possible
You might want paintings you have done nearby to inspire and refer back to
I used to hate coming into my art room as it reminded me of Graphic Design, but I have so much art stuff around me now that is going
I have a book shelf with art books in my room that are nice to have a look through when I am unispires
Pin board with positive feedback – we forget it so easily
Support us on Kofi
This week’s creative question
Q. Describe a real-life situation that has inspired your art in some way
The best answers will be read out on a future podcast.
You can Tweet us your answers @KickCreatives or let us know in the Facebook Group, which by the way if you haven’t already joined, I highly recommend that you do! We will put the question up there and also on the Facebook page… and of course, on our Instagram page @kickinthecreatives.
If you have any suggestions for the podcast or our challenges please feel free to get in touch.
It’s time for our bi-montly Open Wire, where you can pose your woodworking questions in the comments section below and we’ll do our best to answer them. Comments will close at around 5 p.m.
Note that there may be a lag between your asking and our answering. Chris is probably working on a chair, and I’m working on…healing. And editing the revised edition of “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” (photos for which are happening above).
Tom Leighton (previously) is known for highlighting plants’ photosynthesis process by swapping their characteristic greens for otherworldly fluorescent colors. Often focused on the nightlife of specimens found around his Cornwall home, Leighton photographs in a manner that turns common species into extraordinary subjects.
His newest series, Spines, expands on this trajectory. The macro images concentrate on the fine fibers cloaking stems and flowers. Water droplets cling to the surfaces as if the plants had just emerged from a heavy downpour. The glistening botanicals capture the surrounding light, while the thick dew drops add a glimmering, skewed view of the lifeforms that reside underneath.
Prints of Leighton’s images are available on his website. Keep up with his latest projects on Behance and Instagram.
The art industry has significantly evolved in recent years, particularly with the growth of remote employment options. Artists are free to expand beyond physical venues or traditional studio facilities. Instead, many people are using remote work to launch successful art careers. Whether you work as an illustrator, traditional or digital artist, you may now make a full-time remote living off of your creativity. Here is how.
Finding Remote Artist Jobs
First, you need to know what you’re good at and what you need to learn or accomplish to reach your artistic goals. Don’t take a random job that sucks your soul out. Your future job must help you build your skills and resume. So search for jobs that excite you! You want to be a great contributor to their business with your expertise and passion. Make a list of jobs you’d enjoy doing, tailor your resume to each specific job offer, and start your search. Fortunately, there are many sites where artists can post their resumes and apply for jobs.
Best Platforms for Remote Artist Jobs
There are websites made especially for artists who want to work remotely. These networks put you in touch with potential clients and present you with projects that fit your expertise. For instance, many remote artist jobs advertisements are available on Jooble.com, including opportunities for graphic designers, digital illustrators, and more. Furthermore, websites like Freelancer, Fiverr, and Upwork are great for finding freelance jobs. You want to build your skills and interests and these “small” jobs could grow into a nice creative career rather quickly.
Photo by Rachael Gorjestani on Unsplash
Creating an Impressive Online Portfolio
A beautiful but functional online portfolio is crucial for attracting prospective customers and employers. Your online portfolio should demonstrate your proficiency in working in a digital setting besides the traditional one.
Key Elements of an Effective Online Portfolio:
People judge us quickly, therefore, it’s essential to make a great impression instantly. Consider using websites such as Behance, Dribble, or your personal website with a portfolio to display your best and coherent work. Ensure it’s visually beautiful, simple to use, and thoroughly explains your job procedure. If you have different volumes of work, categorize them for easy access and presentation. Look at other sites and artists for possible ideas. Understand what makes their portfolio look great to inspire yourself to put your best foot forward with your artwork.
Tips for Your Portfolio:
Curate your best work to reflect your unique style.
Include a short bio and contact information so potential clients can reach you easily.
Update your portfolio regularly with new projects to keep it fresh and relevant.
Please be quick answering your email and phone! No one is going to deal with you, if it takes you a week to reply to a simple email request. Check your spam folder often as many emails go in there and you might miss out on opportunities because of that.
Networking in a Virtual World
It’s crucial to socialize and network with others in your field! Even if you plan working remotely, online communities help you build social standing and friendships. Participate in online forums, social media groups, and virtual exhibitions besides going to in-town gallery openings or art fairs. People work with people and this skill is a must to master in today’s busy world.
