1. Salt Shaker by Delilah Smith

2. Dragon Lore by Melia Newman

3. New Year Poppies by Torrie Smiley

4. Numbers by Vicky Knowles

5. Seclusion by Kimberly Vanlandingham

****

Have a wonderful weekend!

Who and where are you?

I’m Susan Brack of Enchanted Sleigh Studios. I’m a self taught folk artist living in Indiana. I’m lucky to have been able to live most of my life in a rural setting. Our area is rich in farm land, crafting culture and antique shops. While raising my family, I taught quilting and followed the arts and crafts show circuit selling my original folk art dolls, bears and Santa figures. I think that early influence can still be seen in my work today.

How were you introduced to Facebook?

My daughter Rachel Sharp is also an artist living in Scotland. Which made it hard for us to share our latest art and artistic endeavors. She kept telling me I should join Facebook. I was reluctant. You know the old saying, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. ha. I finally signed on. I have never looked back. It has opened a new world to me. I can keep up with my daughter’s activities, share my own work and network all at the same time with other artists, collectors and Facebook friends. Our family also owns a small antique / gift shop in Centerville, IN called The Enchanted Sleigh. So I’ve been able to create an additional business page to share and promote our family’s store.

Any tips for other artists starting a Facebook Page?

Yes, first decide how you want to use your Facebook page. Do you just want to be sociable or do you want to use it to network and promote your art. Try to remember if you are using it to promote your art or business you should always present yourself in a professional and friendly manner. No gossip, political or mean spirited comments. I also try not to over do my postings or make a nuisance of myself. There are features on Facebook that allows you to post every single listing you might have on Etsy or Ebay. If you post all the time, your Facebook friends may end up blocking or unfollowing you. When I do post my art or listings, I try to include a short friendly comment that might be of interest. Facebook can be an awesome marketing tool.

What’s your favorite Facebook Page feature?

I like to be able to follow some of the other artists that I most admire. It is always nice to be able to see how they are using Facebook to promote themselves. It’s a great way to become more educated in my own marketing habits.

What’s coming next from your studio?

I hope to keep producing new Christmas, Halloween and Fantasy illustrations. I have just signed with a new licensing agency. I’m very excited to be back in the licensing world. I’ve always enjoyed designing collections for Holiday and Home Decor products. When the economy took a dive, so many companies seemed to quit using freelancers like me. I’m beginning to see signs of the economy slowly improving. The industry seems to be starting to use more outside art sources again. Thank goodness I had sites like Facebook and EBSQ to help promote and sell my original art to collectors which kept me afloat during the last few years when times were tuff. I hope all artists who want to expand their fan base will take advantage of today’s technology. If I can do it, anybody can.

http://www.facebook.com/susanbrackart

http://susanbrack.ebsqart.com/

Kung Hei Fat Choy!

Faces of Faery 109 by EBSQ Artist Jasmine Becket-Griffith

Dragon Fire by EBSQ Artist Nico Niemi

Silver Celtic Knotwork Dragon Brooch by EBSQ Johanus Haidner

Dragon Square 7 by EBSQ Artist Emily J White

A Knight and His Dragon by EBSQ Artist Susan Brack

Dragon Eye ACEO by EBSQ Artist Christina A Kapono

[View more dragon art at EBSQ]

by Natasha Wescoat

The newest craze in social networking is the highly attractive and addictive Pinterest. Drawing artists, designers, jewelers and other creatives, it’s a fun place to compile your favorite things, pictures you love or sharing dream ideas. Immediately, when I was introduced to it, I couldn’t understand why you would want to use this site. It reminded me alot of the popular fashion bookmark networks and we already had Facebook to share our obsessions. Why use Pinterest? 

This is where it gets interesting…

1. It’s completely visual. Sharing and communicating with picture is it’s angle.

2. Demographic serves well for creatives and a buying crowd.

3. It’s newness means less spam, less noise.

PINTEREST IS PERFECT FOR ARTISTS!

