We’re going through some growing pains as we pivot to resurrect EBSQ’s original blog. Please stand by!
It’s been a while
(dusts off microphone)
Hello, all of you beautiful people of the interwebs! Yes, we’re still here. Long time, no post! Just because we haven’t been vocal in this space doesn’t mean we aren’t still actively working behind the scenes to keep EBSQ moving forward. We have a lot of plans in the works for 2019, including a revival of EBSQ’s exhibition calendar. Keep watching this space!
Onward & upward!
-Amie on behalf of Team EBSQ
Call for Artists:: Waxing Lyrical
EBSQ is accepting entries for Waxing Lyrical through 29 February 2016. The full prospectus can be found here. The Member’s Choice winner will receive $100 cash! So what are you waiting for? Find a song whose lyrics inspire you and get creating!
Get Inspired in 2016
This year, EBSQ is continuing its commitment to supporting its member artists by hosting monthly exhibits with a $100 cash prize for the winning entry voted upon by you.
Take a look at this year’s schedule. Maybe a theme or two will catch your eye. Try something new. Revisit something old. Be brave and enter an exhibit. I can guarantee you’ll be in good company. And perhaps you’ll be the one who takes home the next prize.
Swimmer by Alessandro Andreuccetti from January 2016’s Go Figure exhibit
In case you didn’t get yesterday’s memo
Are you ready to get “Ripped Off”?
This annual collaborative art event, now in its 15th year, is like no other at EBSQ
Image above: 2014 Ripped Off winner Fractured Fractal Caladium by EBSQ Artist Elizabeth Fiedel
A bit of history:
Ripped Off was started back in 2001 as a direct response to a slew of copiests ripping off EBSQ member art on selling it on eBay, the same venue where they discovered it. We decided to create an event where permission was given to riff on another member’s art to create something new that still related strongly to the original inspiration. We’re hoping this annual event has brought some awareness to how critical PERMISSION is, and a reminder that it’s not cool to simply “borrow” another artist’s vision and repackage it as your own for profit.
How Ripped Off works:
It’s actually pretty simple. EBSQ Artists are encouraged to look for one (or multiple) partners, and gain permission to create something based on a previously existing work done by their partner. The new piece should not be an exact copy, but rather an expansion of the original. In addition to generating new work, we’re hoping new friendships are formed as well.
What happens to the new work?
It’s up to the partners. Some people swap originals or provide a reproduction for their partner. Some people sell their new pieces. It’s completely between the two of you.
How do I find a partner?
You can either contact an EBSQ artist you already know, or put out a call for partners either on the EBSQ in-house forums or in our Facebook group.*
What do I need to include with my show entry?
In your accompanying artist statement, make sure you cite the name of the artist whose work you’ve ripped, the title that served as your inspiration, a write a bit about why you were attracted to the inspiration piece. Optionally, you may include a jpg of the original source work as one of your detail images to give others context for experiencing your work.
What about awards?
It pays to get involved! The Member’s Choice winner receives $100 cash and the artist whose work was ripped off receives $50 cash, simply for serving as inspiration!
What’s my deadline?
All Ripped Off entries must be in by 11:59 EDT on 31 July 2015. Voting starts the next day. Winners will be announced on 8 August 2015.
Speaking of exhibits–entries are still being accepted for Portrait of the Artist through 11:59 PM EDT on 30 June 2015. We’re looking for portraits of artists in the following genres: visual, literary, and musical. I personally know at least a dozen of you have perfect pieces just sitting in your portfolios–go on and enter! It doesn’t have to be brand spanking new to be eligible,simply never used in a previous exhibit.
With gratitude,
-Amie on behalf of Team EBSQ
http://www.ebsqart.com
Supporting living artists since 2000
* Not yet a member of our private EBSQ Facebook group? It’s already proving to be the easiest way to connect with your fellow artists and EBSQ staff. Simply apply through the page itself or reply to this message, indicating your interest in the FB group if you’re a paid member, and we’ll make sure you get an invite!
Portrait of the Artist: EBSQ June Exhibit
We often recognize the art, but do we recognize the artist? This month’s challenge is to celebrate the artist via portraiture. Artists may be visual, literary, or musical. Please make sure to let us know the subject of your art and a bit about the artist in question. Oh–and since we’re all artists here, self-portraits are welcome as well!
EBSQ May Exhibit Winners
Hydrangea Bouquet by C.E.S
Forget-Me-Nots by Patricia Lee Christensen
Congratulations to our Naturally Blue Flowers exhibit winners!
Member’s Choice:
Member’s Mention:
Forget-me-Nots by Patricia Lee Christensen
Cloud Awards:
To be announced soon.
Resisting Convention
Be careful what you wish for
cause you might not be dreaming big enough.
This short talk from Dar Williams is full of truth and creativity goodness. Williams is a singer-songwriter, but her experiences and advice apply to anyone working a creative field.
Naturally Blue Flowers: EBSQ May Exhibit
Last month’s exhibit was restricted to photography only. This month we’ve opened the door! You can paint/draw/ photograph your entries but they must be naturally blue flowers, like forget-me-nots. Other examples include hydrangeas, salvias, and Himalayan poppies.
