Seth Apter's Blog, page 112

Gold Digger

Digging for gold! This post is my own contribution to the Buried Treasure collaboration. Links to each and every participating artist can be found in the previous post on my blog.


My choice for this project is a modification of a post that was originally on my blog in October 2009.  It tells the story in pictures of my artist book "Billboard". I generally have no trouble letting go of my art but this is one book whose pages I wish I could still turn. And whose surface I wish I could still feel. At least "Buried Treasure" will allow me one more virtual viewing!





This book is loosely influenced by both the shape and the visuals of old, previously used billboards.


These old billboards become abstract canvases which totally resonate with my love of things with a history, things distressed, things with layers, and things that have been changed by time.





And, in this case, they reveal what is below the surface.

Buried Treasure 2012

Welcome to Buried Treasure: an online, collaborative project that invites art bloggers to go into the depths of their blogs and dig for buried treasure. Each participant was asked to repost one (or more) or their favorite posts from their own blog. There are so many brilliant artists out there but so little time to explore all their work fully. This gives us all an opportunity to see highlights from posts we may have missed from so many of our favorite bloggers!
Click on the links below to go to the blog posts of the participants. Please check back here often as I will be updating this list continuously as more people post. The links are numbered so you can keep track of what you have seen. Believe you me, this will take you more than one sitting. Please note that I will soon add a link to this post from my sidebar so that these links will always be easily accessible!

If you are a blogger on a treasure hunt and you do not find your name on the list, please email me and I will add your link. And it is not too late to join in. I will be adding links until Sunday, July 15th. So if you are interested in digging for treasure on your own blog, click here for the details.

  1. The Altered Page
  2. CERULEAN
  3. Nerdy Girl's Guide
  4. Art by Janine Whitling  5. Dabblings
  6. Clearer Reflections
  7. Linda Woods/Karen Dinino
  8. Every Little Thing
  9. Cinnamon Studio
10. A Paper Bear
11. bethbynumartist
12. textures shapes and colors
13. Artistically Afflicted
14. Daisy Yellow
15. JazWorks
16. Brain Angles - Invisible Ink
17. Irene Rafael
18. Inkhaven
19. Art matters
20. Billie's Craft Room
21. Just a Note
22. Beanie Mouse
23. Often Medieval in Mood
24. Syrinx Asylum
25. artjuvenation
26. tattered edge
27. Holly Llama
28. Altered by the Sea
29. Melody M. Nunez
30. Cowboy's Sweetheart
31. d'blogala

-------------------------------
Sending out big congratulations to Elle from elle in da coop and Barbara I! They are the two winners of the giveaway. Each will receive signed copies of my book The Pulse of Mixed Media and my two new workshop DVDs Easy Mixed Media Techniques for the Art Journal and Easy Mixed Media Surface Techniques.

Parallax Art Fair

I am pleased to announce that I will be an exhibiting artist at the inaugural Parallax Art Fair in New York City. This event has been held in London for the last four years and makes its premier in NYC with a private viewing on Friday, August 3rd from 7 to 9pm. The Fair is open to the public from 11am to 7pm on Saturday, August 4th and from 11am to 5pm on Sunday, August 5th. Admission is free and you can obtain complimentary tickets in advance online.


More than 200 emerging artists from more than 25 countries will be exhibiting, guaranteeing a wide variety of styles, media, and prices. Participating artists and examples of their artwork can be found on the online catalogue. The event is being held at 82 Mercer Street, a beautiful 50,000 square foot event space in the heart of Soho.


I hope that all of you in close proximity to NYC will be able to attend. I will be exhibiting artwork from two of my recent series: "Passages" and "Interior Angles." I plan to be at my booth for the entire event and I look forward to meeting any of you who are able to attend.

It's Still Life: Chapter 6

Welcome to the 5th edition of The Pulse -- The State of the Art -- a survey in words and pictures of the online artist community. The Pulse is a collaborative project that aims to introduce you to new artists, help you get to know familiar faces even more, and allow you access into the creative hearts and minds of a very talented crew of individuals. More than 130 artists have answered a series of questions which make up The Pulse. Their responses will be presented in a series of online posts which will run every Sunday.
Style File, Techniques & Tools, and Master Class were the first three projects posted and links to all these posts can be found on the sidebar of my blog. The fourth project, It's Still Life, continues now...


Participants were asked to photograph a still life that you create using an array of objects.
------------------------------------------
Marion Bockelmann
"I love letters in any form!"

Nelda Ream
"This photo is a tiny spot in the studio where my paint brushes stand in front of an inspiration board. The background image on the board is an ATC I painted."

Angela Cartwright
"My guest bathroom is filled with interesting items...so no one gets bored while visiting."

