Category: marketing

Artsy Shark celebrates the work of dozens of talented artists in various mediums in our newest showcase. Click on each name to visit their website.

Susanna Goldman

My journey in art is a long road of exploration, trying out new materials, teaching myself new techniques and honing my drawing skills. My creations are an extension of me and has always been my therapy.

“Dali’s Secret” photo composition, 24″ x 36″ by Chris Fox Gibson

Chris Fox Gilson

My “Old Masters 2.0” series places our technology in the hands of great artists from the Renaissance forward.  Here I catch Dali prompting DALL-E Generative AI to create his most famous masterpiece.

“Ripe Tomatoes” acrylic on canvas, 10″ x 10″ by Janet Friden

Janet Friden

I am a self-taught artist. I want to share my perception of the world through my art.

“Watermelon Woman” handbuilt ceramic vase by Sandra Zebi

Sandra Zebi

Watermelon Woman is a handbuilt vase painted with one of my characters inspired by Picasso.

“Untitled” (triptych) acrylic on canvas. 36″ x 48″ each by Chelsea Django

Chelsea Django

I paint abstract expressionist pieces from my heart. They are a way to capture the feeling of a moment forever. It may reflect differently to the viewer, but that’s with human interactions as well.

“Chains of the Mind” mixed media, 16″ x 40″ by Svetlana Askenazy

Svetlana Askenazy

Experimenting with different techniques and materials has inspired me to create unique artwork that speaks to viewers on a personal level. I use texture in my paintings and incorporate images with meaningful stories.

“Sky’s Journey” (book cover) digital illustration by Tara White

Tara White

Embark on an adventure with Sky, a spirited puppy, as he follows a twinkling star to find his forever home. Written, illustrated, and published by Tara White. Available in printed hardcover and digital ebook.

“Outer Space” acrylic on canvas, 72″ x 48″ by Jonnay Lawrence

Jonnay Lawrence

My artwork is such a unique style of abstract art that will stand out like no other. This piece gives depth and movement of earth and their surrounding neighbors.

“Dazzling Dancer” mixed media, finished in oil. 15″ x 18″ by Deborah Nell

Deborah Nell

Painting gives me joy. I love painting images that bring beauty, hope and life to the soul. I enjoy using acrylic, spray paint, collage and oil. And I love making the invisible visible.

“Best Friends” oil, 24″ x 30″ by artist John Wendling

John Wendling

I enjoy designing figures in oils that are supported by intriguing backgrounds that tell an open-ended story. Experimenting with values, temperature and edges gives me a way to see the subject in a different light.

“Heroes” oil, 16″ s 22″ by Donna Spears Lauzon

Donna Spears Lauzon

My work  has been an emotional journey for me. Painting with a purpose is one of my main goals. This painting was donated to our local hospital in 2021 after Covid to honour the many medical staff who gave countless hours and care to so many of us.

“New York City” felt tipped markers on Bristol paper, 14″ x 17″ by Gail Sarasohn

Gail Sarasohn

This abstract artwork features an assortment of shapes and lines in an intricate pattern. The predominant color is black with accents of multiple colors. The shapes and lines form a complex and dynamic composition that conveys a sense of movement and vibrancy.

“Mary” painting on silk, 56″ x 36″ by Robin Maynard-Dobbs

Robin Maynard-Dobbs

Mary embraces us as the petals of our life unfold and fall. May this painting of the sacred feminine remind you that no matter what you are going through, divine compassion is always present.

“Barn Raiser” acrylic on canvas, 11″ x 17″ by C. Foster

C. Foster

I love to create semi-representational landscape and floral paintings in oil, acrylic and watercolour that use expressive colour and light … sprinkled with a touch of whimsy.

“Element Runners” TruLife acrylic, aluminum frame back with Z-bar, 50″ x 20″ by Georg Weber

Georg F Weber

My art ranges from abstract to concrete expressions. Being computer-based, it is generated by a “bit-brush” not a paintbrush. A rewarding step in the process is the decision on a medium for printing.

“Segues” (diptych) beaded embroidery and acrylic paint on panel-mounted canvas, 10″ x 10″ each, by Ananda Suddath

Ananda X. Suddath

Featuring traditional Indigenous techniques, contemporary aesthetics and a Western painting-style format, my beaded works provide opportunities for stillness, contemplation and awe. Created to foster introspection, they are small shrines to viewers’ own guiding lights.

“Crows” oil on linen, 11″ x 14″ by Patricia Dickun

Patricia Dickun

Crow medicine signifies a firsthand knowledge of a higher order of right and wrong than that of the laws of human culture.

“Into The Unknown” digital art on aluminum panel, 24″ x 36″by Shinee B.

Shinee B.

I find inspiration in everything around us. Beautiful architecture, landscapes, and artistic sculptures. Art is a part of everything. Stop and breathe and appreciate it. Inspiration for creation is found in those moments of pause.

“Passages” watercolor on paper, 22″ X 15″ by Krys Pettit

Krys Pettit

I paint the unnoticed – morning light on a balcony, a darkened window in an abandoned building, a door waiting to be opened. I capture moments in time, the quiet spaces that quickly slip by.

“Deep Purple Path on Evening Hike, reverse painting, acrylic on plexiglass, 24″ x 36” by Victoria Braverman

Victoria Braverman

My painting has a strong emotional-color impact coming through the luminescence of Plexiglass.  Reverse painting is an ancient form that I now make contemporary by using acrylic paints on clear Plexiglass. Colors call to me.

