July 15, 2016 at 09:13PM
Everyone gets tempted to quit. What you do next might be a defining moment. ##art #artist #mikebrennanart #inspiration #work #quit #goal #sq #painting #drawing
July 15, 2016 at 05:39PM
Dreams are fragile. Tend to them daily. What are you doing to move them closer to reality? #dream #dreamer #work #art #purpose #journey #sq #goals
July 15, 2016 at 12:36AM
My heart and tears go out to the people of #Nice #France - Tragedies like this are becoming a weekly occurrence all around us. Though I've never been to France or know anyone there personally, we are all connected. Weep with those who weep. May we be agents of healing and hope to those who are so desperate for it in their darkest hour. #prayfornice #tragedy #healing #hope #art #sq #tears #sorrow #nicefrance
July 14, 2016 at 08:32PM
Yoga pose with balloons :) inspired by @havelovewillyoga #art #yoga #balloons #digitalart #drawing #yogainspiration #yogapose #fitness #sq #illustration #artist #digitalillustration
July 14, 2016 at 07:13PM
Color cat. Inspired by @pennyandwillow #art #digitalart #digitalpainting #cat #catsofinstagram #meow #color #meow #sq #drawing #illustration #pet #petportrait
July 13, 2016 at 09:12PM
Bringing Smiles Through the Art of Social Media
If you've been following me for any length of time, you know that I practice a daily art habit. I create at least one piece of art a day, and post it to social media. As of late I have also been incorporating public images I find through my social media streams, namely Instagram.
Some people have wondered why I would choose to pick a random stranger and use their post for inspiration to create a daily digital drawing. Aside from looking for ideas and inspiration, I have found that when I create a piece of art centered around someone else, it brings surprise and delight to that person (expect only once, where the person was a little apprehensive).
There has been so much noise on social media with everyone airing their opinions on current events and politics. So much hate and division. Rather than add fuel to the fire or checking out completely, I'd rather start another conversation - using social media to spread JOY and KINDNESS.
Below are two recent examples of recipients of my daily art from their posts to Instagram, along with their reactions. This is why I do it. To make people smile. To make them feel noticed and loved, even if for a moment in their day. You never know what someone else may be going through. And as an Artist, you have the power to use your art to benefit someone else's life. I mean, it's blessed you in the act of creating it right? Why not share that blessing?
Where can you share your talents or art to enrich the lives of others? Try it for 7 days straight and see what happens. I'd love to hear about it!
One of the many Yoga inspired digital drawings I've done as of late. @flyandreleaseyoga
This drawing was following a recent Walker Stalker event, where I was part of the Artist Alley. So many fans of The Walking Dead were excited to meet their favorite stars. I just had to capture this moment from @ProducerJamieNYC with #NormanReedus @BigBaldHead
Because everyone has #pokemongo fever / inspired by @undeaddu #art #gaming #pokemon #digitalart #drawing #sq #illustration #videogames #nintendo #cosplay
July 12, 2016 at 10:40PM
Yoga pose. Using app procreate / Inspired by @saltlifepirateprincess #yoga #art #digitalart #digitalpainting #yogainspiration #yogapose #sq #illustration #drawing #artist #fitness
July 12, 2016 at 09:46PM
@kenedy_kyla didn't get to see you at @walkrstalkrcon NJ except when you walked past my table briefly and we said hello. Nice young lady. Wish you all the best 👍🏻 #art #mikasamuels #kylakenedy #thewalkingdead #twd #digitalart #digitalpainting #walkerstalkercon #sq #drawing #illustration #artist #actress
July 11, 2016 at 09:07PM
Yoga pose. Inspired by @yogi_barely #art #digitalart #yoga #shoulderstand #yogainspiration #yogapose #yogi #yogitoes #sq #illustration #drawing #artist #artwork #dailyart
July 11, 2016 at 08:19PM
Spent the last hour creating this yoga pose digitally to haven the app hang and then crash. Managed a screen shot (cropped). Oh, digital. Yoga pose inspired by @moharacallas #yoga #art #digitalart #digitalpainting #appcrash #yogainspiration #yogitoes #yogaeverywhere #drawing #sq #illustration #artwork
July 10, 2016 at 09:44PM
Good times at the @walkrstalkrcon today. Lots of moments like this one from @producerjamienyc with @bigbaldhead - fun day meeting actors, making new friends and fans of my art. Ready for day 2 tomorrow! #art #normanreedus #walkerstalkercon #daryldixon #twd #thewalkingdead #nj #sketch #digitalart #sq #illustration #dailyart
