Art: Help!: June 2013

Art Solutions At Your Fingertips

I am the only artist in my family. Ever! I have no idea how I got my talent, or why I got my talent. What I know is that if I could not draw, paint, sketch, etc. my life would not be worth living.

Because I'm the only artist in my family, growing up I had very little guidance and even less knowledge of all the materials available to a fledgling artist. My tools were simple: a pencil, pencil crayons (chewed on regularly by my little sister), and plain, print paper--if I was lucky. (Plain paper was expensive, so I mostly drew on scrap paper, or in old accounting and graph books.)

I have not seen an art store 'till I was in high school, and I have not seriously started to use art stores to purchase my supplies 'till college.

I am writing all of this, because if you are an only artist in your family, or if you are the parent of the only artist in your family, I want you to know that I understand your frustration with the lack of information available to you. It is easy to ask questions when you know what to ask, but what if you have no idea what you should know? That lack of information is the chief reason I decided to write this series of articles.

In these articles I promise to do my very best to guide you through the difficult stages of becoming a professional artist, so that your way may be easier than mine.

I hope you will find the information useful, and I hope you will share this blog with anyone looking for art help.

If you do not find what you are looking for here, I'm always ready to help and offer what advice I can. You can post your question as a comment, or you may e-mail me: mili.fay@artofmili.ca.

On the other hand, if you are an artist and have advice and/or information you would like to share, please feel free to do so. I have been through several art schools, but I'll be the first to admit that there are many things I still have to learn. Your knowledge and experience is more than welcome.

So, let's begin at the beginning: Art Store Navigation!

12 June 2013

ART CONTEST!

To support wildlife conservation, protection, and education, I've decided to create monthly animal art prints. However, I need help choosing the animals. If you love animals and art, this contest is for you. There is no age limit, no skill requirement,... The whole world is invited! Have fun drawing and remember:

"Together we support the world one artwork at a time."

Note: If you are under legal age, you need your parent's or guardian's permission to enter this contest.

To Enter The Contest:

1. Create an original artwork of your favourite wild animal. It cannot be an imaginary animal!!!

2. Send a 1 MB JEPG (.jpg) file of your artwork, your name, your age, and contact information (a working e-mail will be fine) to Mili Fay Art:

contest@artofmili.ca

You must send your artwork by midningt on the last day of the month to qualify for that month.

Judging:

Mili Fay will choose the top 10 entries for each month. Then a panel of artists (including Mili Fay) will choose the winning entry. Judge's names for each month will be posted with the winning entries.

PRIZE:

The winner will receive an Art Print of a painting created by Mili Fay showcasing the winner’s favourite wild animal. His/her work will be showcased on AIMH Members’ Fan Page and Mili Fay Art’s Social Sites. The winner will also be entered in a draw to win “Animals In My Hair” Artwork Book.

Rules:

One entry per person per month. You can only win once. Previous winners will be disqualified.

Monthly contest closes at midnight on the last day of the month. Winners will be contacted, and top entries will be showcased on AIMH Members’ Fan Page and Mili Fay Art’s social sites.

The draw will be held on January 15th 2014.

Mili Fay reserves the right to discontinue this contest at any time in her sole discression.