Calypso Moon Artist Movement

Click here for Rebecca's Musical choice

Rebecca Wang

Sylvia Young

Nancie Johnson

This is breaking from on our normal tradition but I think it will be fun.
Were you awake in anticipation for the Royal Wedding? It was said to have 2 billion viewers on television and 400 million via internet. That is over 1/3rd of our planet's population.

What I'd like for us to do is use The Royal Wedding Channel on Youtube as the source material for this month's challenge. Under The Wedding Highlights tab you'll find all the moments from the beginning. Go through the videos and find your moment to express in paint. What a grand affair to witness. Heck... send me two or three paintings if you so desire.

I also would like to announce that Paula Reynolds will be having a one woman show opening this Friday May 6th at the Firehouse Gallery in Del Rio Texas. Paula has been an inspirational painter for many of us. Let's all wish Paula well and send her messages of encouragement. If you happen to be in the neighborhood make it a plan to go and see her show. Paula will be offering a variety of original pieces at very modest prices. We all support Paula and hope that fresh patrons discover the moving melody found in her pieces.

Paula Reynolds

Art in Music

2011-04-01T20:48:00.000-07:00

Rebecca Wang

Barbara Field

Click here for Barbara's musical choice

Sally Evans

Click here for Sally's Musical choice

Click here for Paula's Musical choice

JB Pelardon

Click here for JB's Musical choice

Click here for Nancie's Musical Choice

William Cook

Click here for William's Musical Choice

Jean Nelson

Click here for Jean's Musical Choice

Karla Uphoff

Click here for Karla's Musical Choice

The Art challenge for April will be intertwined with music. Submissions this month should include your painting and a link to YouTube where one can go to listen to the song that you've chosen. I want the song to influence and lead your painting. When you post your piece , please tell us why you selected that paticular song/score and how it is reflected in your masterpiece.

Landscape Challenge

2011-02-01T22:21:00.000-08:00

Calypso Moon Artist Movement

is on Liberty for the Month Of March and will resume

April 1st with a new challenge

William Cook

Bernard Echanow

Barbara Field

Carrington Brown

Sylvia Young

Horst Hittenberger

Gretchen Hash-Heffner

Jean Nelson

Karla Uphoff

20 or so years ago I had a mental block against the appreciation and beauty of Landscape Art. Today I am completely in love with it. This is a perfect time for many of us to paint a wintery landscape. I hope all of you that are getting snow are snapping away reference photos for future paintings. The landscapes don't have to be cold. Paint what inspires you. This challenge will be for the entire month of February.

I left a comment on the previous challenge for those who participated in last month's Art Sales 101 challenge. I will be emailing the four artist who completed the challenge very soon. We still have some distance to go before we can launch as a collective art group on Ebay or Etsy. Let's see if we can work out the small stuff and find a way to make this happen.

Art Sales 101

2011-01-02T14:59:00.000-08:00

Click Here to Purchase

Alan Osler

Karla Uphoff

*SOLD*

I hope that everyone had a good holiday season with your families. It's time for us to focus on our art and each other again. The challenge this month is to sell at least 1 painting online on your own. I am going to make the subject matter this month entirely free for you to decide.
I asked in December for you to complete a homework assignment for January's challenge. I hope you set up account with either etsy/ebay/ dailypainters or have a web page/store where you can have Paypal Transactions. I also asked for you to set up a Facebook account. If you already have, how come you're not my friend yet?
Why are we doing this you ask? I felt that it would be silly for me not to help in this matter. I have some experience in selling other artist work and feel that my background can be of help for those just starting. I want you to think about what makes your artwork desireable.
Ask yourself if you'd purchase this piece and display it. Focus on the standards you'd expect as if you were buying it. I am going to critique every person who completes this assignment in excruciating detail. Be prepared. Your artwork has to catch the eye of the patron. Consider seriously how your thumbnail image compares to other artist on etsy, ebay. etc. You should already know that the slightest error in presentation will put you at a great disadvantage.
Treat everyone as if they are a buyer. I've had 5 figure sales in less than 15 minutes to people who walk in with no shoes, shirt and a beer belly. I've sold paintings using just body language to people who barely understand English. Remember Art needs no interpreter. It has the ability to communicate without outside explanation. The stronger the painting resonates the easier it is to find a patron for that piece. Once you have a buyer your work is not finished. You have to follow through with outstanding customer service. You are responsible for shipping and communicating to your buyer. Don't just throw your piece in a box and ship it without any padding protection. Be professional and curteous. Cover every detail. Be sure to have a tracking number and follow up with your buyer after it has been received. Always be thankful.