July 09, 2016 at 10:34PM
I hesitate to post on current events these days. It's so noisy already. This is not an invitation to post your agendas and arguments. I will delete them. This is a humble attempt by an artist to visually depict my heart. I'm running out of words and prayers feel helpless so often. We are a hurting nation. These Divided States of America. I'm tired of the hate, the violence, the blame, the politics...my hope is elsewhere. I believe in a Healer God
July 08, 2016 at 02:07PM
Yoga pose. Inspired by @namastekyrie #art #yoga #yogainspiration #digitalart #drawing #fitness #sq #illustration #digitalpainting
July 07, 2016 at 10:29PM
Finished art. Limited Prints available at @walkrstalkrcon this weekend in NJ @therealsonequa #sashawilliams #art #twd #thewalkingdead #sonequamartingreen #digitalart #digitalpainting #walkerstalkercon #fanart #sq #illustration #artprints
July 07, 2016 at 06:25PM
Another work in progress I started last night. Ready for @walkrstalkrcon this weekend @therealsonequa #sashawilliams #art #twd #thewalkingdead #sonequamartingreen #digitalart #digitalpainting #walkerstalkercon #fanart #sq #illustration #artprints #wip #workinprogress
July 07, 2016 at 05:28PM
All done. I'm coming for you Abraham at @walkrstalkrcon NJ - lets do lunch @cudlitz 🤘🏻⚡️😎 #thewalkingdead #twd #art #michaelcudlitz #abraham #digitalart #digitalpainting #sq #illustration #fanart #artprint
July 06, 2016 at 11:30PM
Yoga pose. Inspired by @fenix_van #yoga #art #digitalart #yogaeverywhere #yogainspiration #fitness #illustration #sq #drawing #artist #artwork #figure #draw #digitalpainting
July 06, 2016 at 09:58PM
My corner booth set up at the Heroes and Villains Fan Fest, NJ.
3 Pieces of Advice About Art Shows
So you’re thinking about doing an art show? Awesome! I say go for it, but be sure to think things through and be ready to keep adapting. Here’s three pieces of advice i’d share with anyone even thinking about doing art show:
1. Do it now.
Don’t wait until you're “ready” because you never will be. Do your research. Plan as wisely as you can. Read articles and posts from others you can learn from. I highly suggest you check out The Ultimate Guide to Profitable Art Shows by Owen Garratt. I have purchased this course myself and there's a wealth of info) But at a certain point, you have to jump. You don't need a lot of product. As a matter of fact, from my experience the simpler you keep things the clearer it is for your potential customers. And you’ll spend less time trying to reign things back in after the fact. Expect that you will learn most by doing. Experience is your best teacher.
2. Do it often.
It's pretty much a given that you will need to experiment to see what works best for you - what shows, what time of the year, what sells… And there are a lot of variables. Bad weather? You might get low attendance. Did the show promoter do something to anger people in their planning (or lack thereof)? People might not be in a buying mood. Is the show around a holiday? You might clean up with people looking for gifts. My point is - do as many shows as you can in as close of a time span as you can manage, so that you’re learning is accelerated. Fail often and fail forward, as they say.
3. Be prepared to sacrifice.
You need to be committed not only to your craft, but also the business of your craft, and treat it like such. Expect to sacrifice time, money, and energy. It’s not a get rich quick game. You will need money upfront to invest in your art and product (as well as display racks, signage, etc). Investigate your costs so your pricing is right. Hopefully in all of this sacrifice, it pays off by you selling your art and products, making connections and being presented with more opportunities. It all comes down to relationship - connecting with people who have an interest in your art.
Even after my 6th event and 2 years into this, i’m getting ready to try a new systems and change up my marketing again. I keep a note pad with me at every show and con I vendor at so I can make notes of what I need to change or do more of.
It’s not or the faint of heart, but selling your art at shows can be rewarding. You get to talk with people who appreciate your art. You get to meet other artists and vendors and learn from them. Although most people enjoy shopping online these days, there is no substitute to in person opportunities. It's not "either/or" but "and/both".
What upcoming art show can you sign up for today? Take a step forward!