“A Red Thread Runs through Us” mixed media paper & acrylic paint, 24″ x 36″ by Phyllis Anne Taylor

Phyllis Anne Taylor

Women have been enslaved, on the brink of annihilation, and endured internment because of their diversity. Yet the one who had it “better” was still considered property with little, if any, rights as a woman.

“An Emirati Woman” oil on canvas, 80 x 50 cm by Bahdria al Shamsi

Badria Al Shamsi

My aim is giving the woman a beautiful and graceful aura with eyes looking confidently straight to the person looking. I also use strong colors to invest a feeling of strength and control.

“Wisconsin Winter” acrylic, 24″ x 48″ by Elissa Ewald

Elissa Ewald

Creating works that are inspired by daily life as a gardener, mother, wife, artist, I’ve built collections of floral, critters, pathways and forgotten. As a published author, award winning artist and member of many groups, I love to give back to my community and environment.

“Daughter and Granddaughter” digital airbrush, 16″ x 24″ by Stephen Harriger

Stephen Harriger

I have tried many different mediums. Graphite, watercolor, colored pencils, chalk, oils and acrylics. Most recently, I’ve been working with digital airbrush.

“By Any Other Name” watercolor on yupo, 26″ x 40″ by Juanita Hagberg

Juanita Hagberg

Personal experiences and emotional connections to nature inform my response to it; intricacies and complexity are suggested, not stated. Absent representation, more complex interpretations can be considered.

“The Old Oak” oil, 9″ x 12″ by John Abisch

John Abisch

In an increasingly rapid, tense and troubled world “lost in cyber space” and largely disconnected from the natural world, it is my desire that my artwork communicate the solace of beauty and harmony.

“Unexpected” enamel coated wire sculpture, 12″ x 12″ by Lisa Van Herik

Lisa Van Herik

The need to make art is like a constant vibration, pulsing through my every waking moment. It’s all about the constant “seeing” and visually interpreting those sights, to see if I can make your life a little bit more beautiful or interesting through my artwork.

“Happy Dance” acrylic on canvas, 24″ x 20″ by Jackie Tury

Jackie Tury

I create vibrant paintings that express joy, explore color and play with pattern. I hope my paintings make you as happy as they make me!

“Wisdom of the Red Rocks” wood batik and mica on birch, 20″ x 24″ by Amber Word

Amber Word

I aim to embrace the play between bold and subtle lines, vibrant colors, and delicate fades. I specialize in a unique technique known as “wood batik”. Each piece is a collaboration with the grain of the wood itself.

“Trapped in Monochrome” soft pastels, 12″ x 9″ by Kimberly Leclaire

Kimberly Leclaire

Art should make you feel something, whether it’s hope, despair, or the promise of a new beginning. It can show us where we have been, what we have overcome, or where we hope to go.

“Eli” oil and gold metal leaf on canvas, 18″ x 24″ by Roger Nielsen

Roger Nielsen

The goal was to show emotion in the eyes of my daughter, Eli. One viewer said, “The painting shows more than a thousand words; it reveals her past, her future and her father’s concern.”

“Orange Lily with a Butterfly “ oil on canvas, 20” x 20” by Galina Lintz

Galina Lintz

Delve into the enchanting tale behind “Orange Lilies and Butterfly,” an oil masterpiece. Inspired by the rich history of lilies, this painting captures the mythical essence of the flower’s origin, intertwined with Ancient Greek and Germanic legends.

Want to stay current on cutting edge business articles from Artsy Shark, plus artist features, and an invitation to the next Call for Artists? Click below to sign up for our twice-monthly email. You’ll get all this plus opportunities and special offers that you can’t get anywhere else!

Your list is something unique to you and your career. No one has this same list. No one makes art like you do; no one knows the same people as you do; and no one has the exact vision that you have. Nobody!

Your list is almost worthless to anyone else, yet it’s invaluable to you. But only if you use it.

[ How to Warm Up a Cold List ]

It is the primary tool you use to share your art with the world. Again, it’s your #1 marketing asset. (You may get tired of hearing me say that.)

We call it a list as if it’s a single unit, but it’s key to remember that every name on your list represents a human being. You’re not mailing 1 unit. You are mailing tens, hundreds, or thousands of people over time. You can’t pretend that they are a cohesive entity.

And whether it’s 5 or 5,000 people, it’s not the numbers that are important. It’s the people. Remember to care about people, not the list itself or its size.

It may seem silly to spend time talking about what a mailing list is, but hear me out. A mailing list doesn’t have as clear a definition as it seems.

I have a philosophy around this 2-word phrase that we frequently take for granted. It’s this …

Throughout its nearly five historic decades in contemporary and fine art, Artexpo New York has hosted the likes of Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Keith Haring and Leroy Neiman; intensifying the discourse on today’s industry challenges and magnifying the very best the fine art world has to offer. This year, more than 15,000 avid art enthusiasts and industry leaders will return to enjoy the world’s original fine art fair.

THE LEGENDS

Acknowledging the amazing art history of Artexpo New York, Redwood Art Group

wishes to commemorate six special exhibitors who have made Artexpo New York a not-to-be-missed event. Each Legend was selected by Artexpo’s curatorial team based on three factors:

• For 10 years or more, the Legend has consistently exhibited at Artexpo New York
• Demonstrated unswerving representation of artist innovators, consistently bringing forward-thinking cutting-edge art to the fair
• Articulate and distinctive presentation of each artist’s work, exceeding all display guidelines

Come to Artexpo New York April 4-7, 2024, at Manhattan’s newest destination for art, Pier 36. Check out the 2024 Artexpo New York Legends. Don’t miss their exceptional exhibits and artists!

