Photo from our showing at Music Hall.

Here is a photo Litsa Spanos took of us. We were showing work at Music Hall for the board of the Cincinnati Opera.
Alison and I just happen to have Music Hall on our dream board hanging in my studio;)

We have been busy!

Wow, I was keeping up with this. Things have really been ramping up.
We had a really cool thing happen yesterday. Our friend Litsa at Art Design Consultants hooked us up with a really cool gig. Alison and I got to display our work for the Cincinnati Opera board at music hall! It was such a good experience to show our work and meet many of the board members. They were all so nice and really appreciative of us having our work there. They also had two opera singers there doing a couple of songs. It is amazing that the human voice can sound so awesome all by itself. What a gift it was to hear them.
Anyways it was really a wonderful experience and we just wanted to thank Litsa and the Opera board for getting it together.
Also, dont forget to go and check out ADC on final Fridays at the Pendleton building. They are in the annex across the alley.

Saturdays unexpected surprise!

We had an unexpected surprise Saturday when Amy Storer-Scalia called us wondering if we knew about getting art for a charity event that was happening in 4 hours. Amy is the editor and publisher of Cincy Chic, an on line lifestyle publication for women in the Greater Cincinnati area. http://cincychic.com/An agency was suppose to have art for the event, but because of a mis-communication was unable to. She was told the person to contact was named Alison. Unfortunately, or fortunately for us, my Alison was not the same contact. Amy just knew that we were artist so she gave us a call.
I told her that Alison was not the same “Alison”, but that we would be able to donate a painting to charity for her.
She was thrilled and we were placed on the guest list for the event.
The night turned out to be a very good one and we were able to help out a wonderful charity, The American Heart Association.
Here are a couple of photos from the night at Twist lounge! You can see even more on Cincy Chic’s website. We love it when things go wrong;)
Amy said that the painting raised the most money of all the items that were auctioned off.
Thanks again Amy for the opportunity. We had a blast!

Want to be an artist?

Here are just a few tips I would keep in mind when trying to sell work and become an artist.
I wrote this in a forum for another website for artists. These are just a few of many! I also believe this can apply to any form of art.

1. Think outside the box
When it comes to showing work, there are many people that can draw or paint the same picture you can. You have to stand out. Try displaying your work in a different way than anyone else. Use different materials in your work. Really try and put on a show with what you have!

2. Look at what other artist are producing.
These days many people know how to paint and draw, but many are still reluctant to think. Put depth in your paintings, say something! Use your skills to tell a story or express an emotion. People will react to your work.

3. Be as professional as you possibly can.
Try and get to the point that you are making exactly the kind of work that is in your mind. Become a master at your practice. People notice skill and talent, and want to buy art from extremely talented people. 

4. Listen to that inner voice.
I knew exactly when it was time for me to leave my job. I even got an exact date and signs as to when I was suppose to leave. Take time to be realistic and confident in what you are doing. Then listen and make the move when you hear that voice.

5. Never ever stop creating! No matter who tells you your work sucks. No matter how many galleries turn you down, never stop creating.
One thing I noticed when I was looking at one of my favorite paintings, Salvador Dali – Christ of St John of the Cross, I then noticed the date on it, 1951. Dali was born in 1904, he was 47 when he did that painting! It takes time to become a master, but if you give up, you will never get there.

Hope this builds your creative spirit and helps you to get past the hurdles that all of us artist face! Have a fun weekend.

White Death is upon us!

Looks like here in Cincinnati we are going to be snowed in for a few days. About 4-5 inches last night and a forecast of a nice wintery mix is coming our way.
In the spirit of chiling out, here are some cool websites to check out. Plus, dont forget our links page for even more!
http://blog.art21.org/
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/archivepix.html
http://emptyeasel.com/
http://www.galleryhenoch.com/
http://www.paulmellender.com/
http://www.thisisreverb.com/

TAP is offering art classes!

The Art Pocket is now offering
Affordable Art Classes.

-small class sizes of 2-5 students
-one hour lessons for $15 and deals for multiple students and hours.
-flexible hours to meet your scheduling needs
-classes available year-round through the summer

The Art Pocket is Evan Hildebrandt and Alison Shepard, a husband and wife team with more than 30 years of art-making experience between them. From teaching to working with interior designers, Evan and Alison are skilled in painting, drawing and printmaking, and are confident to take on any artistic task placed before them. Alison has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and a Master of Fine Arts in printmaking. She currently teaches Drawing and Figure Drawing at the College of Mt. St. Joseph.
Evan and Alison have teaching experience with students of all ages, from pre-schoolers to retirees.

For more information and to view samples of our art, please visit us at
www.theartpocket.com
Give us a call at 513-921-7511 or email Evan at evhildy@hotmail.com
We Look forward to meeting and teaching you!

Hibernating

I need some sun! Its been good though, Ive been making lots of canvases in these dark days. Alison just finished 3 pieces and Im working on my second. I will post them soon.
Thats it for now though, dont forget to look at my previous post about the fund raiser this Saturday, December the 20th. Alison and I are planning on going to the comet afterwards for the Steve Schmidt Christmas show. We went last year and you will not want to miss it! http://www.cometbar.com/
Let us know if you would want to join.

Ok, one last thing. Check out this artist;) http://www.reubenmargolin.com/index.htm

http://blog.makezine.com/archive/2008/12/wave_sculptures_on_make_t.html

So Ive been slacking BIG TIME!

But, we have a lot going on.
First off, I have a few pieces in a show this friday at the Marx gallery in Covington.
520 Madison Ave Covington, KY 41011 Come check it out! It is the first friday gallery walk, and I believe they are giving free carriage rides around covington to the different galleries. What fun for free!
Then next Friday, December 12th Alison and I will be showing some work at the Redtree gallery. Its always a fun time and there is always great art. http://www.redtreegallery.net/ If you cant make the 12th, there will be a Charity event at the Redtree gallery on the 20th called, Party with a Purpose.
I will be donating a piece of artwork for this event, so you wont want to miss out on trying to get it. Plus you will be helping a good cause! All proceeds benefit the Boca Restaurant Group Foundation, which is dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty in Cincinnati.

So lots going on, plus Christmas. (wipes sweat from brow)
Here is a pick of some new work that will be in the Redtree show. Hope you are all doing well and enjoying this Holiday season!

TGI-Monday

Ok, we have a lot going on! Thats why Ive been slacking on this blog. I will be updating everyone with some fun stuff going on soon.
One date to put on your calender is Friday, December 12, 2008 from 6-9pm @ Redtree gallery. Its a juried show, so I havent been selected yet, but I have high hopes;) Ive sold a lot of work with this gallery, and Im going to be making up some really cool pieces for this show. Im also going to be making the work a little less expensive so you can get a great gift for Christmas. Check out their website for more details: http://redtreegallery.net/
Ill leave you today with another cool website Ive found. Its a blog with some really cool content!
Enjoy:
http://artisticanatomy.blogspot.com/

Pics from our opening at ADC!

Be warned!!!! Alison did my makeup, so if you have kids around they might get scared;)
Just want to thank Art Design Consultants for giving us such a nice opening!! We had a really great time. Thanks so much to Litsa and your crew! http://www.artdesignconsultants.com/