The image you submit will be linked to a location where it can be be purchased immediately.
Contact/ inquire artist directly for purchase is not an option for this challenge.
I want to see a clear price with paypal as a form of payment.

Rule:The painting you submit must be created specifically for this challenge. Do not submit a painting that was done in the past or from a photo/artwork by someone else.

Giving and Receiving

2010-12-02T07:04:00.000-08:00

Barbara Field

New Year exchange with Paula Reynolds

Helen Eaton

Alan Osler

Christmas exchange with Jean Nelson

New Year exchange with Barbara Field

Victoria Culbertson

Jean Nelson

Christmas exchange with Alan Osler

We are going to step away from the usual rules for this month's challenge to do something different. I would love to see Holiday Christmas Cards from all of the participants. You can use mixed media- Glitter, Ribbon, Threadwork, Fibres, Scissors, Glue, Calligraphy, Anything you want. I also love the idea of exchanging Holiday Cards with another Calypso Moon Artist.
If you want to participate in the exchange let me know that You Wish to
Give and Receive when you submit your piece via email and
include an address where you can receive postal mail. I'll gather the names/addresses and partner you with another artist by casting lots. I will have two drawings. One on the 15th of December for those of you who finish early and another on the 31st of December for those who need more time. You can of course participate and choose not to mail someone a greeting art card. Besides, what would Christmas be without Scrooges, Grinches and Abominable Snowpeoples ?

Okay I know December is a crazy month so do the best you can.
Deadline is December 31 7pm ECT.

I also have a homework assignment for January's challenge. If you don't have an Ebay, Etsy, or website with a paypal function featuring your artwork, I want you to get one. I am not talking about paying for a store front on Ebay. Just reserve/create a seller ID that is going to be used exclusively for selling art. Both Etsy and Ebay will allow you to create an ID for free. Make your Id recognizable e.g. JohnDoePaintStudio. I also would like for everyone to sign up on Facebook if you haven't already.

I have deeply enjoyed meeting all of you fine artist during this past year and want to sincerely give thanks for the warmth you bring to my heart. Lets make 2011 even better.

Painting History

2010-11-01T20:15:00.000-07:00

Thank you all, for making last month such a blast. I wanted to point out how much I admire the poetry talents of Bernard Echanow and Paula Reynolds. Two talented artist who happen to be extremely gifted writers.

This month's challenge is about the importance of capturing a moment in time that you've witnessed that involve/include people. Some artist like to dress up models and direct the scene. That generally does not appeal to me, unless you're Norman Rockwell, N.C. Wyeth or Winslow Homer. But they are very different. They were amazing illustrators and have a different set of guidelines. I prefer the moment that you capture in paint to be truthful. This doesn't mean it should be boring. I want to believe that the scene is real and not something you've set up. I'd like for you to take a place that you're familiar with and look for interesting moments to paint. You'll need your camera, unless you already have a photo reference in your archive. It could be from anywhere... like the grocery store, voting line, party, dinner table gathering, unemployment office, cafe, restaurant, rodeo, circus, theatre, playground, sports event- you get the idea. The really tough part will be in finding something that will make a great painting, be of interest to a broad audience and is also relatable to who you are or what you've experienced. When I write truthful you should understand that you still have artistic license. Take things out of a scene if they are obstructive. Moving an object over if it helps the composition. Enrich the color. Know when to simplify. Use brushstokes in places you need movement. Those types of elements must always be observed.
When you post your painting tell us why you chose the subject that you did and how it relates to you. For new artist joining in, if you use a photo reference for your work it must be one that you, yourself have taken.

Deadline is November 30th 7pm ECT. Go and make history.

It just occured to me that some of you may find people a challenge to paint. Don't let people scare you. Abstract them if you have to.

Spooktacular Challenges

2010-10-01T15:49:00.000-07:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

187 Skulls

We have a tie

The winners are :

Nancy Clearwater Herman

Ria Hills

Both of them guessed 186 Skulls

Each of these ladies will win a crafty beaded bracelet designed just for them.

Don't be sad though because everyone who played wins a treat from the Skull Jar so you can get crafty too. Just email me at artistalicethompson@live.com the address you'd like your treat mailed to.

Thank you for painting and playing!

Nancy Herman

Marilyn Russell

Can YOU guess the correct # of Skulls in THIS jar ?