Artavita / World Wide Art – Booth 107

World Wide Art began in 2006 with a simple approach of printing an art book presenting the work of noteworthy artists from all over the world. Noteworthy meaning original, with an element of inspiration, vision, originality; plus mastery in the artist’s given medium. Artavita is the online forum for these same artists to be seen and collected. With art that is continually new and fresh from both emerging and established artists, the Artavita World Wide Art curated exhibitions are a must-see at international art fairs.

https://www.artavita.com/

Artifact – Booth 401

For over 20 years, Artifact has been exhibiting and promoting the work of mid-career and established artists, including paintings, sculptures, photographs and new media. Through art based marketing strategies that engage artists and their work, they provide the guidance and planning to launch, grow and develop artists’ careers. Artifact is located in the Lower East Side, the most exciting art destination of Manhattan close to the Tenement Museum, New Museum, International Center of Photography and over 200 contemporary art galleries.

https://www.artifactnyc.net/

INNOART – Booth 434

Innoart and Beijing Global Art International bring innovative ideas and boundary pushing concepts and artists together, creating some of today’s most interactive opportunities for experiencing an artist’s vision and creativity. Innoart showcases  art that comes from a versatile and multi-cultural heritage inspiring Artexpo New York collectors.

Mecenavie Gallery – Booth 305

CALAO by CLAUDINE B 95 X 75 cm.

Since 2004, Paris’ Mecenavie Gallery has been serving talented contemporary artists, providing them with high quality services, including exhibitions in French and international art fairs, auction sales and corporate rentals. By striving to give artists opportunity at multiple levels, Mecenavie also gives art lovers and collectors the ability to enjoy, learn about, and collect art at fairs, online, and directly from the artist.

https://www.mecenavie.com/en/

Sammoun Fine Arts – Booth 215

Samir Sammoun – Ballet VII – Oil on linen – 48 x 60 – $41,000

Samir Sammoun celebrates his 29th year exhibiting at Artexpo — it’s where he launched his signature impressionistic style in 1996 and where his collectors and galleries still come to buy his latest masterpieces. A great colorist by nature, Sammoun possesses a rich palette that features more than 30 shades and tones, providing the necessary foundation for his soft point and long-handled brushwork. A landscape artist, Samir Sammoun has a vast repertoire of pictorial themes: willows, apple trees in bloom, wheat fields, olive trees, villages, storms, cityscapes and seascapes. His paintings reflect a tranquil happy mood.

https://sammoun.com/

Belgian artist Peter Livens presents an exquisite collection of works in pastel created in a classic style. Learn more by visiting his website.

Since early childhood, I have been interested in drawing and painting. I attended the Art Academy (High School for the Arts) in Lier, Belgium. When I was 18, I started my higher education in Visual Arts in Antwerp and graduated five years later.

“Boch Cups Gathering” pastel, 20 x 30 cm

As a visual artist, nature has always inspired me. However, I also look beyond the purely realistic representation. Light and atmosphere are key elements in my oeuvre.

“Colours of Christmas Past” pastel, 33 x 28 cm

It still fascinates me to see how light can be so different depending on the time of day, the geographic location and the season. Being in a certain place at a certain time can create a unique tangible atmosphere.

“The Schoon Plaats” pastel, 40 x 50 cm

I try to evoke in my work the feelings that I experience. This explains why dilapidated and abandoned buildings have become one of my favorite subjects. There is often a special, mysterious atmosphere in these buildings. Everything there is worn out, with a story to tell.

“The Abandoned Chateau” pastel, 84 x 54 cm

After a long and interesting journey through the world of charcoal drawing, I turned to pastel art. The pastel medium fits perfectly with what I want to realize—to create light and atmosphere. I try to achieve this through balanced tones and colors, respecting their subtle nuances.

“The Sticky Jar” pastel, 32 x 20 cm

For my still life paintings, I gather objects on the canvas that together tell a story in complete silence. It is up to the viewers to fill in this story based on their own personal experiences.

“Grand Calanque (France)” pastel, 72 x 52 cm

It is also a quest for a balanced composition and beauty of things through textures, reflections and the play of light on objects. Spatiality also plays an important role in this. Within this space, I want the play of light to show its full power, in order to create a quiet beauty.

“Le Touquet (Paris Plage)” pastel, 74 x 54 cm

I have been a member of the Royal Art Circle Het Steen for many years. We meet weekly to draw and paint in the studio. Gradually I have taken on the role of teacher. I enjoy sharing with others my passion and experience for drawing and pastel.

Peter Livens invites you to follow on Facebook.

Want to stay current on cutting edge business articles from Artsy Shark, plus artist features, and an invitation to the next Call for Artists? Click below to sign up for our twice-monthly email. You’ll get all this plus opportunities and special offers that you can’t get anywhere else!

Artist Misty  Dempsey shares a luscious portfolio of flowing, organic nature-inspired paintings. Enjoy her work and see more by visiting her website.