Cyn Richardson
"Things on my desk."

Dina Wakley

Leslie Marsh

Robert Stockton

Terry Garrett
"I used the scanner as a camera for this and put objects on the scanner - including my hand - and then I altered it in Photoshop."

Kesha Bruce

Pam McKnight

Marie Otero

"This is my minimalist version."
------------------------------------------
Next "It's Still Life" will be held on Sunday, July 15th.

500,000 Thank Yous!

How do I wrap my head around the adventure of a lifetime?
And how do I even begin to express my thanks to each and every one of you?


Last week the counter on my blog passed 500,000. Half a million hits. I don't even know how to integrate that number. It truly boggles my mind. The Altered Page has become all that I dared hope it would. And more. All of you -- your visits, your comments, your emails, your blogs, and your support -- have become as important to me as my paint. 
I sometimes wonder what my life in art would be like today without all that the Internet has offered. It has provided me with a community, an education, a forum, and an outlet. It has offered me opportunities to share and sell my art. It has given me a voice. It has opened doors which I have happily and eagerly walked through. I am a broken record when I say that I would not be the artist I am today without my blog. And without all of you!
 Those of you who know me, know how focused and single-minded I can be when I have a goal that I am passionate about. And I have worked very hard to create the world of The Altered Page. But I can honestly say that every bit of effort and time that I have dedicated to this has been more than worth it. And I am beyond excited thinking about the ideas I have for future projects and all the amazing experiences that have yet to unfold.
2012 has been and continues to be a dream year for me. It has been a year of firsts, some of which have yet to even be announced. These have included my first book and my first set of workshop DVDs. And as a small token of thanks to you, I would like to offer you a gift. In blog-speak that translates to a giveaway.
To be eligible, all you need to do is leave a comment to this post AND make sure that I have a way of contacting you -- Blogger often doesn't automatically post the emails of commenters. Comments will be closed at the end of day on Monday, July 9th.
Two people will win and the prizes are two bundles, each of which will include signed copies of:
The Pulse of Mixed Media: Secrets and Passions of 100 Artists Revealed Click here for a preview
Easy Mixed Media Surface Techniques Click here for a video preview
Easy Mixed Media Techniques for the Art Journal Click here for a video preview
Good luck to everybody and thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Lights, Camera, Action

We live in a world of mixed media. Coming from me, that statement would typically refer to all the different approaches, supplies, and mediums of making art. But at this moment, it refers to the many different vehicles for sharing information: books, blogs, social media platforms, newspapers (I still read those!), magazine, videos, etc.

This year I was formally introduced to the DVD when I traveled out to the headquarters of North Light Books in Blue Ash, Ohio in March. I spent a week there, with an amazing team of people, filming two workshop DVDs that have just been released. Of course I could not resist pulling out my camera at every free moment to document the experience. I thought you might like to have a glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes...


Walking onto the set for the first time. Yikes...so many cameras. Where do I look? That is Kristy Conlin in the background, an editor at North Light and my producer for the shoot.


I call this the dashboard, where the video director Ric Deliantoni ran the show.


There were three cameras filming the action at all times. Hmmmm...wonder what is my best angle?


Who knew I would have my own clapper? I was tempted to 'borrow' this as a souvenir but something told me I best leave it behind for the next DVD shoot.

My view from the worktable. Thanks for the smile face guys!

After it was done, they ran the tape as part of the filming production process. I glimpsed with one eye closed to see how I had done.

The crew at North Light. They were beyond wonderful...100% professional and 200% fun.
From start to finish, this has been a memorable experience. And now I have given birth to two, 2.8 ounce DVDs (slipcase and all).



Click here for information, previews, and to purchase the DVDs from North Light Shop. Save an extra 10% on this DVD and all other products in the shop by entering coupon code ALTEREDPAGE10.

The DVDs are now also available for purchase, immediate download, or as part of a subscription package at Artists Network TV.

It's Still Life: Chapter 5

Welcome to the 5th edition of The Pulse -- The State of the Art -- a survey in words and pictures of the online artist community. The Pulse is a collaborative project that aims to introduce you to new artists, help you get to know familiar faces even more, and allow you access into the creative hearts and minds of a very talented crew of individuals. More than 130 artists have answered a series of questions which make up The Pulse. Their responses will be presented in a series of online posts which will run every Sunday.
Style File, Techniques & Tools, and Master Class were the first three projects posted and links to all these posts can be found on the sidebar of my blog. The fourth project, It's Still Life, continues now...


Participants were asked to photograph a still life that you create using an array of objects.
------------------------------------------
Marit Barentsen
"A stone - to keep me earthly with my feet on the ground. Shells from my hometown/beach - to remember where I came from. A feather - to remind me that I can fly. A candle - to keep the fire alive. My diary/poem book from 1983 and my fave pen - I couldn't live without my 'books' and a pen."