October is upon us and the best holidays will soon be here. This months challenge is anything Halloween. Pumpkins, black cats, candy corn, dress up, masks, spiders etc. How do you celebrate All Hallows' Eve ? I hope to see a few paintings with bright Orange and Yellow in them . Remember what you paint is as important as how you paint. I will also allow 2 paintings from any artist this month because there is a second challenge for this October. The second challenge is scarey and only the bravest artist will dare attempt it. The second painting must have a Halloween theme as well but you must paint it without using a paintbrush. This can be done in a variety of ways like painting directly from the tube, using a knife, fork, spoon, q-tips, cardboard... whatever.

This month is special because we have a giveaway. Anyone can participate in the giveaway by leaving a comment on this post- (kids too) found on the top right of this page, just be sure to leave an email address as a POC if you do not have a blog. The person who can correctly guess (or comes closest) will win something crafty made by Calypso Moon Artist Alice Thompson. In the event of a tie... you both win something crafty. If you participate in the painting challenge(s) YOU get to guess twice.

Painting Submissions due by October 3o 7pm eastern time.

Deadline for the giveaway in the comments section is October 31st 7pm East Coast time. Winner(s) will be announced at 9pm October 31st eastern time.

ROY G BIV

2010-08-31T14:29:00.000-07:00

You know the feeling you get when you walk into the paint section of a home improvement store and see all those wonderful paint color palette chips on display, beautifully lit and perfectly aligned in a flowing unison of current. True Euphoria.
I want you to go back to the days before the internet existed. Remember when we all had to go to libraries and museums to learn about art. I do. I also remember coming back to certain artist time and again and studying what made their work spectacular and so appealing. One thing they all had in common was the mastery of color and using it in unexpected ways. Our next challenge will be a self portrait. Our last self portrait challenge Genesis only allowed the use of 1 color. This time I want you to hit every major stop on the color wheel and find an expressive way to use it in your self portrait. Too often I find artist struggling with portaiture. A common mistake I've noticed is that the paint is overworked and the colors are drab. Your skin no matter your ethnicity has a rainbow of color. Another MAJOR RULE for this self portrat is that you must USE A MIRROR and NOT a photo. DO NOT PRINT OUT AN IMAGE OF YOURSELF AND PAINT OVER IT. We are a group of Fine Artist. All paintings should at the very least have ROY G BIV found in them. The intensity and values are in your control. The deadline for this challenge is September 29th 7pm eastern time.
Show me some color!

Liberty

2010-08-01T00:33:00.000-07:00

Calypso Moon Artist Movement has been sailing for six months straight and will go on Liberty every 7th month. I'll give you a hint and let you know that our next challenge for September will be extremely colorful and October's will be Spooktacular with a fun giveaway attached. Look for our next challenge to be posted on August 31st. Be safe and have fun on Liberty!

FREEDOM

2010-06-25T05:01:00.000-07:00

The Art challenge for July will ask that all participating artist be willing to critique and be critiqued on their use of color. Each artist should critique the artist above and below their posted image on this blog. The first person will have to wait for the last piece to post. All critiques should be done by July 24th.
Now on to our challenge.
What is Freedom? The symbols we think of the most in the United States would be the flag and the Eagle. These have become powerful images. What would happen though if you asked people individually would they might need to be or feel free? Would it be more money, better health, a divorce? Some may choose hobbies such as fishing, riding, shopping, and for most of us here-painting. Is there something in your life that keeps you from being free? Do you suffer from fear, abuse, disability, anxiety? Do you think you’d be able to paint what keeps you enslaved? I want you to express Freedom or lack thereof creatively. Keep in mind that this month’s challenge welcomes Abstract Art. Images will post July 1st. The deadline for submissions is July 21st 7pm ECT.

Light in Darkness

2010-05-29T04:36:00.000-07:00

Have you considered how artist from centuries past painted without the use of electricity during those creative nocturnal hours? I wonder how many flames might be needed to be able to mix colors, see one’s canvas, subject matter, studio … did they have mirrors to reflect the light? HMMM.

There is something mystical and inviting about the illumination of light in darkness. I’m sure many of you already have a favorite night scene image in your mind. This month’s challenge will be about capturing the glow that appeals to your senses. Be dramatic. Use whatever light source(s) you desire. You might find it helpful if you start out with a black background and work toward the light. The deadline for submissions is June 21st 7pm ECT.

