New Abstract Art: Australian Artist Hilton Owen (via SFsthetik – Art, Media, Technology and Culture News)

I really like Hilton Owen’s out front stylish, pop use of humans and objects and he is abstract artist whose work is worth following. His use of line, form and figuration Owen says, “I paint what I see around me. The physical union of individuals with objects that occur in my paintings suggests…

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Delicate Balance © MFCarter

When should an artist not have a blog?

Blogging can help artists look at their work more deeply and help them express themselves more clearly. In addition, blogging can be a resource for connecting with potential clients and for selling art. It’s not for everyone though and here I attempt to provide some guidance to those who are thinking about adding a blog to their arsenal.

Below is my list of 10 reasons why an artist should not have a blog:

1. If you are starting your blog because someone told you that you should have a blog.
2. If you think you will have instant success. This doesn’t happen very often. It takes a while to build up people who are interested in following your blog.
3. If you feel you are creative enough and do not need to stimulate your creativity. Blogging will fuel your creativity through the interaction with other people and artists.  It will exercise other parts of your brain and ideas will come to you.
4. Blogs need to be added to several times a week. If you don’t have time to create new posts or have trouble in coming up with new ideas, it is best not to blog because the benefits won’t be there. One of the best aids in creating new blog entries is writing down a list of ideas whenever you have a chance or even having a designated time to think about new ideas each week. Build a reservoir of ideas and things will go much easier for you.
5. If comments or criticism tend to bother you a blog isn’t a good idea. Remember, the blog is for interacting with your public. It gives you a forum for exchanging ideas and making new friends.
6. You should enjoy posting and writing about art and other subjects. If you don’t, then it places an obstacle in your way for blogging at all. It should never feel like a burden.
7. If you find questions about your art annoying or you don’t enjoy interacting with other people. Blogging can be difficult for you if either of these things are a part of your character.  In addition, sometimes, it can be very hard to express what a work meant to you at the time you were creating it and frustrating as well as time consuming when someone comes up with a question about it. This takes practice and a willingness to dig deeper into your persona.
8. You will need to post images of your work. If you fear people steeling your images or using them improperly then blogging isn’t a good idea.
9. If introspection and interaction with your fans tends to bore you or if you have no interest in exploring your work more deeply, then blogging will be a difficult. On the other hand, it will help you connect to your art on a verbal level and perhaps help you to explore some of the deeper meaning of what you have created.
10. If your art is selling great, you don’t need any new friends, you don’t need to connect with a new gallery, you don’t have a need to increase your sales blogging is probably not necessary for you.

Blogging can be very rewarding and has its benefits but it’s definitely not for everyone.  As you think about blogging, take an honest look at yourself and your own situation. Look at what it could do for you but also examine your own honest feelings about it. Only you can decide if blogging is a good idea for you.

I look forward to hearing your feedback.

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Additional behind-the-scenes trailers for the new season of True Blood. True Blood Season 6 begins on June 16 at 9:00 PM on HBO.

True Blood Season 6 | “Jason” Waiting Sucks

True Blood Season 6 | “Alcide” Waiting Sucks

True Blood Season 6 | “Eric” Waiting Sucks

True Blood Season 6 | Eric Dies? Jason Kills Nora? Behind-The-Scenes

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Davison organizer of Michigan’s anti gay marriage amendment: ‘We believe that’s the biblical standard’ (via Mlive.com)

GENESEE COUNTY, MI — A Davison man who helped launch Michigan’s constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage predicted the day would come when the federal Defense of Marriage Act was challenged. “We saw this day coming,” said the Rev. Stephen T. Anthony, who is district superintendent of the…

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Landon Murphy, a 7 year old boy lip syncs to Closer by Tegan and Sara. He nails it.

Original video with Tegan and Sara

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French parliament adopts landmark gay marriage law (via AFP)

The French parliament on Tuesday defied months of angry protests by approving a bill that is to make France the 14th country worldwide to legalise same-sex marriages. But opponents to the law vowed to fight on, quickly filing a constitutional challenge and promising more demonstrations to pressure…

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 Everything is Possible.

A young journalist needs to confront his heritage when the Earth is invaded by members of his race.

Promising to be the blockbuster of summer 2013.

Scheduled for release on June 14, 2013

Director: Zack Snyder
Stars: Russell Crowe, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams

Trailer

Trailer #2

Trailer #3

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