Best Platforms for Virtual Networking & how to grow your network
Start with sites like the Reddit art community, Instagram, LinkedIn, DeviantArt and other platforms. On these platforms, you may interact with other artists, present your work, and make connections with possible customers. Instagram benefits visual artists, LinkedIn facilitates business relationships, and Reddit offers insightful user comments. Don’t be annoying, rather make thoughtful comments or messages that can build a future relationship with a key figure of your choice. So engage in dialogue, comment on other people’s work, and offer your perspectives. You may want to publish your art portfolio in free magazines to build authority. You can also take part in online competitions and challenges but refrain from the paid ones as it could be a money-sucking pit. If you just start out, use free calls for art on Submittable platform. Some of them even pay a little bit of money for covers, writing, etc. These are some of art marketing methods for gaining recognition and connecting with other artists or possible customers. Overall, be proactive in your creative career and don’t wait to be discovered. This is one of major mistakes artists make.
Mastering Time Management as a Remote Artist
Finding the right balance between creativity and time management is one of the main issues artists face. Working from home or studio can make you inefficient and sidetracked. Remote artists must create their own methods for maintaining productivity and fostering creative energy. Know yourself and stick to a work schedule you can manage and enjoy. It’s more about building efficiency as opposed to working long hours.
Practical Time Management Tips
Set clear work hours: Create a workday-like plan weekly. Set start and end times to signify “work mode.” to yourself and others. This prevents work from leaking into personal time and promotes work-life balance.
Prioritize tasks: Start your day with the most urgent deadlines or projects. Start with the most complex or urgent tasks. After these high-priority duties, you can focus on personal creativity or smaller jobs. Trello and Asana can organize your workflow and prevent mistakes.
Take regular breaks: Working incessantly might deplete your creativity. Take breaks by briefly walking, working out, or leaving your desk to rejuvenate your mind.
Create a dedicated workspace: A workspace helps your brain associate it with productivity. Reduce distractions. Create a beautiful work space you want to live in. Have a window, house plants and your favorite objects to inspire you daily.
Use time-blocking techniques: Time-blocking allocates time to tasks. For example, you might dedicate mornings to client work and afternoons to personal projects or marketing. Leave evenings for painting. This method reduces multitasking by keeping you focused on one job.
Incorporate creative downtime: Read, explore outdoors, do yoga or try new painting techniques for creativity boost.
Set boundaries with clients and personal commitments: Remote artists often blur personal and business time. Set availability hours with yourself and clients. Never miss your deadlines and response times.
Monetizing Your Art
Artists working from home have various earning options besides working for clients. You can sell prints, license your art, or open a Patreon page to finance your initiatives. It takes time to see the results with these ideas because you’ve got to build a community around your vision and art first.
Exploring Different Revenue Streams
Beyond client work, artists can make money in other ways. Popular choices include:
Selling digital art: Etsy and Gumroad let you sell digital copies of your art, letting people buy and utilize it immediately. These could be pdf files or high-quality digital prints that people can print off of their printer. There is no shipping cost involved that eats into your profits. Look at top best-sellers on these platforms for inspiration and see what you can offer with your creative skill set.
Offering online classes: Teach others via pre-recorded videos or live workshops. Use Skillshare or Udemy to expand your audience without paying a dime for files storage.
Creating a passive income stream: You may make money by licensing your artwork for use on goods like phone covers, t-shirts, or prints through websites like Redbubble. Once again, it’s smart to look at best-selling artists to pick up on their strategies, etc. Building a fan base is crucial to sell merchandise.
Conclusion
A successful remote art job demands imagination, self-control, and astute financial acumen. Those who are proactive and are prepared to adapt have many opportunities. Because of the digital world, artists can now expand their professions, connect with people worldwide, and monetize their work in new ways.
Welcome to today’s art episode, and today we’re going to talk about our art year in review and our art goals for next year. We also explain why we missed an episode. This will be out last episode of 2023 so we wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays or whatever you celebrate. We look forward to your company again in March after a break.
This podcast is sponsored by Evolve. Evolve can teach anyone how to paint in a realism style to a professional level in a year. They offer online lessons, support and also provide the materials you need. To find out more sign up for a free masterclass at https://kickinthecreatives.com/evolvewebinar
We talk about
General round-up of this year – What we’ve learned from it
