Do this when you are thrown.

So many times I get - BOOF! BAP! - BOFFO! - SPLURG!  - knocked off course; knocked off my horse and sit startled in a puddle of mud. 

blink.

blink.

blink.

(Not even sure where my left shoe went.)

In those moments I tell myself:

So grateful am I to you, loyal subjects, that I am giving you this bit of encouragement on a piece of my art. 

Here is the link. 

Download it. 

Share it.

Just make sure you get back on that horse!

join my invite & events list for more frivolity

Which lasts longer: 7 Lipsticks or ONE piece of Art?

$100. 

The quandry =  7 1/2 lipsticks or ONE fabulous little piece of art?

I love lipstick more than the average bear but really, those things are only going to languish at the bottom of my bag. I have a big mouth and I cannot use up seven and a half lipsticks. Can't. But luscious art lasts a long time.

Right now, I am engaged in a fabulous hunt for artists selling a portion of their work at very affordable prices - more than affordable prices. Yes, you can find A LOT of cheap and not-so-good art online - but I am talking about good, quality work at surprisingly affordable prices. I am collecting my favorites on a pinboard called "Good Art for Under $100."

How can artists afford to sell their original art for such a teeny, tiny amount of money? Really - $100 for original art = practically free. 

The low price is due to a number of factors:

size - It is tiny! Not bad. Just small. You really need to READ the description of the art. Tiny art is awesome - just make sure you understand the size. 

medium - What it is made with. Prints (such as etchings, woodblock prints and those guys), drawings and other works on paper will be less than a fancy oil painting.

Suspenne, 8"x10", Acrylic Monotype, Amantha Tsaros, 2012. ($95)

experience - Artists who are just starting out - but who make great art will charge a little less than other artists especially if that artist is already represented by a gallery.

I will post some marvelous finds here on my blog, but you can check out my newest finds on my Pinterest board, "Good Art Under $100".Please have a look at my Pinterest board or suggest some artists in the comments section! 

Now then, Good Art Under $300 is coming up. Because paintings and other works NOT on paper are not - or should not - be $100 or less. 

How To Squeeze 8 Paintings onto a Business Card with an Accordion

Mama's Got a Squeeze-what?!

No - Mama's gotta cram as much art as possible onto a business card.

Big Cards?

Square Cards?

Folded Tent Cards?

How can you get a lot of art on 2.5" x 4.25"?

Turn to Ye Olde Accordion Book.

A simple old-fashioned idea. An accordion book is created by simply folding a small piece of paper like a fan. Here is mine:

4.25" x 2.5" Accordion Book of Monotypes by Amantha Tsaros

It boasts eight paintings, and my contact info all over it.

There are easier ways to make this but I'll share my low-tech technique.
Excellent for artists with lame Photoshop "skills" and short on time.

How to make an accordion book using Publisher.

1. Create a Publisher document in landscape format. Add guides to divide the page in half horizontally and vertically. Add  guides 1/4 of the way across so that each 8 1/2 x 11 page (double sided) would make two accordion books when printed in landscape format.

2. Slap an image in each panel - line those bad boys up real nice, like.

Page 1 of the 2-sided document

3. Put your contact information on the front and extend it along the front as well.

4. Make color copies on double sided glossy paper and then
cut them in half horizontally.

Front and back of the accordion book business cards

5. Be forced to watch cartoons with a five-year old while you fold the copies into
little accordions.

Fold the accordion book in quarters to fit 8 images 

6. Shriek when you realize that the margins at the short ends are too wide.

7. Trim the ends a tiny bit with a $20 paper trimmer from the craft store.

8. Choose one:
  - Wine and chocolate
    -Scotch and soda
    -Bubble bath and pedicure

If you allow yourself enough time, you may be able to create them by ordering accordion fold brochures and have them cut in half.

How do you maximize the space on your business cards? Do you make accordion cards?
I would love to see them!