Art Biz Blog

Visual artist reality series open casting calls July 11-19

Just received this email from the production company that did Project Runway and Top Chef.  They are casting a new show that will showcase emerging visual artists creating and competing on Bravo.

Full info on how to apply is available at www.BravoTV.com/casting.

Love or hate reality TV, this ought to be interesting. And don't you think it's high time that artists are given their due alongside dancers, musicians, chefs, worm-eaters, and show-all celebrities?

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Magical Elves (Peabody Award-winning Project Runway, Emmy Award-winning Top Chef) and Sarah Jessica Parker (Golden Globe- and Emmy Award-winner) and her production company, Pretty Matches, are teaming up for an hour-long creative competition series among aspiring contemporary artists who will create and compete to conquer the art world!

If you’re an emerging or mid-career visual artist with a unique, powerful voice that demands a bigger stage – well. . . Here.  It.  Is.

We want contemporary artists. Your medium could be one of many (or several of many) – painting, sculpture, installation, video, photography, mixed-media – we want voices that believe in their art and want the world to know.

*To be considered for the cast, attend one of our four regional casting calls around the country, see below.*

Go to www.BravoTV.com/casting to download an application and see what you need to bring with you to an open call.

GOOD LUCK.

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OPEN CALL INFO:
LOS ANGELES
LA><ART
Saturday July 11th & Sunday, July 12th
10:00am - 2:00pm

MIAMI
Fredric Snitzer Gallery
Tuesday, July 14th
10:00am - 2:00pm

CHICAGO
School of the Art Institute : Sullivan Galleries : 33 State Street
Thursday, July 16th
10:00am - 2:00pm

NEW YORK
White Columns
Saturday, July 18th & Sunday, July 19th
10:00am - 2:00pm

IE users: I'm not screaming at you--honestly

I guess my blog is looking a little wonky in Internet Explorer right now.

Notes:
I am not writing this post in all caps.
My sidebar and posts look quite normal in Firefox and Safari.

We're trying to see why this blog isn't playing nicely with IE. I'll let you know when I find out more.

Thanks for your patience.

Update Saturday, May 16: This issue has been resolved.

Office Spa Day winners

One of the bonuses from the recent Big Book Sale was a chance to win an Office Spa Day from Jennifer Hofmann at Inspired Home Office. The only stipulation is that you had to purchase 2 or more books to be entered.

Today was the day for the drawing. And the winners are . . .

Barbara Hawn (New Mexico) and Gael Murakami (Alaska)

Congratulations!

This blog is taking a little rest

I'm taking the rest of the week off and I hope you are, too! No Deep Thought Thursday, but I trust you'll have your own deep thoughts on Christmas Day.

I'll be thinking of you. Really. You're on my gratitude list every day.

And you can think of me in the snowy, snowy Colorado mountains . . . sipping eggnog and snowshoeing.

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah!

The annual eggnog recipe

For anyone new to the blog, I do have my traditions and eggnog is a big one.

Each year I share this recipe for Bert's Eggnog with readers. This stuff is the nectar of the gods. You need to prepare it the night before in order to let the flavors come together.

Those who were raised on eggnog from a carton won't like it. Those who despise eggnog because they think real eggnog tastes like that from a carton will be shocked--in a good way. I've made many an eggnog convert with this amazing recipe. The story of how it came to be part of our holiday tradition is on the document.

Also, I'm throwing in my favorite gingersnap recipe. I no longer eat wheat flour, but this was a staple for years. Enjoy these recipes and get your eggnog ready!

More book giveaways

These three people won copies of I'd Rather Be in the Studio! by completing the recent artists' survey.

Sue Copeland Jones
Oberlin, OH

Paula Snyder
Rio Rancho, NM

Roberta Smith
Salida, CO

Thanks to all who helped us out!

Image (c) Roberta Smith, El Mago

Journey juju and supporting an artist’s creative adventure of a lifetime

My coach, Cynthia Morris, is embarking on the journey of a lifetime--heading out for months (maybe longer) to explore her writing and embark on new creative pursuits. But something seems to have gone awry in the process. She can’t stop making these darn travel shrines! (They’re the only match boxes you can carry on a plane.) And she’s started a whole new blog where you can follow along on her travels: Journey JuJu.

Me and my travel shrine

I’m all for good travel mojo--especially with all of the hassles these days. So I signed on and have my own travel shrine. In fact, I’m now part of the travel shrine movement. (Did you hear about it?) Here’s a pic of my shrine at 25,000 feet on my way back to Denver on Wednesday. My seat mate didn’t mind because I had an empty seat next to me. How’s that for good journey juju?!

Get this . . . my last trip I didn’t have the shrine with me and is the time I had my camera stolen. I learned my lesson. That shrine is going on all my trips now. Whatever it takes.

Be part of the artist's journey

The coolest thing is that Cynthia is selling these shrines for just $24.95 and offering free shipping when you buy right now. By buying them, you create extra special karma because you are supporting an artist on her creative adventure. Not only that, a portion of the proceeds go to support an entrepreneur in the developing world through Kiva. That’s got to be awesome karma you can use for all of your trips--be they to the grocery store or to a distant land.

Cynthia’s travel shrines reminded me of Karen Bubb’s story of creative financing for her trip to China, which is documented in I’d Rather Be in the Studio! on pages 215-217.

Consider supporting an artist and getting good journey juju in return.

Artist survey: takes 5 minutes

I’m giving away more books!

I’ve teamed up with Kevin Houchin, legal and branding counsel for creative people and businesses, for a quick survey. We want to hear from you about the state of the professional art business from the view of the artist.

Your information is optional and confidential. We will use it only to notify you if you win a FREE copy of my book (several will be given) or 2 hours of Kevin’s legal consulting.

Stop and do this right now.

This survey takes about 5 minutes and is posted here:

http://www.zoomerang.com/survey.zgi?p=WEB227J5DM9LWP

The more artists that respond, the better (and more interesting) the data. Please share this link soon and often. The survey will be live for about one week.

Thank you!

Christmas Eggnog: Not for the faint of heart

A holiday gift for you to prepare in advance. Make sure you let the flavors come together at least overnight.

A couple of years ago I shared this eggnog recipe with readers. This stuff is the nectar of the gods.

Those who were raised on eggnog from a carton won't like it. Those who despise eggnog because they think real eggnog tastes like that from a carton will be shocked. I've made many an eggnog convert with this amazing recipe. The story of how it came to be part of our holiday tradition is on the document.

Also, I'm throwing in my favorite gingersnap recipe. I no longer eat wheat flour, but this was a staple for years. Enjoy these recipes and get your eggnog ready!

Thank you

Just a quick and sincere note of thanks on Thanksgiving for following along on the Art Biz Blog for the last three years.

I am truly grateful for your participation. I learn from each and every one of you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Image (c) Tracy Wall, Pumpkin Pair.