The Secret Garden

2010-04-24T13:14:00.000-07:00

Pattie Wall

Horst Hittenberger

I’d like to thank everyone who participated in the STARving Artist challenge. I also want to tell you how especially pleased I was with those of you who completed the entire challenge by supporting your fellow artist and writing a critique for them on their composition. All of you that wrote critiques exceeded my expectations and made me very glad that I didn’t have a set guideline already in place. Still I had several of you that had to be reminded to complete this part of the assignment. Not every artist is right for the Calypso Moon Artist Movement and I will not allow any individual to keep the group from meeting our goals and objectives. Even though I had to invisibly drag some of you to your keyboards to write them, the end result was well worth it! 25 composition critiques were completed by yesterdays deadline not including the extra ones many of you wrote for the artist you were not assigned. Thank you all again!

We now sail forward to our next challenge.

To be a good artist you’ve got to get out of the studio. The healing power of a garden has always been a mystery to me. On many occasions I’ve unconsciously sought the sanctuary of plants and greenery. After reading many of your blogs it seems a number of you do so as well. Do you have a secret garden? Do you retreat to a pond, park, tree or nursery? Do you have a small patch of earth to cultivate? If so I’d like for you to paint that and tell us about it. At the moment I don’t have a garden, so I may just imagine one for the challenge. After much debate with myself I’ve decided to allow you to paint flowers. For some people your secret garden may even be the floral section in the supermarket. Just be sure to send me an image that you painted specifically for the challenge and not something previously painted that you feel will fit nicely. That would be missing the purpose entirely. No critiques this month but be sure to visit your others artist and continue to support them with your comments. Good words aptly written feed the soul. Images will be posted on May 1st. The challenge ends May 21st 7pm eastern time.

STARving Artist

2010-03-23T15:23:00.000-07:00

Nicole Horn-Fakher

Claire Beadon Carnell

Pattie Wall

Sherry Thurner

Does a fine artist have to suffer? This month’s challenge will center around a subject matter that I personally undervalue and have held little value for. That subject would be food. Perhaps we can change this. I want you to paint Bad Food. What do I mean by that? I mean the kind you’re not suppose to eat because it’s bad for your Blood Pressure/ Cholesterol/ Waistline or maybe just your Teeth. What is it you really love to divulge in but know that you shouldn’t? So please don’t send me images of healthy food. Stay far away from cliché. No matter how pretty your orange may be- I will not post it, unless the thinly sliced mandarin is the topping of a decadent cheesecake. I will repeat it again- Bad Food that be delicious. When you post your painting on your blog be sure to tell us the name of the dish and why it’s no good for you. Remember I’m only asking you to paint it… whether or not you gobble it down is up to your willpower. So, going back to my opening question... we do have to suffer for art sometimes.

This month will be the first month that all participants will be subject to giving and receiving a simple critique of each other’s work. Do not participate if you are not able or willing to be critiqued. The critiques will become more complex as we move along. For now we will give this simple test a try. Here’s what we’ll do. You will critique the person directly below and above your finished image on this blog. First and last posted will be giving a critique of one another. This means the first person will have to wait until the last image is post. All of you will receive and give two critiques. I want you to all critique each other on composition only. Critique Guidelines will not be available for this challenge. Do your best! Also when finished giving your art critique put on your food critic hat and let that person know if their painting moved your senses. Can you smell it/ taste it, would you know the texture if you had a bite? Be honest. Be nice. Be good. Be fair.

Images will not be posted until after April 1st. Deadline is April 21st 7pm eastern time.

Collectors

2010-02-22T13:55:00.000-08:00

Carol Horzempa

Kaylyn Munro

Elaine Berglund

Now onward to our next challenge
I am fascinated by our desire to collect things. We sometimes honor things by giving them special exhibit space in our homes. Some things are so sacred to us that we keep them locked away. What is it you collect that will shed more light into who you are? I’d like for you to take only two things that you collect and make an interesting painting that reflects your personality and or history. I suspect that for most people this will be a still life, but not necessarily. If you’re that person in the neighborhood who collects cats and dust bunnies and want to share that with us all- you may. If you have something that brings you to tears whenever you touch it-put that on canvas. When you post your image on your blog go into detail about these two items. Take your time. Images will not be posted until after March 1. The deadline is March 21 7pm Eastern time. For extra credit make a slide show of your painting from beginning to end.

New Rule Several people are having difficultly with the pixel photo size I previously requested so it has been modified. I don't want software to keep you from sending me your masterpiece.

Genesis

2010-01-22T10:47:00.000-08:00