School of Creative Business - Creative Entrepreneurship

The Visionary: Marissa Mayer, Glamour 2009 Woman of the Year

 

  She is a Woman of the Year because:

“She has been a powerhouse of creativity and business acumen for one of the world’s most innovative companies. Marissa Mayer is leading the way in keeping America number one.” —Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and 2002 Woman of the YearMarissa Marissa leads the product management efforts on Google's search products – web search, images, groups, news, Froogle, the Google Toolbar, Google Desktop, Google Labs, and more. She joined Google in 1999 as Google's first female engineer and led the user interface and webserver teams at that time. Her efforts have included designing and developing Google's search interface, internationalizing the site to more than 100 languages, defining Google News, Gmail, and Orkut, and launching more than 100 features and products on Google.com.

It is good to know that a woman can be beautiful and smart! I was amazed to read about Marissa accomplishments with such a big and power company. Marissa states in the Glamourarticle "Get in a bit over your head. That’s how you grow and learn and stretch yourself.”

 I totally agree with her. More of us need to stretch beyond our reach- it is the only way to grow taller and stronger. Many of us may not be engineers but we are artist who have the engineering power to be great and maybe the next Artist of the Year of something. Grow, Grow and Grow Strong my Sisters and Brothers.

Read More about Glamour's 2009 Woman of the Year- Marissa Mayer - here

5 Online Art Challenges to Get the Creative Juices Flowing

Sometimes even the best artists get lose thier "Mo Joe". If you are coming up short with creative ideas,  then I suggest you participate in an online art challenge. Art Challenges are fun, inspiring and these challenges can help you become part of a community of artist sharing their work online. I have recommended 5 online art challenges that would help you get your creative juices flowing.

5 Online Art Challenges

Show and Tell Sundays-Every other week a new theme will be posted and all artist, of all mediums are invited to show us what they have! Then on Sundays, The Show and Tell Sundays crew (Cerri and Cindy) will  host a  blog party and post links to your blogs so everyone can enjoy your collections!

Mixed Media Monday- Create a mixed media piece, according to the current theme and upload it to your blog ,flickr account or online portfolio. Then add a link to the Mixed Media Monday site. Then post a comment on Mixed Media Monday with a direct link to your artwork. Next Challenge is "I am Woman" for November 16th.

Inspire Me Thursday- For all mixed media artist and creative types! It is an invitation to indulge in a weekly dose of inspiration.

Illustration Friday- Illustration Friday is a weekly illustration challenge. A topic is posted every Friday and then participants have all week to come up with their own interpretation. Topics are picked each week from a list of suggestion that have been emailed by participants. I have participated in this challenge a few times myself.

Wednesday Stamper- This challenge is for the rubber stamper. You are to post your project using at least one rubberstamp on your blog/journal/ picturetrail... and mention Wednesday Stamper with a link. Then leave a comment with the static link to your direct post.

 

EYe Spy a Structured Trend: Elsa Mora & Michael Kros

 
This week I've Eye Spied an Art and Fashion Trend that would be considered well planned, organized, and controlled; with a definite shape, form, or pattern.

 Michael Kros's Fall 2009 collection displays details that are comforting and strong. Elsa Mora creates paper cutouts that are strudy in appearance with exaggerated details. Michael Kros and Elsa Mora are artists that command attention.

4 Resources for Free Vintage Photos

  _{Sample of Free Vintage Image}

To find a resource of free vintage photos is a wonderful thing. In the past I have collected vintage photos by purchasing them from flea markets or from ebay. But to know that other artists like myself love vintage photos is just beautiful.  I found 5 really good resources for free vintage photos. The internet makes things so easy. Lucky Me and now Lucky You!

Please note these images are only for your artwork. They can not be copied and place on a CD to be sold for commercial usage.

Free Vintage Photos

All Free Vintage Stuff- A flickr account with what looks like more than 100 vintage photos.

Just Something I Made - Good images, and you actually get to see a few projects created using vintage images.

The Vintage Moth - cute titles for each image. These titles might help spark a little creativity.

Vintage Resources- has more than enough images to get anyone started with using vintage images in their artwork. Make time to spend a few hours going through and saving each image. Lots and Lots of Eye Candy.

10 Books to Jump Start Your Art Business

I have provide a list of 10 art business books that have been very helpful in jump starting my artist career. I've learned how to create a press packet, how to price my artwork, how to approach galleries, how to organize my studio, how to write commission contacts and much, much more. As you can see I have learned alot from these Art business books. I hope they are helpful in your artist career as well. 

Modish - Blog Review

 
Hey Guys, I just love this site. Modish- This site is so Mode! She has a business tip category for creative souls like me and you - and the tips are just the greatest!The site is full of information and love links.  Modish is in my favorites and I have subscribed to the Modish Biz tips.

_{From her about me page:}

Modish (pronounced: mode-ish) is a daily design and style blog run by editor, Jena Coray. Launched in April 2006, Jena's focus has been to help bring awareness to talented emerging artists and designers. By sharing her favorite handmade & vintage goods, art & photography, fashion & design, she supports the most innovative, independent and sustainable products in the marketplace, all the while, sharing some inspiration and eye-candy along the way.

50 Artist You Should Know - Book Review

  A Visual Eye Candy Art Reference Guide.

This book profiles 50 major artists alongside with their representative works and brief biographies.  There is  information in this book that helps you locate the artist’s work online and in museums.  Arranged chronologically, the selection of artists includes every major artistic movement and development since the Gothic period, giving you a clear understanding of the evolution of the visual arts.

I studied art in college, but this book just refreshes what you loved about majoring in art. 50 Artists You Should Know (50 You Should Know)is perfect for casual reading, but also a great tool at comparing your works against the masters of our time.

Free 6- Month Photoshop Course

So what does a 6-Month Photoshop Course cover? The designers at Creative Techs Tips has built this as an ongoing series of 5-week courses, building from basic fundamentals, up to some fairly advanced techniques. With a fun side-trip around the holidays for digital scrapbooking topics.

I've signed up - I am always looking for an easier way to learn design programs. What a great way to learn!

Sign Up Now!

 

Art21: Art in the Twenty-First Century - DVD Review

I have really enjoyed watching these videos. They have severed as amesome inspriations and insight of what it takes to be an artist.

"Art:21–Art in the Twenty-First Century” is the only series on television to focus exclusively on contemporary visual art and artists in the United States, and it uses the medium of television to provide an experience of the visual arts that goes far beyond a gallery visit. Fascinating and intimate footage allows the viewer to observe the artists at work, watch their process as they transform inspiration into art, and hear their thoughts as they grapple with the physical and visual challenges of achieving their artistic visions."

Rethinking Acrylic - Book Review

I purchased Rethinking Acrylic a few months back, and really didn't have time to flip through it until this weekend. And boy what a joy it wasto see such beautiful artwork. Patti Brady is the author of this art book and she actually demostates the techniques. This book is great for those looking for new ways to use acrylic paint. There are so many ways you can use acrylics. I can not wait to try a few of techniques. It will be another way for to push me to the next artistic level.

 Go out as soon as you can purchase this book- or just order it online. Rethinking Acrylic is a resource for your library.