Prana, qi, mana, ki, plasma, and the field are just a few of the names for the cosmic energy said to flow through all things. My artwork is an exploration into what I think I know about the principles that govern this vital life force energy found throughout nature and the cosmos. That everything is connected, that everything comes out of something else, and that everything is always moving and changing.

“Phoenix” mixed media on watercolor paper, 18” x 12”

I intuitively create nature-inspired works on paper. Using watercolor and gouache pigments, acrylic ink and paint, acrylic markers, pencil, and chalk pastels, I create an elegant tangle of organic forms, shapes, and patterns.

“Bird Beak Orchid” mixed media on watercolor paper, 24” x 18”

Visually, my work is bold, colorful, and has lots of movement and patterns. I tend to draw otherworldly imaginary organisms, watery symbiotic neighborhoods of life forms, or made-up flowers. Sometimes, my work is a snapshot of spinning spiraling components in the liminal space between an idea and their eventual form. It’s about the infinite possibilities of the invisible “raw materials” of nature poised to become whatever they need to become.

“Firefly Glow” mixed media on watercolor paper, 30” x 22”

I’m also interested in how this natural energetic phenomena relates to spirituality. How it can be manipulated or harnessed to be more beneficial to living organisms.

“Tidepool” mixed media on watercolor paper mounted on wooden cradle panel, 18” x 12”

I use shapes and curves to create art that is harmonious and comforting and feels like a dance. Birth and growth, expansion and contraction, and the divine feminine and divine masculine are themes evident in my work.

“Blue Dot Flowers” mixed media on watercolor paper, 30” x 22”

I’m a self-taught artist and have been creating art in a variety of media for over 25 years. These include digital art, paint on canvas, jewelry design, and textile art. It wasn’t until I began drawing on paper with wet pigments and mixed media that I felt I had found my unique style.

“Puffball” mixed media on watercolor paper, 18” x 12”

The way the pigments pool and bloom and then dry in a haphazard manner mesmerize me. I love that I can inform the paint, but not control it! I use these textures and effects to create patterns similar to those found in nature. The repetition of these patterns is very therapeutic and serves as a meditation of sorts while I am drawing.

“Galaxy Bloom” mixed media on watercolor paper, 18” x 12”

I credit the breakthrough in my artwork with a qigong moving meditation class that I took just before the pandemic. The day after the class, I felt calmer and more focused, and felt that my creativity flowed more easily. My qigong practice is a continual and necessary part of my work! When the lockdowns happened soon after, I took advantage of that uninterrupted time to delve into my work, and have been prolifically producing and marketing my work ever since.

“Soft Sea” mixed media on watercolor paper mounted on wooden cradle panel, 18” x 12”

I mostly participate in art shows and festivals around my home in East Tennessee but am seeking to increase my gallery presence in the future.

Misty Dempsey invites you to follow on Instagram.

Want to stay current on cutting edge business articles from Artsy Shark, plus artist features, and an invitation to the next Call for Artists? Click below to sign up for our twice-monthly email. You’ll get all this plus opportunities and special offers that you can’t get anywhere else!

Enjoy the charming and whimsical portfolio of artist Roopa Dudley, whose love of chess defines her distinctive style. View more of her work on her website.

I was born in Karachi, Pakistan on July 6, 1972. In 1988, my family and I migrated to America when I was sixteen years old, and we settled in Miami, Florida.

“Chess-Nut Paradise” acrylic, 14″x 11″

I took my sweet time to graduate with a BA in Humanities from Florida International University in 1999. The following year I relocated to Maryland.

“Frigid Forest Fox” mixed media, 14″x 11″

I became a full-time artist in 2012, and have been making chess-themed art ever since. Chess has always been one of my favorite pastimes. I came to realize early that I do not have the obsession it takes to become a Grand Master, or even a Master.

“Political Circus” acrylic on Canvas, 14″ x 11″

However, I have always enjoyed making art, jewelry, and paintings. I knew that I had a fighting chance in becoming “remarkable” as Seth Godin said in his book Purple Cow. Remarkable Roopa. See, it even has a ring to it, no?

“Hot Robecca Housekeeper” mixed media, 14″x 11″

In short, I wanted to create not just a lovely piece of art, but something that could be aesthetically pleasing to look at, has a story to tell, a pinch of dark humor somewhere, and has something else that would make it stand out amongst the thousands of other paintings. Voila!

“Hot Rob Patriot” mixed media, 14″x 11″

That is how I started creating art that incorporates an element of chess. It is painted in a peculiar style which makes it cartoonish but realistic, abstract but representational, whimsical but serious all at once. It has been over fourteen years since I painted my first chess-themed painting.  I’m still producing more without running out of ideas or passion.

“Chess-Nut Swamp” acrylic, 14″x 11″

As of 2023, I decided to become an art teacher to see how it goes. It has been quite an interesting journey and has added a new dimension to my life. I never expected to be this busy at my age, but I am not complaining.

“Three Knights in Paradise” acrylic, 14″x 11″

I also enjoy cooking, hanging out with my friends, making beaded jewelry, creating pottery, and writing art-related articles (one even got published in ArtAscent Art & Literature Magazine).

“Fragrant Forest” mixed media, 14″x 11″

Most of my paintings have been published in a plethora of art and literature journals, newspapers, and art magazines, nationally and internationally. Some of them even made it on the cover.

“Immigrants” acrylic, 40″x 30″

Lastly, I must say that migrating to America has been the most awesome and life-changing experience for me and my family. I am in a place where I feel content and blessed after years of struggle and demanding work, finally living my American dream. My heart is full of gratitude and joy, which should be quite evident in my paintings.

