Activist art is, by definition, historically specific. It aims to address particular cultural, political and social concerns with a view to producing concrete social change. It is interesting to me as an artist and an educator how seldom we find an analysis of what makes effective activist art a part of what we teach and learn, especially since we need it now more than ever.

Categories: Activist Art, Artist Resources, Diversity, Fablous Artists, Feminist art, Fiber arts. Fabric design, Inspiration, Political Art, Teaching Art and Creativity, This and That, Wisconsin Arts, Women Artists

I spent a rousing evening with the Arts Matters folks discussing the difference between using social media for ‘marketing’ your art and using it to build creative community (I’m an advocate for the latter).

Categories: Artist Resources, Biographical, Career Development, Promotional Materials, Teaching Art and Creativity, This and That, Uncategorized, Women Artists

The only way to properly mourn a person like Rae Atira-Soncea is to organize opportunities to recognize her creative work and to bring people together to figure out how to put their creative thinking into action. There were many ways people knew Rae personally and professionally, and all of them reflected an acknowledgment of her fierce commitment to positive social change through community building and creative actions that acknowledge the integrity and potential of all individuals.

Categories: Activist Art, Diversity, Fabulous Artists, Feminist art, Inspiration, Teaching Art and Creativity, This and That, Women Artists

There is no doubt about it, building an art career is a lot of work. It has been quite an interesting and productive period of time for me recently as I work to balance my multiple interests: art making, day job, teaching, and planning and promotions for future and current projects.

Categories: Biographical, Career Development, Inspiration, Teaching Art and Creativity, Uncategorized, Watercolor, Workshops and Classes

Its wonderful to see students new to art learn that “creating art makes you more aware” of all there is to see and to come to understand that one of the major jobs an artist does is to notice and document this amazing world so others can see it too.

Categories: Artist Resources, Biographical, Career Development, Inspiration, Teaching Art and Creativity, This and That, Workshops and Classes

We are focusing on art making as a way to think and draw upon what we already know about what we need to survive and prosper as artists and as balanced human beings.

Categories: Artist Resources, Biographical, Career Development, Inspiration, Teaching Art and Creativity, This and That, Uncategorized, Workshops and Classes

My art making is a process of visual exploration of ideas or concerns. The resulting artworks document my creative and critical thinking. After a process of editing I choose the best of the visual texts to share with the world.

Categories: Artist Resources, Biographical, Career Development, Teaching Art and Creativity, Watercolor

You might think its talent or education that is required to make art, and while both are foundational repeatedly you will hear artists talking about acquiring three things, 1) adequate time, 2) adequate space, and 3) adequate money.

Categories: Artist Resources, Biographical, Career Development, Inspiration, Teaching Art and Creativity, This and That, Uncategorized

My next few blog posts will be the text of an interview I gave not so long ago that outlines my thoughts on career development for contemporary artists through the lens of my personal experience.

Categories: Artist Resources, Biographical, Career Development, Inspiration, Teaching Art and Creativity, This and That

I am one of those people who has always identified as an artist. I became one of the kids in my school known as an artist and I loved that attention.

Categories: Artist Resources, Biographical, Career Development, Diversity, Inspiration, Teaching Art and Creativity, This and That, Women Artists