This week’s EBSQ Blogger of the Week art is a bold, rich and diverse reflection of the creative mind. She is an artist without limits, one who lets her muse take the driver’s seat.

Who and Where Are You?

Hello, my name is Laura Barbosa and I am a full time fine artist & business owner. I live off the sales of my original paintings and fine art prints. My art is collected on an International Level and my artwork has been featured on HGTV, Published in Hair’s How Magazine, NY ARTS Magazine, Forbes & more.

I am also a mom to 2 wonderful dogs including a therapy dog named Henna. My free time is spent visiting nursing homes and spreading the Joy that only a dog can bring. We live in South New Jersey near the Seaside Boardwalk where they filmed the reality show “Jersey Shore”.

Eagle Feathers 30 x 40 Acrylic

How did you get started art blogging?

When I first started selling my paintings over the internet, I read many articles and found out that Art Blogging was an essential key element to getting noticed by the public. I also wanted a place where I could post my artwork and explain my techniques so I had articles for future reference. My first blog post was not very good because I thought about what I would say and put the words down very mechanically. But through the years, I have learned that any article or blog worth reading must come from the heart. This revelation also helped me name my wordpress blog: “The Heart Of Art Blog – A Virtual Meeting Ground For Art lovers” Since then my art blog has become a diary of my artwork, events, commissions, tips on techniques, a place to share my inner thoughts about selling art, and the best place for me to write down my true feelings and interact with the public. The Heart Of Art Blog has gained popularity through facebook and also has introduced me to many other artists who are now great friends and influential clients and galleries.

Steam 24 x 36 Acrylic & Ink

Any Tips for other EBSQ art bloggers?

My tips would be to keep your blog posts short and interesting and write your true feelings down like you are talking to a best friend. Post at least 3 times a week, something about you as an artist, your new work, your techniques and anything that you think is interesting. Also make sure that your photos are very clear and that you post photos in the majority of your blog posts because people love looking at pictures as a reference to what you are talking about. If you have a face book page, get the app for your blog so you can share your posts automatically with your friends and fans.

Day of the Dead 30 X 40 Acrylic

What’s your musical inspiration of choice when you are working in your studio?

Well, my secret is: I love the Vampire Diaries! I download songs from the soundtrack so I can listen to them while I work. If I am in a more serious mood and creating art with great detail, I might change over to classical music or Andrea Bocelli. The only other ritual I have is clearing my mind before I start working either by taking the dogs for a walk or sitting in the yard for awhile to relax. One thing is for sure: Painting original art on canvas must be done when you have the best desire to do it. I can never force creativity, it just has to flow subconsciously or it won’t turn out very good. I think it is a lot like writing a good blog post from the heart. A good painting must come from the soul.

Uncanny Valley 24 x 36 Acrylic & Inks

What’s coming next for your easel?

I could go on forever answering this question! I have so many ideas, that I literally carry a sketch book with me wherever I go to jot down my future paintings. My next piece is going to involve texture and will include a tropical theme. Maybe some pelicans or ocean art. After that I must paint some fish for the summer. Fish paintings sell out very quickly for me. What I really want to do is a giant abstract for modern interiors, something that includes half faces and industrial mechanisms. There are so many ideas, I usually just decide what I am going to do when I am staring at the canvas, then it happens quickly and finishing it could take any length of time depending on the detail and subject matter. So stay tuned for a lot more art. There is no telling what I will come up with next!

http://laurabarbosa.wordpress.com/