In this episode of The Art Biz, we’re going to talk about coming to art later in life.

My guest is Janice Mason Steeves, author of Bloom: On Becoming An Artist Later in Life. Which, as I say in our interview, is “a lovely mix of insights from a questionnaire, gentle guidance from someone who teaches and leads artist workshops all over the world, and wisdom from academics, professionals, and spiritual advisors.”

Janice will share her background and the realization that the students in her workshops tended to be in the 60 to 80 age group. This piqued her curiosity about taking up art later in life.

We spend the first half of our conversation talking about how the book came to be. Then we discuss the advantages, benefits and challenges of becoming an artist after age 60.

I, of course, want to know about how artists over 60 approach the business of art, but that’s not Janice’s concern.

I have some experience that perhaps will lead to a future episode. Hearing from you in the comments will help.

Janice has been in my orbit for a long time and I have been dying to talk with her about this book, the seeds of which she mentioned to me about 4 years ago. It’s a book that needed to be written and proves that we have a lot more to talk about this topic.

But let’s kick off the conversation.

The year was 1931 when gallerist Julien Levy opened his gallery of Surrealist paintings, drawings, sculpture, and fine art photography. Levy’s landmark exhibition of surrealism would come in 1932. Artists Eugène Berman, Jean Cocteau, Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst, Arshile Gorky, Man Ray, and Salvador Dali were among those exhibited. It was an exhibition in November of 1932, alongside Etchings by Pablo Picasso and Objects by Joseph Cornell, that an unrecorded exhibition by a 20-year-old New York artist, Sidney Lazarus, titled Drawings by Sidney Lazarus took place.

Scroll forward to today, and it is Sidney Lazarus’ works that are being highlighted in the current exhibition at Shepherd W & K Galleries in New York. As Shephard gallerists Robert Kashey and David Wojciechowski put together the exhibit celebrating Marie Difilippantonio and Beth Warren Gate’s four-volume publication of Julien Levy: The Man, His Gallery, His Legacy, it was the mystery of artist Sidney Lazarus, his artwork, and the little known 1932 exhibition that captured their attention. It was only in 2015 that evidence of Lazarus’ 1932 exhibition alongside Picasso and Cornell was uncovered and is now the subject of a chapter in the Julien Levy book.

Bronx-born artist Sidney Lazarus (1912-1973) was an insider at the very heart of the 1930’s avant-garde. With a boundless imagination, Sidney Lazarus’ obscurity in the art world is only understandable by examining his viewpoint and motivations. The inspiration for his art came from his high regard for the “impromptu impulse.” All impulses were viewed by him as creative directives, no matter how playful or serious, mischievous, or dark. Such irreverent spontaneity gave shape to both his daily life and his art. One day he would do a meticulous drawing of a doorknob, the next it was some hauntingly surreal image of demons.

Dream, Sidney Lazarus 1929

In 1932, at the age of 20, he became the youngest contributor to Alexander King’s Americana magazine, a short-lived satiric publication that had as contributors: George Grosz, John Sloan, S.J. Perlman, William Steig, Peggy Bacon, ee Cummings, Al Hirschfeld and Miguel Covarrubias. He did numerous drawings for the magazine and became a lifelong friend of King and Hirschfeld. That same year, Charlot arranged for a one-man exhibition of Lazarus’ drawings at the Julien Levy Gallery.

In 1935, Lazarus was appointed by the College Art Association as an art supervisor for three grade schools in Far Rockaway, as part of the WPA’s mandate to employ artists. In 1942, The Metropolitan Museum employed him to do decorative maps, chalk talks, and demonstrations in its Junior Museum. When the Depression ended, Lazarus was approached to enter a joint business venture drawing comics. For the next ten years, he drew comic book art for DC, Dell, Parents Institute, and Quality Comics, which made it possible for him to earn a living working part time and still be able to find time to paint and draw. During this period, he also illustrated books for Charles Scribner & Sons, Harper & Brothers, Julien Messner, and Whitman Brothers, as well as drawing for the PM newspaper.

In the 1940s, America’s art world was dominated by Social Realism and Regionalism. Lazarus didn’t commit himself to either of those movements, but they appealed to him. Of all the modern art movements, he identified most with Surrealism and Dadaism. As Abstract Expressionism came to define New York’s art world, Lazarus pulled back from the gallery scene as he was much more interested in the role of Surrealism and DaDa in art.

The Dying Man, Sidney Lazarus 1953

In the late 1950s, Lazarus was in New York earning a living doing line drawings of TV stars for ABC, CBS, and NBC. His drawings were supplied for publication to newspaper editors across the country by these major networks to promote their new television shows. As a counterpoint to commercial assignments that kept his family financially afloat, Lazarus felt the need to connect to the world in the role of an artist/philosopher. The impetus that led him to urge friends to explore their creativity, now broadened into a full-fledged philosophy based on insights from his study of Buddhism. He felt that he was onto something unique in proposing that people formed reality through the power of their own beliefs.

Creature, Sidney Lazarus 1957

His son, Douglas Lazarus recalls, “Interestingly, he rarely did preliminary sketches or designs for a painting or drawing. He just let them unfold, and very often started a picture in one corner. The image flowed outward until it had filled the entire page with perfect form and balance. He apparently had a strong sense of what he wanted each complete picture to look like, envisioning the whole and holding all its elements in his mind. He referred to his art as ‘hand fruit’ since he felt that he could simply reach up and pluck pictures out of the air.”