Quitting Your Day Job
Published on Apr 9, 2015
I recently received an email asking for advice on how one quits their day job and starts an independent career in art. It’s a question I get from time to time, and I thought I’d take a moment today and give some advice to people who are thinking about it.
Link to my Drawing Comics class: http://svslearn.com/#/classDetail/-Jk…
Pen I’m using: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001…
Pencil I’m using: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003…
Paper I’m drawing on: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000…
Website: http://mrjakeparker.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/mrjakeparker
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jakeparker#
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeparkerart
EBSQ April Exhibit Winners
The Lonely Petunia by Vicky Knowles
Boop Boop a Doop by Susan Linville
Loop-de-Loop by Susan Linville
Drip Drop by Lisa Miller
Congratulations to our Raindrops on Roses exhibit winners!
Member’s Choice:
The Lonely Petunia by Vicky Knowles
Member’s Mention:
Cloud Choice:
Boop Boop a Doop by Susan Linville
Cloud Mention:
Loop-de-Loop by Susan Linville
Kickstarter: Help me Build my Portfolio
EBSQ artist Tabatha Rhodes is running a Kickstarter!
What is an artist without a portfolio to back them up? I am shifting my artistic path and I need your help to rebuild my portfolio.
Tabatha Rhodes is taking the plunge! She wants to build a career in art with pet portraits. Will you help her? The campaign is already 96% funded, but there are still 22 days left to take advantage of the great rewards she’s offering.
I’ve chosen the $10 Pledge for a Digital “PetHedz” Portrait of my cat Drusilla:
A digital drawing of your pet or animal of your choice done in my “PetHedz” style delivered to you via e-mail. This will be formatted for printing (think mugs, phone cases, pillows!) or to use on the internet or whatever you want!
I can’t wait! Check out Tabatha’s Kickstarter today! http://kck.st/1Dn5RAI
Carolyn Schiffhouer: Digital Photographic Artistry
EBSQ Artist Carolyn Schiffhouer has a solo show running now till May 31 at the Red Brick Gallery in Foxburg, Pa. If you’re in the area don’t miss out on her beautiful visions!
Where and When:
April 24 – May 31
Red Brick Gallery
17 Main St.
Foxburg, Pa
Hours:
Friday 2:00 – 6:00
Saturday 11:00 – 7:00
Sunday 12:00 – 4:00
A Watercolor for Wednesday
Beautiful! Be sure to check out Ben DeLuca’s Youtube Channel for more time lapse videos.
EBSQ March Exhibit Winners
When I Grow Up by Heather Sims
Carousel Goat by Carolyn Schiffhouer
Camille by S.D. Wyatt
Chicken Girl by Windi Rosson
Congratulations to our Chicken or Goat exhibit winners!
Member’s Choice:
When I Grow up by Heather Sims
Member’s Mention:
Carousel Goat by Carolyn Schiffhouer
Cloud Choice:
Cloud Mention:
Exhibit Results:
23 Chickens
6 Goats
Raindrops on Roses: EBSQ April Exhibit
April showers make for some magical outdoor photography. Mundane objects take on a jewel-like quality when wet. This month, we challenge you to get outdoors and show us a bit of that discovered magic. This exhibit is not restricted to only roses. Show us your raindrops on anything!
Window Light Oil Painting Demo
If you’re not familiar with the art of Dave Palumbo, you’re missing out, but not for long. I hope this beautiful time-lapse demo inspires you!
Friday Five: Art Seen
I think Spring has come to EBSQ. Here’s a peek at some of the fantastic, fresh art from the EBSQ front page.
Sunflower by CES
Pug and Rose 2 by Melinda Dalke
Sunflowers in the Field by Delilah Smith
Vase of Daisies Polish Pottery LXXXVIII by Heather Sims
Red Rock Canyon by Marcia Baldwin
Be Unique – Be You
I don’t know if I believe in Fate, but I do know when the universe is nudging me in a certain direction. While thinking about today’s blog post for EBSQ I stumbled upon two things: a wonderful calligraphy message from illustrator and designer Fathima Kathrada and a quote by Seth Godin.
***
Of course it’s difficult…
Students choose to attend expensive colleges but don’t major in engineering because the courses are killer.
Doing more than the customary amount of customer service is expensive, time-consuming and hard to sustain.
Raising money for short-term urgent projects is easier than finding support for the long, difficult work of changing the culture and the infrastructure.
Finding a new path up the mountain is far more difficult than hiring a sherpa and following the tried and true path. Of course it is. That’s precisely why it’s scarce and valuable.
The word economy comes from the Greek word for scarcity. The only things that are scarce in the world of connection and services and the net are the things that are difficult, and the only things that are valuable are the things that are scarce. When we intentionally seek out the difficult tasks, we’re much more likely to actually create value.
Both messages essentially say the same thing. Be you. Be unique. I think we all need to be reminded of this from time to time, but artists especially. We are surrounded by other amazing artists and all of us at one time or another have thought, I want to paint like that! But if you want to stand out–make a mark for yourself–you need to be unique. You need to be you.
Watercolor Sketching with Cathy Johnson
Cathy Johnson is a long-time member of EBSQ. In 2012 she did a series of free workshops with Strathmore Papers. Those video lessons are now on Youtube!
Art & News from EBSQ 