Click  here for 5 Creative Ways To Share Your Work…

1. Circle Play – I’ve been watching artist, Cyndi Agathocleous’ art evolve over the last two years. Her latest geometric abstracts are some of my favorites.

2. With a thankful heart – Congratulations to Teresa Cowley!! Her portrait, Angela, was accepted into the Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists, “Faces of Winter 2012″ Exhibition!

3. The Artist’s Magazine Honorable Mention – More congratulations are in order for scratchboard artist, Sandra Willard!!

4. A boatload of greeting cards – Carmen Medlin has been busy on Zazzle!

5. Facebook Fan Page for your Business – Stacey Zimmerman has some great tips for optimizing your page for your art business.

Have a great weekend!

Playing with Feathers by EBSQ Artist Jamie Golob

What we DIDN’T realize until just about 20 minutes ago is that Jamie’s normally lovely website, Gulf Coast Atelier, which is a non-profit fine arts organization dedicated to upholding the methods, practices and craftmanship of the Old Masters, appears to now be hijacked. We apologize to everyone who clicked on her website link posted on our site as well as in today’s Art of the Day Newsletter. We did not intentionally send you to a bogus advertising site, and our apologies to Jamie for not catching this sooner! We do hope you’ll take the time to view Jamie’s exceptional artwork directly in her portfolio at EBSQ.

Sad Girl by EBSQ Artist Aylan N Couchie

Loneliness by EBSQ Artist S. Key

Crossing Your Path by EBSQ Artist Carol DeMumbrum

Village Cemetery by EBSQ Artist Naquaiya

An editorial note: none of these pieces were created to address today’s #StopSOPA protests. Nor did EBSQ have any obvious gallery pieces that addressed censorship in general (that wasn’t of the girly-bits variety, which would have diluted the message too much)

EBSQ did NOT “black out” today out of respect for our paying customers who depend upon our services. But I think as artists, this is a conversation we should probably be having. I personally (and professionally) oppose SOPA/PIPA. From what I’ve read and researched it goes too far in limiting our freedoms and doesn’t effectively address the issue of piracy, which many of our members have unfortunately experienced firsthand. So I bring it to you: Where does copyright protection end and censorship begin?

Circus by EBSQ Artist Veronique Perron

Hi!

From the very beginning, EBSQ has been all over the interwebs. On eBay. Live Journal (our first blog!). Soon to celebrate our 5th Anniversary on Twitter(!). Are we friends yet?

Here’s where you can find us online:

On Twitter: @ebsq

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EBSQart

We have a Street Team on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/teams/5789/ebsq-etsy

We have a group on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/groups/ebsq

We’re on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/EBSQ

And Vimeo: http://vimeo.com/ebsq

Oh, and don’t forget our home sweet home! http://www.ebsqart.com

Show us animals that occur naturally with black & white markings: pandas, skunks, cows, tuxedo cats, zebras…you get the idea. As long as it exists in nature, it’s fair game. [read more]

To quote They Might Be Giants:

“Most with cones for seeds, most with needles for leaves. C is for Conifers, my kind of tree” [read more]

In 2012, we’ll be tackling all four seasons. First up is Winter. All entries must pertain to this season in an obvious way. [read more]

To enter any of the above shows, you must be a member of EBSQ. Not yet a member? Consider joining today!

Our full 2012 Exhibition calendar is here.

Take the 12 in 12 Challenge!

Headed Home by EBSQ Artist Melinda Dalke

Melinda joins our Twitter contest winner, Lori Mirabelli, who won a full year of EBSQ on Twitter the week before. Here’s Lori’s first new artof 2012:

Untitled artwork by EBSQ Artist Lori Mirabelli

Congratulations, ladies! And our hats are off to all of the participating artists. By the look of things, 2012 is going to be an absolutely gorgeous year!