Lazarus was considered singularly eccentric by contemporaries for his idiosyncratic views, but generally acknowledged for his powerful imagination, highly skilled talents, and the mystical undertones within his work. He admired and identified with outsider artists like William Blake and Henri Rousseau, obscure in their lives, opposing the ruling artistic attitude of their periods.

Elephant Tapestry, Sidney Lazarus 1965

Douglas Lazarus shared: “His ultimate dream was to live in a world where his artistic talent did not set him apart but gave him commonality with a human race all working to its full creative potential. ‘How would you define a person that is not creative?’ I once asked him. ‘They have abdicated,’ he replied.”

________________________________

For more information about the Shepherd W & K Galleries, go to https://shepherdgallery.com/

The Julien Levy, The Man, His Gallery, His Legacy exhibit, featuring works by Sidney Lazarus with other artists championed by Julien Levy, may be viewed at the Shepherd W & K Galleries through March 29, 2024.

To see the full catalog for the Julien Levy, The Man, His Gallery, His Legacy Exhibit, go to: https://shepherdgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/julien-levy-the-man-his-gallery-his-legacy.pdf

Increase your art sales by offering a range of price points for certain occasions and types of customers.

Part of a sound sales strategy for artists who want to make a living is to have a price point spread. This opens your work up to additional markets and pocketbooks. If you only sell originals, and your work is in a particular price range, you may easily be missing a lot of potential sales. Increasing your product offering and your price point spread allows you to leverage your creative work, producing income from a single piece of art over and over again.

People buy art and handmade work for different reasons. If your collection is versatile it may fit into more than one marketplace perfectly. You may sell gift items, wearables, smaller works, or art for B2C and B2B clientele. Let’s take a look at some of the specific reasons people buy creative work in different price points:

Impulse Purchasers

These tend to be lower-end items that reflect your brand and your whole collection but are accessible for the average person. Depending on your medium and your technique, price points will vary. They may sell easily when displayed near an expensive showpiece that commands attention but is not practical for the shopper. Brisk sales of impulse items can help pay your booth fee at a fair or festival.

New Collectors

A bit higher priced than impulse items, these “introductory acquisitions” allow shoppers to buy in to your look and style, without being too much of a stretch for their wallets. If you don’t have an introductory priced selection, you might want to consider designing pieces for this purpose. Be sure to get these buyers on your email list for further contact. They may “trade up” to more expensive pieces as they become a serious collector who loves your work.

Wedding Gifts

The average wedding gift is at least $100. Do you have items in this price range that are suitable as a gift for the new couple? These could be a perfect segue into collecting more of your work, such as a large platter that matches a dinnerware set that can be purchased later. If you make jewelry, consider designing a bridal collection that offers not only jewelry for the bride herself, but gifts in a price range that are appropriate for bridesmaids.

Other Gifts

Anniversary gifts or birthday gifts might be good categories for your handmade work. Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Graduation, and Valentine’s Day are also perfect opportunities for gift-giving as well. Have you given thought to what you make that is a fit for one or more of these occasions? Do you have a range of price points for each?

Personal Acquisitions

Shoppers often will spend more money on themselves than for gifts. Here is where your price point range can expand upwards. Do you offer personalized work, or commissions? What is the highest price in your collection? Could you go higher in price with exceptional pieces that command more than what you are now charging? Sometimes artists look to lower their prices, thinking that is where they will pick up additional sales. But there are customers who can spend more, too. Raising your prices might put you perfectly in their comfort zone.

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Artexpo New York returns for its 47th edition to Pier 36 in Manhattan’s trending Lower East Side. And speaking of trending, the artists and galleries selected for this year’s coveted Spotlight Program are definitely doing something unique and forward-looking.

Throughout its nearly five historic decades of exhibiting contemporary and fine art, Artexpo New York has hosted the likes of Andy Warhol, Robert Rauschenberg, Keith Haring, Leroy Neiman, Basquiat, among many others; intensifying the discourse on today’s industry challenges and magnifying the very best the fine art world has to offer.

Artexpo New York 2024 will once again have an interesting mix of exhibiting galleries, art publishers and dealers, and artists from across the globe, showcasing original work of 1000+ artists that includes prints, paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, ceramics, giclees, lithographs and glass works, among other contemporary and fine art.

This year’s Artexpo New York takes place April 4-7, 2024, at Manhattan’s newest destination for art, Pier 36. Each year, the fair’s special programs range from immersive artist-led Art Lab experiences to exciting Meet the Artist sessions.

From the amazing list of exhibitors, Artexpo’s curators present their Spotlight Program, providing collectors a focused look at several cutting-edge galleries and artists recognized for their skill and achievement in the visual arts.

Check out this year’s Spotlight Program recipients below!

Denise Allen – Booth 302

Denise Allen is a familiar name in the New York Outsider Art scene. A distinguished graduate from the Savannah College of Art & Design, one of America’s premier art institutions, Denise has worked through many challenges over the past 30 years to establish herself as a renowned folk artist, a genre sometimes referred to as Outsider Art. Allen’s work is so reminiscent of a rural, bygone era that many people believe it was created more than a century ago. As a contemporary folk artist, Allen fabricates dolls and needlework tapestries that address her African-American heritage. The history of slavery in the United States is a frequent theme, as are folklore figures and popular-culture icons. Even when treating more recent autobiographical themes, Allen casts her figures in an antiquated light. They wear nineteenth-century dresses, cook on wood-burning stoves, do their washing by hand, and participate in quilting bees. It is women – strong, brave, nurturing women, the backbone of the American family – who are the common thread in Allen’s work.