Lise Hoffman
"This is a little collection of my home made vinegar! While I did not do the tags, I did make the vinegar inside the bottle. I love cooking. This is my second passion. I love all good things in life; eating is one of them. I cook everything especially when it is original or unknown."

Crystal Neubauer
"I love photographing objects. It was hard to narrow it down from the collection I have, but in the end, the picture of the chick is one of my all time favorites."

Arabella Grayson
"Box of Hearts"

Marcia Beckett
"The image is a collection of small things leftover from my Grandpa's house. He was a flea market dealer and tended to hoard collectibles (or anything he thought might be collectible). My brothers, my Dad and I sold 1,000's of items on Ebay after he passed away and then had an estate sale for the remaining items. It seems that these random things keep popping up that we forgot we had."

Keron Lee (aka The Colour Guru)
"I found this picture totally captivating as a statement of social & technological revolution that has taken place during my lifetime - it's out 4 year old grand daughter's bedside table in her room at our home. Along with the typical 'pretties' one would expect, you will find her PDA - mobile phone - credit card (all old ones not working) - at the ready - with her dummy (pacifier)  & iPod docking station."

Annie Kerr
"Here's a still life showing some of the tools I return to every day."

Barbara Kleinhans
"A collection of 1920's light switch plates I found in the barn at my family's farm."

Bleubeard and Elizabeth
"Since my obsession is rocking horses, I have included a photo of just a few of them."

Maude May
"'Clap for Sun' - I've collected hands for years - they reside on my studio windowsills and applaud as the sun (when we have it in Seattle) sinks behind the Olympics."

Liz Hampton-Derivan
"Still life with china and portrait."
------------------------------------------

Next "It's Still Life" will be held on Sunday, July 8th.

DVDs: Now Available

I am excited to announce that my two new workshop DVDs are now available for purchase online at the North Light Shop. Each of these DVDs focus on introducing and demonstrating approaches to mixed media art that can immediately be integrated into the artwork that you currently make. While the workshops are heavy on technique, each also provides direction that you can follow to create several specific mixed media projects.

Easy Mixed Media Surface Techniques Click here for a video preview

Click here for information and to purchase. Save an extra 10% on this DVD and all other products in the shop by entering coupon code ALTEREDPAGE10

Easy Mixed Media Techniques for the Art Journal Click here for a video preview

Click here for information and to purchase. Save an extra 10% on this DVD and all other products in the shop by entering coupon code ALTEREDPAGE10
In the coming days, these DVDs will also be available at many of your favorite art and craft stores, as part of many different formats (including DVD purchase, immediate download, subscription package) at Artists Network TV, and on additional online outlets such as Amazon.
--------------------------------
I would like to congratulate Carol from My Treehouse Art Studio, Darlene from AFAS Gallery, and Teresa from A Magical Whimsy for being the lucky winners from my giveaway. Each of you will receive a copy of Kelly Moore's new book Absurdity is my Friend. If you were not among the winners, you can preview and purchase this amazing book right here.

Treasure Hunt

Buried Treasure - A Call for Collaborative Participants!

So many blogs...so little time. With so many wonderful art blogs to follow, it is difficult to always find the time to keep up with every new post -- let alone have the time to visit the posts that were put up before you discovered each blog.

So...three years ago I started an annual treasure hunt. Buried Treasure is about digging deep to uncover some hidden gems. The premise is simple. On Wednesday, July 11th all participating bloggers will re-post one (or more) of their favorite posts that ever appeared on their blog. As you might already know, I don't like too many rules when it comes to art. So anything goes.

Please leave a comment on this post if you would like to participate. On Wednesday, July 11th, I will post a list of all participating artists on my blog so that you can be sure to find all the Buried Treasure. Feel free to let your own readers know about this project by spotlighting it on a post on or prior to reveal day. Please (and this is important) email me with a link when your post goes up so I know to add you to the posted list on my blog.

And if you cannot wait until next week, you can click here and here to be taken to the links from 2009, here for the posts from 2010, and here for the links to the posts from 2011. These are also always available on my sidebar.

Happy hunting!

Community Rules

"I am the artist I am today because of the bigger group of artists that I am a part of..."

Join me today on Love My Art Jewelry, where Mary Jane Dodd has invited me to be a guest blogger. I chose as the theme of my post a topic that is near and dear to my heart: community and collaboration. Head on over and read my story of community-driven art and see images of some of the very many collaborations I have been a part of.
And stay tuned for an announcement tomorrow of my next online collaborative project coming in July.