Galeria Azur – Booth 701

Galeria Azur is an international gallery network, including Madrid, Berlin, New York, Miami, and Buenos Aires. Galeria Azur made a significant impact with its inaugural collaboration with the Redwood Art Group at Red Dot 2023 with an impressive footprint and selection of artists’ work. With over a decade of expertise in modern and contemporary art scenes, Galeria Azur is committed to fostering the careers of both emerging and established artists. Their curated solo and group exhibitions create a vibrant, engaging environment that encourages artistic innovation and cross-cultural dialogue. Galeria Azur actively facilitates the growth of artistic careers. Their personalized services extend to bridging connections between artists and influential entities like museums, galleries, institutions, and collectors globally. The gallery’s vision is clear: they strive to secure international recognition for their artists and to craft a strong, sustainable market for their art.

Greg Lotus Gallery – Booth 112

Through the Lens: The Nature of Fashion Greg Lotus. Greg Lotus’s journey is one of contrasts and harmony. His lens captures the ephemeral beauty of the fashion world against the timeless backdrop of nature. His work is a tribute to the exquisite dance of light and shadow, angles and composition, breathing new life into the classical interplay of elements that have fascinated artists for centuries. In the bustling cities of Manhattan, Paris, and Miami, Lotus finds his muses, dressed in the creations of the world’s finest designers, yet it is in the silence of nature that he frames them. From the rarefied atmosphere of high-end fashion shoots to the tranquil realms where wild flora and fauna reign supreme, his photographs are a study of duality. A model’s poised elegance atop a rugged cliff, the sophistication of haute couture amidst the untamed wilderness, or the inclusion of an exotic animal on set—each image is a narrative unto itself. As Lotus traverses the globe, from the cobblestones of European streets to the seclusion of wild landscapes, he carries with him a vision: to showcase the symbiotic relationship between the creations of human ingenuity and the organic artistry of the earth.

Resurrect Studio – Booth S105

Resurrect Studio represents two artists who repurpose industrial materials into fine art, demonstrating innovation in the choice of materials and the environmental statement made through their art. The use of unusual materials and powerful environmental messages redefine artistic innovation. Artists Jean David and Nancy Wu works present an intriguing challenge to the way we think about waste and appeal. Each sculpture is a testament to transforming the devoid into the divine. The fundamental idea of the studio is the magic of metamorphosis, whereby industrial waste is transformed into eye-catching artworks that powerfully proclaim sustainability and creative brilliance. This combination of rough textures and elegant design tells tales of surprising grace and rebirth. Resurrect Studio is a revolution in art, going beyond convention and inspiring people to see the potential that lies within the abandoned. These sculptures are a call to action, reiterating our shared responsibility to protect our planet.

Tengetsu – Booth 316

The Artexpo New York exhibition of the Mount Fuji Illustrated Scrolls is the first step in promoting artist Hōraku Nakamura’s last four significant works to the

world. Hōraku Nakamura, a ceramic artist and painter, began painting the mythology of the famous Izusan Shrine in 2008. After Mount Fuji and the Izu Peninsula were recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Site and World Geopark respectively, Nakamura began working on a four-part Mount Fuji Illustrated Scrolls series. Just before his death in 2023, he completed the fourth work in the series. The Mount Fuji Illustrated Scrolls Quartet is a series of hanging scroll paintings created using traditional Japanese techniques of outlining in ink and then applying vivid colors in Japanese pigments. The work is then overlaid with a mist called “suyari-kasumi,” unique to Japanese painting, in gold ink. While this is a traditional Japanese painting technique, Nakamura’s colors are very pop and unusual for a Japanese painting. Since the original scrolls are protected as a cultural resource for museums and special exhibitions, reproductions of the originals will be available for sale, complete with gold leaf and mounting the same as the original.

Pen and pencil artist Joyce Mayer presents a collection of drawings rendered in exquisite detail. See more of her portfolio by visiting her website.

From childhood, growing up in Boston, I’ve always been interested in art. My attention to detail caused adults to comment by the time I was five years old. They were surprised at things I noticed whether in the material concrete world of objects or the more subtle micro-expressions in the personalities of those around us, both family and friends.

“One Hot Lobstah” colored pencil, 14″ x 17″

Whether this is a blessing or curse depends on who you ask. That characteristic bent showed itself in all its’ glory by the age of eight. I noticed that a gift from Santa and a gift from my parents had the exact same handwriting. Having a sickening sense of what it meant if I was right, I still had to pursue it with the person I trusted most, my father. I laid out my case as well as any Harvard lawyer might have and approached the judge. “Dad, see this book … didn’t you and Mum give this to me?” Yes, first fact established. “And Dad, this doll case is from Santa, right?” Yes indeed, second fact confirmed. “So why is the handwriting the same on both?”

“Buttons and Threads” colored pencil, 12″ x 16″

My Dad looked surprised momentarily, then smiled. “You’re right, we’re Santa, but don’t tell anybody else (six siblings). They won’t understand!” I don’t think my beloved father will ever know what he did for me right there. He enabled me to approach both art and life with that very same pursuit of honesty and diligence to details that tell a bigger story than a mere surface scan.

“Lichtenstein Landscape” pen and ink, 14″ x 20″

Today, and a lifetime later, that springboard is as fresh and motivating as it was as a little girl of eight. I’ve pursued artistic opportunities everywhere I saw them. I understood that being an artist is less about what you “do” and more about how you approach everything when you’re looking at the things people are glossing over, for no other reason than, it’s who you are. I painted quilts, as portraits, using both oil and acrylic to see which was better suited to the tiny details I needed. I’d had a few commissions for old style calligraphic quotes and sayings. The decorative aspects were something I very much enjoyed.

“Pomeriggio in Paradiso” colored pencil, 28″ x 36″

When I traded in my brushes and my art studio for a homeschool classroom, it would be nearly 25 years before an empty nest and a new studio would allow the time and opportunity for me and art (as I’d known it) to be reacquainted once more. I happened upon a local colored pencil workshop to complete my immersion into the unknown. I’d never used colored pencil as a medium before. Previously I’d worked with oil, acrylic, pen and ink. They were the best mediums for the detail work I was seeking. After that workshop, I was hooked on the quality of colored pencil to achieve the depth of color I was looking for, without the mess of paint.

“Jungles of the Mind” pen and ink, 24″ x 30″

I was further encouraged to be published both nationally and internationally as real cementing of my direction. Just last year, I was one of four artists to exhibit in a show called Meticulous. It served to confirm once again that this was my niche. Meticulous detail, including colored pencil in my tool box now.

“Three Little Kittens” colored pencil, 20″ x 28″

What feels like an almost icing on the cake commission is a 60” x 72″ Celtic Illumination manuscript style poem. It incorporates my love of calligraphic lettering, ink and colored pencil for the illuminated decorative parts. In this piece, all letters are hand drawn to maximize the boldness for a piece this large. With this, all aspects of my loves are present.

“Unseen Observer” colored pencil, 24″ x 24″

In other pieces, like Three Little Kittens, nothing is obvious. The adorable girl is not the subject; the three little kittens are, if you can find them. Unseen Observer is another not-so-obvious piece. There is a man in camouflage observing you. If you cannot find him immediately, I’ve done just the right amount of camouflage to hide the subject. Who knows what will come next? Do come along for the adventure!

Joyce Mayer invites you to follow on Instagram.

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Artist Jocelyn Friis shares a dreamlike portfolio of abstract landscapes, drawn from memories and inspired by nature. See more by visiting her website.

I grew up in Cape Town, South Africa. The Atlantic ocean was on one side of the peninsula and the Indian ocean on the other. Spending endless hours dreamily exploring the outdoors and riding my horse on kilometres of open white beach are some of the childhood experiences that formed my view of the world as a child. They have influenced my creative endeavours as an adult.

“The Way” acrylic, 100 x 50 cm

After moving to New Zealand, where I now live in the seaside town of Mangawhai, I am inspired by my surroundings on a daily basis. I’m particularly delighted that living in New Zealand means one is never far away from the sea.

“Seasonal Change” acrylic, 32 x 24 cm

My art making has evolved over the years. Being self-taught, I place a big emphasis on research, discovery and endless experimenting. I have delved into many creative genres such as ceramics, photography and printmaking. However, I am always drawn back to my love of painting.

“Where Paths Lead” encaustic, 50 x 50 cm

I’m at a place in my creative life where I am loving my work and proudly sharing it, with the view of inspiring and moving others. I understand my process as one of responding to my environment and being open to authentically portraying my emotions, feelings and insights.

“Deep Devotion” encaustic, 25 x 20 cm

My abstract land and seascapes are not a direct replica of specific places. However, I see the subconscious influence of my surroundings coming through in my work. I paint from a place within which is fueled by my time spent in nature, where I become still and listen.

“Through the Unknown” acrylic, 29 x 22 cm

If we take the time and space, there really is a lot that nature can teach us. These revelations are a part of my art process. I intuitively start my paintings, usually not knowing where they will lead.

“Impending Encounter” acrylic, 20 x 20 cm

I paint both in acrylic and encaustic. I love the spontaneity of acrylics, using many layers to achieve the finished work. Working with hot wax is like being in another world. Apart from the wonderful beeswax scent, the fluidity and translucency and exciting effects are a joy to behold!

“Unchartered Lands” acrylic 76 x 76 cm

I believe that creativity takes one on a beautiful path to self-discovery and healing. As a qualified facilitator, I encourage others to embark on that journey through offering a space to come and paint, focusing on the process of painting rather than the end product.

Jocelyn Friis invites you to follow on Instagram and Facebook.

Want to stay current on cutting edge business articles from Artsy Shark, plus artist features, and an invitation to the next Call for Artists? Click below to sign up for our twice-monthly email. You’ll get all this plus opportunities and special offers that you can’t get anywhere else!

As you can see, my affirmations are heavily weighted around the people needed to feel successful. The same is true for my art business and marketing programs at Art Biz Success.

I don’t believe in fast fixes.

I don’t believe in positive words for their own sake.

I believe that an artist’s career blossoms to the extent that they are willing to make meaningful connections to build their network. It’s the people you know who will value your work. They will show it, sell it, buy it, and tell others about it.

Collectors don’t appear out of thin air. You must cultivate collectors.

See how we do this in my Essentials for Artist Success program.